[Kevin_S]

I know it doesn't fall neatly into any of those categories, but I'd love some feedback on my idea:

I want to create an organization that is essentially a 6 week retreat for students before they begin college. Selecting the best applicants possible, they will go through rigorous training to become their most successful selves, covering Academics, Social life, Health, and Lifestyle topics. Elements of secrecy will help it's applicant pool, I was heavily inspired by the Bohemian Club.

Long term, the alumni network itself will more than make up for the cost, in turn making the applicant pool stronger and stronger.

It's an aggressive plan, and requires years of building up from the ground. But it's my dream to make it happen.

[MikeTheGreat]

"Selecting the best applicants possible"

I predict stunning success, based on this sentence alone.

That said - I think that providing help for people who are already doing well is nice, but it doesn't really support the real goal of public education: educating (all of) the public.

Unless you're thinking that this will be a great for-profit biz, with the most successfully students+parents most able to pay top dollar for this?

In which case - yeah, you've got a solid idea. It's essentially the same as idea as going to Harvard/Yale/Cornell/etc. If you can get a good round of 'seed families' (students+already successful parents) it just might work.

[Kevin_S]

Sorry I didn't see your comment until now.

Right, it is intended to be a for-profit business, not really interested in tackling better education for everyone.

Long term I think a great case will be made for taking some % of students that couldn't afford it, just based on their accomplishments/skills to date.

Rich parents send their under-14 yr olds to a summer camp (just for fun & MAYBE some sports lessons) and pay 10k+. For a program proven to boost their kids' chance of success, I think they'd be willing to pay even more than that.