Nashville Educator Wants to Build an AI School That Stays Human
Nashville Educator Wants to Build an AI School That Stays Human
Good afternoon.
This week, we have coverage of a proposed Nashville charter school that plans to build around artificial intelligence while keeping students and teachers at the center. Its founder, Ben Schumacher, said AI would support student learning, but it will not replace teachers or give children unlimited access to chatbots.
I don't want to see a school that gives unfettered use of screens or AI chatbots or anything. This is the wave of the future. Our kids need to have exposure to it. So, what I want to see is a school that takes into account the human piece first and foremost.
Ben Schumacher, Horizon Academies founder
By the numbers
11Young people ages 14 to 22 participating in Horizon's NextGen Fellowship to help design the school.
$1,000Stipend each NextGen Fellowship participant receives for their contributions to the design process.
Fall 2028Planned opening date for Horizon Academies with sixth grade, eventually expanding to serve grades 6-12.
Voices
Founder · Horizon Academies
We're going to treat this as seriously as we treat math. We're not going to leave it up to chance. We're going to attempt to measure competency development on it and give feedback to students on how they're doing, and it's going to be just as rigorous as core academics.
Ben Schumacher, on the Human Foundations curriculumFounder · Horizon Academies
They want school to be a source of joy and human connection.
Ben Schumacher, on feedback from NextGen Fellowship participants
What to watch
Mon Nov 3
Future Leaders Lab at Belmont University
Free one-day camp for third and fourth graders introducing civic leadership through student-created projects and a mock legislative process. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 20 spots available.
Tue Nov 11
Upstanders Lab at Belmont University
Free one-day camp for third and fourth graders focusing on standing up for others in a community. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 20 spots available.
Mon Dec 1
Horizon Academies Letter of Intent Expected
Schumacher plans to submit a letter of intent to open the charter school, with a full application expected in February 2027.
That's a wrap on this week's Beam. Look for our Friday Flicker newsletter tomorrow.
