Recent reports suggest that Elon Musk is set to start a new educational journey by establishing a school and a university in Austin, Texas. The entrepreneur has pledged a $100 million to kickstart this initiative, aiming to create an educational institution focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
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Musk’s donation is channeled through a charity called The Foundation, as revealed in tax filings accessed by Forbes and Bloomberg.
The goal of The Foundation is to launch a STEM focused primary and secondary school, catering to elementary through high school age children.
The initial class is expected to enroll approximately 50 students and will operate tuition-free, with provisions for need-based scholarships.
While specific details about the school remain unknown, the filing indicates that Musk experienced faculty and a curriculum that blends traditional teaching methods with hands-on learning experiences.
These experiences include simulations, case studies, fabrication/design projects, and labs, providing students with a holistic educational approach.
The plans don’t stop at the school level. The Foundation’s long term vision involves expanding its operations to create a university dedicated to education at the highest levels.
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To achieve this, the institution aims to seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Funding for the proposed university is expected to come from a combination of tuition fees and donations.
Musk’s charity, The Foundation, seems to play role in financially supporting this educational venture.
Musk dumped $2.2 billion worth of Tesla stock into The Foundation last year. In 2014, he initiated a small private school named Ad Astra, located within a SpaceX facility.
Ad Astra, designed for Musk’s own children and those of company employees, takes an approach by eschewing traditional grading systems and focusing on nurturing individual aptitudes and abilities.
Beyond the school and university plans, Musk has expressed interest in creating a community called Snailbrook near Austin.
This community is expected to feature a school, recreational facilities, and housing for employees of Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Company.
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He has previously voiced concerns about the quality of education in the United States. In a statement on social media platform X , Musk highlighted a degradation in the capabilities of U.S. college graduates, observations from SpaceX and Tesla.
The filing reveals that The Foundation plans to seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for the proposed university.
Moreover, the institution is envisioned to be tuition-free, indicating a commitment to accessibility. However, the document also suggests that need-based scholarships will be offered if a tuition model is implemented.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk owns approximately 6,000 acres in the Austin area, and Snailbrook is under construction, awaiting final approvals.
Elon Musk has been vocal about his concerns regarding the quality of education in the United States. In various statements on social media, including X, Musk has highlighted what he perceives as a decline in the capabilities of U.S. college graduates.
SpaceX and Tesla, the companies he heads, have reportedly observed this decline in recent years. Musk has showcased his humorous side by joking about establishing a Texas Institute for Technology, abbreviated as “TITs.” This playful comment of Musk’s trademark wit to his ambitious educational efforts.
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