Texas school boosts student scores with AI tutor

A private school in Texas is experiencing a significant boost in student performance thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI) tutor. Alpha School, located in Austin, reported that students are now among the top 2% in the country for test scores. Co-founder Mackenzie Price explained that students spend two hours daily with an AI assistant. The rest of the day is dedicated to developing skills like public speaking and teamwork. Price noted that this personalized learning approach helps students progress more quickly and effectively. Junior student Elle Kristine shared her positive experience at Alpha School. She contrasted her school’s structure with that of traditional schools, where her friends often feel overwhelmed with homework. At Alpha, students complete their academic work in three-hour sessions and then pursue personal projects. For example, Kristine is developing an AI dating coach for teenagers. Alpha School is currently home to a few hundred students and plans to expand further across the U.S. Price emphasized that families are increasingly looking for personalized educational experiences, which can change how children learn and how teachers interact with them. In this model, AI helps tailor learning to each student, allowing teachers to focus on providing emotional support and motivation. Price described this balance as the "magic" of their educational approach.