Chicago’s first teacher-free school opened on September 8. Students learn through AI-powered educational programs rather than conventional classroom instruction. The private school, Alpha Chicago, is located at 350 East South Water Street and serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The school follows what it calls a “two-hour learning” model. Students spend about two hours each morning studying math, reading and science on computers and tablets. The programs adjust the difficulty and pace of the work according to each student’s knowledge and the pace at which they master the material.
The rest of the school day is devoted to financial and technological literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship, coding and other practical skills. 
Instead of hiring teachers to deliver lessons, the school employs staff members known as “guides.” Their role is to supervise and motivate students and lead workshops and other activities. According to Axios, these positions do not require a teaching license.
The model was developed by MacKenzie Price, co-founder and CEO of the Alpha School network. She claims that students can learn more in two hours than they would during a conventional school day because the assignments are tailored to their knowledge and abilities.
Claims of Faster Learning and the Role of Teachers
However, the company’s claim that its students learn “twice as fast” has not been confirmed by independent long-term research. Experts do not dispute that personalized learning programs can be useful, but they caution that digital tutoring systems are not a complete substitute for qualified teachers.
Gerald LeTendre, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, warns against reducing education to individualized tutoring and completing assignments. He argues that AI can support students but should be used in an environment where they also have direct contact with qualified teachers.
The school’s opening also raises questions about access to this type of education. Annual tuition at the Chicago campus is $55,000, placing the model largely beyond the reach of families without high incomes.
The Alpha School network was founded in Austin, Texas, in 2014. The company has announced plans to open schools in 27 additional U.S. cities, including Boston, Atlanta, Denver, Nashville and Charlotte.
Sources: ABC7 Chicago, Alpha Chicago, Axios. Photo: Printscreem
