ALPHA: A Student’s Perspective on the Next Gen School Everyone Is Talking About
We talk a lot about students, but we rarely talk to them—especially the ones who are actively rewriting the rules of what it means to be educated.
In the latest episode of Next Gen Schools, I got the chance to interview Kate Liemandt from Austin Scholar (her newsletter), a current Stanford University student and ALPHA School Alum who didn't wait for the system to change. Her insights provide a roadmap for any educator or parent looking to understand what "ALPHA School and 2-Hour Learning" actually looks like in practice.
The Death of "Seat Time"
One of the most profound points Kate makes is the shift from seat time (hours spent in a chair) to mastery (demonstrated competence/understanding). In a traditional school, the class moves on to Chapter 3 regardless of whether you understood Chapter 2. In Alpha School’s system, you don't move on until you "get it."
This shift removes the "swiss cheese" effect in education—where students have holes in their knowledge that eventually cause their academic foundation to collapse.
AI is the Ultimate Equalizer
While many schools are busy banning ChatGPT, Alpha is using it as a personal tutor and learning system. Kate explains how AI allows her to:
Simplify complex concepts: "Explain this like I'm 15."
Pressure test her logic: "Find the flaws in my argument."
Accelerate research: Turning hours of hunting for sources into minutes of high-level synthesis.
For Kate, AI isn't a way to "cheat" school; it's a way to supercharge learning.
From Compliance to Curiosity
The biggest hurdle in moving toward "Next Gen" schools isn't technology, it's mindset. Kate describes the transition from being a student who was "good at school" (following directions, getting A's) to being a student who is "good at learning" (asking the right questions, pursuing interests).
The goal of education shouldn't be to produce someone who can follow a rubric, but someone who can identify a problem and learn the skills necessary to solve it.
The Main Takeaways From This Podcast
Kate’s experience is a preview of the "Next Gen" student. She is independent, AI-fluent, and refuses to see her education as something that happens to her.
ALPHA worked for her, and many of her peers. But, the 2-hr learning model has also had its fair share of backlash as well.
As you’ll see in this video and podcast, we take a look at what makes it work, how it can spread as a new version of school, and what it will take to be adopted by the masses (if that is even possible).
Check it out on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music!
