Elon Musk' Pre-School 'Ad Astra' Set To Revolutionize Education

After making breakthrough innovations in space and technology, Elon Musk is set to revoultionise the education system in United States. Ad Astra his latest initative, is a private Montessori inspired preschool located outside Bastrop, Texas which aims to redefine the education system.

Ad Astra is based on hands on, project-based learning, with a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). According to the official website, the school encourages children to explore, experiment and solve real-world problems. Ad Astra aims to fulfill curosity, creativity and critical thinking to prepare students not just academically but also for life’s borader challenges.

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The curriculum is ‘carefully sequenced and activity based’ to allow students to develop skills and problem-solving techniques at their own pace. This child-centered model resembles the Montessori appraoch, however, the school explicitly states it is not a Montessori institution. Ad Astra features as multi-age classrooms, uniterrrupted work periods, and practical life skills to nuture love of learning in children.

Currently, Ad Astra is opened for children aged 3 to 9, with a capacity of 21 students, later expanding to accomodate 18 children aged 3-6 and 30 children aged 6-9. The school’s website shows plans to subsidize tutition in its opening year to align future costs with local private school fees. Reportedly, Ad Astra aims to grow into a university focused on STEM learning.

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However, this is not the Musk’s first attempt to venture into the education field ,eariler in 2014, he opened up a school with the same name for his children and SpaceX employees. The earlier version of Ad Astra is no longer operational, demonstrates Musk’s interest in alternative education models.

During the Presidential election campaign, Musk criticised the U.S. Department of Education for prioritizing the ‘propaganda over practical skills’. Musk has voiced to teach children useful life skills and significant educational reforms in the past.