Rethinking School: Controversial Ideas Reshaping K–12 Education (Part 2 of 4)

In the first post of this series, we peeled back the curtain on the shifting sand within our educational system—from families unbundling their learning experiences to teens pursuing unique paths through mastery-based models and career training instead of the traditional college route. It is becoming clear that we are living through a once-in-a-century transformation in how young people learn, grow, and prepare for the world ahead.

But we’re just getting started.

Today, we explore five more controversial ideas that are challenging the structure, people, and purpose of school itself. Some spark fear or skepticism. Others ignite hope. All are worthy of our attention.

If you care about the future of education—whether as a parent, educator, or policymaker—these are the conversations we must be having.

Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

Until recently, AI felt like a tool of the future. Today, it’s in our pockets, our browsers, and increasingly, our classrooms. Tools like ChatGPT, Khanmigo, and adaptive learning platforms are enabling students to write, revise, translate, and solve problems with speed and personalization never before seen.

Exploring the ocean from anywhere

Critics of AI in schools worry about overreliance, cheating, and the loss of authentic human thought. Others raise important concerns about equity, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. These are not small issues.

But here’s what we can’t ignore: when paired with thoughtful instruction, AI is helping struggling students catch up, expanding the creativity of advanced learners, and freeing teachers to focus on relationships and feedback instead of grading paperwork.

OECD data shows that AI-enhanced classrooms are already seeing increased comprehension and retention, particularly among students who were previously falling behind. Personalized prompts, immediate feedback, and adaptive tools are enabling students to engage at their level—not at the pace of the slowest or fastest in the room.

And beyond the classroom, AI fluency is opening doors to high-paying careers. Prompters, AI analysts, and data trainers are already earning six-figure salaries in emerging tech industries. Students who understand how to communicate with machines—to prompt, refine, and guide AI tools—are entering a job market that didn't exist five years ago.

At Surf Skate Science, we’re beginning to explore how students can use AI to build business plans, design sustainable skate gear, or analyze climate data. When AI becomes a co-pilot, not the driver, students learn faster and think deeper.

The Rise of Microschools and Learning Pods

What began as a pandemic workaround has grown into a movement. Microschools—small, agile, community-based learning hubs—are flipping the education model on its head.

In these spaces, you won’t find bells ringing every 50 minutes or teachers lecturing from the front. Instead, learning is student-driven, place-based, and often multi-age. Kids collaborate on projects, pursue individual goals, and build relationships in a safe, personalized environment.

Colossal Academy in Fort Lauderdale

Skeptics argue that microschools are elitist or lack accountability. Without state-mandated oversight or traditional benchmarks, how do we know students are learning?

But the families who choose this path will tell you: the proof is in their kids. Students who were anxious, bored, or burned out are reengaging. Teens who struggled in large schools are thriving in small communities. At Surf Skate Science, we’ve seen students with IEPs and unique learning profiles blossom when given voice, flexibility, and hands-on work that matters.

While microschools might not be the right choice for every student or family, they offer a glimpse of what education can be when trust, relevance, and belonging take priority.

Redefining the Teacher’s Role and Rethinking School

Once seen as the gatekeepers of knowledge, teachers are now being asked to play a different role: that of facilitator, mentor, designer, coach. It’s a massive shift—and not one our systems have fully supported.

In traditional schools, teachers are still largely evaluated on test scores and locked into scripted curriculum. But the most impactful learning environments are those where teachers are trusted to lead with creativity and adapt to students' needs.

Yet when educators are given autonomy and support, magic happens. Gallup surveys show that teacher satisfaction soars when they are empowered to experiment and lead.

At Surf Skate Science, our educators aren’t just instructors. They are expedition guides, connecting kids to architects, engineers, and environmentalists. They scaffold projects, mediate real-life dilemmas, and coach students through failure and iteration. In short, they teach like artists, not assembly line workers.

Creating Classrooms of Respect, Not Politics

Few things have become more politicized in education than curriculum debates around identity and inclusion. While the intentions behind inclusive education often stem from a desire to foster understanding and safety, we must tread carefully when navigating beliefs and values that differ from home to home.

We believe that every student matters. That each child should feel valued, seen, and safe. But that doesn’t mean schools should become battlegrounds for political ideology.

Instead, let’s return to something fundamental: every person is worthy of dignity. Our classrooms should be places where kindness is practiced, curiosity is encouraged, and respectful dialogue is taught. That means we don’t shy away from the fact that we are different—we embrace it. And we teach students how to engage with others who think, believe, or look differently without compromising respect.

Every student matters

At Surf Skate Science, we model this through mentorship, shared projects, and a culture of service. We don’t push personal agendas—we create a space where differences are explored thoughtfully, and kindness is the standard.

We don’t need indoctrination in classrooms. We need compassion, respect, and the courage to love our neighbors.

Dismantling the Industrial School Model

Perhaps the most foundational question we must ask is this: why does school still look like a factory?

Age-based grouping. Fixed schedules. Ringing bells. Standardized curriculum. This system wasn’t designed for creative problem solvers or thoughtful citizens. It was designed for efficiency and compliance.

Traditional classrooms have not changed but the world has

But the world has changed. And so must school.

Innovative programs like Colossal Academy and Acton Academy in For Lauderdale are leading the way in rethinking school. These models ditch the assembly line and reimagine school as an incubator for real-world learning. Students design urban plans, launch businesses, write policy proposals, or contribute to community health initiatives.

At Surf Skate Science, we build skateparks, not just grades. We study wave physics at the beach, not just in a textbook. When students learn through doing, they develop grit, purpose, and passion.

What Comes Next

The future of learning won’t be defined by a single reform or new policy. It will be shaped by bold communities willing to imagine something better. From AI-powered creativity to micro-sized learning labs, from teacher freedom to classrooms rooted in mutual respect—we are beginning to see a new model emerge.

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll look at how play, VR, civic spaces, youth-led learning, and the elimination of grades are changing what’s possible for the next generation of learners.

We’re just scratching the surface. Stick with us. The future is unfolding, and we need every voice at the table. References:

Brynjolfsson, E. (n.d.). AI won’t replace managers, but managers who use AI will replace those who don’t. (Paraphrased quote widely attributed to Erik Brynjolfsson.)

Gallup. (2022). State of America’s schools: The path to winning again in education. https://www.gallup.com/education

GLSEN. (2021). The 2021 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in our nation’s schools. https://www.glsen.org/research/2021-national-school-climate-survey

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2024). Education at a glance: OECD indicators. https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance

VELA Education Fund. (2023). Microschooling & nontraditional learning: Parent satisfaction and student outcomes report. https://velaedfund.org

High Tech High. (n.d.). Project-based learning resources and outcomes. https://www.hightechhigh.org

Big Picture Learning. (n.d.). Student-centered, real-world learning models. https://www.bigpicture.org

Colossal Academy. (n.d.). About our learner-centered model. https://www.colossalacademy.org

Action Academies. (n.d.). Redesigning education with relevance and action. https://www.actionacademies.org