A leading advocate for innovation and opportunity in education is not surprised that Elon Musk is opening a private school in Texas.
The world’s wealthiest man has gotten a permit to open Ad Astra (Latin for “to the stars“) in Bastrop County, about 40 minutes outside of Austin. The pre-kindergarten Montessori school will reportedly teach children to sweep, draw, and explore.
Montessori observed that children learn best when they are free to move free to choose their own work and progress at their own pace.
This opening is said to be paving the way for the billionaire to build out his STEM-focused plans for K-12 schools and a college in The Lone Star State.
STEM learning is a student-centered approach to teaching that integrates the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Montessori method of education involves children’s natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods.
Jeane Allen, founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, says successful education does not look the same for everyone; it is tailored and personalized and gives students the opportunity to explore, develop, and more.
“It’s not a surprise that Elon Musk would want to bring his innovative and entrepreneurial skills to education,” she tells AFN. “He’s been incredibly outspoken about the limitations of the U.S. education system and failure.”
She says conventional K-12 education played very little role in Musk’s success.
“He’s talked about … how he was the square peg in a round hole,” Allen notes. “He developed lots of skills because he was always learning on his own. If you look at the most successful education organizations, schools, [and] alternatives out there, they do precisely what Elon Musk is planning to do.”
She calls that “an amazing development” and says parents should have the opportunity to decide between having their kids sit behind a desk and listen to social indoctrination – or more engaging, thoughtful, and interactive learning methods.
In her experience, Allen says most parents “actually want their kids to learn how to read, how to speak and communicate;” they want to know about their country, about people around them, how things happen, and be set up for success.
Ad Astra, she says, is “the wave of the future” and the kind of school that everyone should welcome and embrace.
COMMENT: “Good! We homeschool to give our kids and grandkids the best flexible advanced education. MUSK HAS THE SAME IDEAS!! Maybe after dumping the swamp he could take over the ed system and wipe it clean.” ~ A.R. Gunnoe
Written by Bronson Woodruff for American Family News ~ December 12, 2024