Respark Your Child's Joy for Learning
The Socratic Experience is the only high-touch virtual school that equips students through Socratic dialogue, mentoring, and creative and entrepreneurial projects for lifelong happiness and success.
Our graduates excel at top post-secondary institutions
Credentials That Open Doors
Your child needs a school that prepares them for life—not just exams. Traditional schools focus on grades, ignoring the unique abilities that matter most in the real world. At TSE, we combine creative and entrepreneurial projects your child loves with academic rigor to equip them with the skills and credentials to excel in school, work, and life.
Braden Blacker developed and grew his digital talent and marketing agency from zero to $200K annually and credits TSE for his achievement.
Build Genuine Friendships
Your child needs a school that fosters social and emotional growth with academics. Traditional schools isolate students, exposing them to bullying and loneliness that erodes confidence and joy for learning. Children build lasting friendships at TSE through clubs, Socratic dialogue, and creative projects.
“I will never forget his (Michael’s) words to me: ’95 percent of Josh’s difficulties in public school will go away in a school environment like ours.’ That was the moment I knew our son was destined for something different.”
Students Shape Their Education
You want your child to think critically and take pride in their learning choices. Traditional schools disengage students by limiting their ability to explore personal interests. At TSE, students align courses and creative and entrepreneurial projects with their own definitions of success. This ownership builds self-reliance, creativity, and problem-solving skills that drive success in college, careers, and ventures.
Son Cliff left high school as a coding autodidact, becoming a senior software engineer at SpaceX, Tesla, and Waymo with no high school or college degree.
Programs Parents Wished They Had
Our personalized pathways and supportive community empower our students to thrive academically and socially
Empowering Students to Own Their Education
Whether enrolled part-time or full-time, students have one-on-one mentorship sessions for academic help, building healthy habits, and working on personal projects—from raising funds for a business to writing a novel. This approach helps them take charge of their learning and use their knowledge in ways that matter to them.
Humanities Block
Our Humanities program covers classical works from around the world. Students enter a mutually respectful space where they learn to reason, debate, and question ideas from any time and culture. By analyzing challenging texts, they improve their writing and understanding skills, leading to higher-than-average SAT verbal gains. We also offer 20 hours a week of writing support, including one-on-one tutoring and feedback via Google Docs, to help students strengthen their communication skills.
STEM Block
In our STEM block, students work at their own pace with adaptive math software, hands-on science labs, and discussions about the scientific process. Whether they want to move quickly through math or take more time to master basic concepts, they can access 20 hours of one-on-one math tutoring each week. Class problem-solving sessions also promote teamwork and resilience. This blend of self-paced learning and peer and teacher support builds strong quantitative skills essential for innovation.
Hear From Our Parents and Students
Michael Strong
Founder and Chief Visionary
Michael Strong has pioneered school models that accelerate student achievement for 35 years.
He developed a public program where minority female students acquired four years of critical thinking skills in four months. He then led Montessori-inspired secondary programs, including The Winston Academy, where middle school students excelled in AP exams, making it the nation’s most advanced school, and Moreno Valley High School, ranked 36th by Newsweek among over 20,000 U.S. public high schools.
Later, Michael co-founded KoSchool, combining his approach to AP coursework and SAT improvement with entrepreneurial and creative projects. KoSchool became the model for The Academy of Thought and Industry, the high school program for the largest Montessori network in the United States.
Michael wrote his graduate dissertation under the advisement of Gary Becker, a Nobel laureate. He authored The Habit of Thought, a comprehensive book on teaching through Socratic dialogue, and co-authored Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World’s Problems with John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods.
Michael’s primary focus has always been his students and his family, including his wife, Magatte Wade, a serial Senegalese entrepreneur featured in TED talks and conversations with Jordan Peterson and Lex Fridman.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hold daily, synchronous classes primarily online. Students also stay connected via Slack and a student-run Discord server for study groups and socializing. Optional in-person trips and gatherings provide additional face-to-face opportunities.
Novice (3–5), Middle School (6–8), and High School (9–12) students can join, either part-time or full-time. International students participate alongside local peers through synchronous online classes. We tailor course blocks by grade and availability, ensuring flexible scheduling for all.
We serve three levels: Novice (Grades 3–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). Full-time students have two core classes (Humanities & STEM) four days a week, plus Wednesday electives. Part-time students choose a single two-hour block (e.g., just Humanities or just STEM).
Tuition ranges from $6,000 to $16,000 depending on the program and grade level. All include 1:1 mentorship, access to a strong learning community, and our school program. Financial aid is available through The Socratic Experience and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
The Socratic Experience offers both unaccredited and accredited high school diplomas. Families can choose the best path based on their future goals. Our approach ensures rigorous academic, self-starter, and critical-thinking skills regardless of accreditation.
To complete your enrollment, please provide a recent report card, a transcript, and any applicable plans such as an IEP or a 504 plan.
Students need a computer, a stable internet connection, and a camera that remains on during class. Live participation is essential for Socratic discussions and interactive learning. Slack and other online platforms support communication outside of class.
For novice students, we incorporate regular movement breaks to help limit continuous screen exposure. Middle and high school students receive a 10‑minute break during each class session. Our guides actively monitor student engagement and can intervene if they notice a student is distracted—by asking a question to refocus them. If the behavior continues and disrupts the class, the guide may remove the student from the session, follow up with the family, and arrange a meeting to address the issue.
If a student experiences equipment failure or other technical issues that hinder their participation, they should inform their guide immediately. Should the problem prevent meaningful engagement, the guide may remove the student from the session and follow up with the family to resolve the issue. Please note that our camera policy is non-negotiable, so maintaining a functioning camera is required at all times.
They talk throughout class, engaging in debates, group problem-solving, and Socratic discussions. They connect on Slack and a student-run Discord server for study groups and casual chats outside class. We also organize in-person trips to places like Greece and major U.S. cities, boosting real-life friendships.
We support a healthy lifestyle through electives such as “movement,” support in physical activities through projects, e.g., martial arts, and other student-chosen initiatives.
Our aim is for students to achieve 100% attendance and punctuality, though a minimum of 90% attendance is required for full credit. Students are expected to avoid distractions, actively listen, critically engage with their peers, and contribute meaningfully to discussions. To fully participate, each student must have uninterrupted internet access, a laptop or desktop with a working microphone and camera, and a quiet learning space away from busy areas at home.
Tired of One-Size-Fits-All Education?
At TSE, we secure your child’s future by integrating academic rigor with support for creative and entrepreneurial initiatives—be it writing a 200,000-word novel, devising a fundraising strategy, or developing a business plan.
