Our daughter is a highly focused and motivated young person, but she had always felt like high school was a waste of her time. I wish we had found ATI sooner. She was able to spend her senior year there and just finished in their first graduating class. We are so grateful to her guides and to the leadership of the school. We wish continued success for the school and the many future students fortunate enough to attend ATI.

ATI is a precious jewel in the San Francisco independent high school scene. My son is getting in depth academics, the choice he craves in how to spend his intellectual time, college prep testing/training, an intimate community of peers that values kids who walk off the beaten track, incredible mentoring from committed teachers, and the time to pursue his non-school interests. He has just the right amount of homework, allowing him to connect to activities in the whole city and to develop not just as a student but as a well rounded citizen. The school expects a kind of independence from students that is, in our experience, both age appropriate and liberating.

We have seen an enormous improvement in our 13-year-old daughter’s self-confidence, independence and maturity since she started at ATI. She is also more articulate and focussed. Thanks to the Socratic Method which is practiced throughout the school every day, our daughter is learning to think critically, form opinions and participate in intellectual discussions. We are also impressed with how her writing skills have improved and evolved.We love that she can choose electives that thrill and engage her, such as Film, Design, Art and Chemistry, and that she is encouraged to discover and pursue personal interests that are meaningful to her. She can also work at her own pace and receives one-on-one tutoring to help her on her journey of self-discovery. Her guides are supportive, involved and engaged and care deeply about our daughter’s welfare.The collaborative nature of the school encourages the students to work in teams, as well as on their own. When you visit the school, it is amazing to see so many students who are confident, articulate and so comfortable in their own skins.

Its hard to say enough good things about this school. I had quite a precocious, independent-minded teen on my hands with few educational options as we approached high school and I was very apprehensive. We are very thankful we found ATI. From the process of determining if ATI was a good fit through my daughters first year at the school, several things have impressed me:Michael Strong is passionate about mentoring young people and seems to understand and connect with them. Hes also assembled a fabulous staff team who share a genuine affection for the kids they mentor and teach.Students have the chance to ask relevant questions and do work relevant to their lives. Their education is shaped and driven by things that inspire them. This makes all the difference.The rigor is impressive without being oppressive. Our daughter has had the chance to take AP classes at 12 and is thriving on the challenge.  High expectations are set for students and because their education is shaped by what drives them, they seem to rise to meet those standards and still have time to grow and process because there are less boxes to check off. The evaluations are especially helpful in taking on the role of coach for an increasingly independent teen.

ATI is a positive, necessary, well-crafted and refreshing alternative to traditional big box school teaching methodology. We found it an ideal fit for our child who benefitted from their empathetic and open minded approaching to education which fosters a self-motivated mindset. I can happily and enthusiastically endorse their program for the positive impact it has had on our son.

5 Stars for The Academy of Thought and IndustryThe Academy of Thought and Industry is like a Trade School for CEO’s. Really it is much more than that because the school inspires students with a clear trajectory toward how to create a magnificent life at the intersection of their passions and skills. I found ATI during a deep search for the right environment for my two very different gifted children who bring unique talents to the world, that were lost in public school’s common core.The Academy of Thought and Industry personalizes the programs and approach for each individual student and provides a personal coach who is in close contact with the students and parents for academic guidance and socio-emotional support through a vitally developmental time in children’s lives to ensure success all along the continuum of learning…not just at semester end. The school is filled with brilliant, open-minded people with no boundaries of learning opportunities for the students.Coaching students with a big-picture view of the world and encouraging them to contribute to it is a gift to our future. The students are grounded in math, science, Socratic social studies and the arts. They customize students’ educations to reach their individual goals. If a student desires an invitation to an Ivy League school, their education is chiseled in that direction.We visited the Academy of Thought and Industry in Austin, Texas before enrolling in the San Francisco, California location. The students were well-adjusted, self-motivated, proud of their diverse and impressive accomplishments and confident they were working toward their personal desires to contribute to society in a positive way. Architects, Engineers, Photographers, Investment Brokers, Choreographers, Mathematicians, You-Tubers, Producers, Designers, Inventors, Artists, were all sharing their skills and ideas with their friends at school, sharing partnerships and collaborations capitalizing on each other’s skill sets

Our daughter is relatively new to ATI but quickly settled in due to  ATI’s thoughtful and principled thinking behind their curriculum and their classroom culture. ATI has allowed our daughter more breathing room to pursue what truly interests her and to work at her own pace. She is now applying responsible stewardship over her education rather than experiencing “ the one sizes fits all” education that is so common in most schools. She is more focused and excited to get to school and do her best work.

My son knew within 90 minutes of speaking with Michael Strong ( Founder) that ATI, SF was where he wanted to engage in learning. The traditional system of education was just not working for him.ATI has a very distinct way of making a child feel seen, heard and valued. After only 3 months of being at ATI, I saw a big change in my son’s demeanour - a confident, bright-eyed boy emerged.I can attribute this to the quality of the connections this school has invested in... between faculty and students and amongst the students themselves. Connections that can not be replaced nor duplicated by anything electronic.After a year in the school, my son has discovered and gained a deeper understanding of his personal interests and how this supports his individuality. The school environment has encouraged him to pursue his interest in History and managed to illuminate a path he can potentially pursue in the future...one that is aligned with his sense of self.Two of their core classes capture the essence of the school’s magic -1) LIFE Design which allows its students the opportunity to give form to their future. Where was that when I was in school ?!2) Socratic Humanities where they experience and gain tools on how to explore ideas and find their truth through discussions with teachers and students. How empowering is that !Within a year and at his own pace, I’ve seen how my son is discovering and further developing his strengths and acknowledging and working on his weaknesses. He is comfortable seeking help and support when needed and is assured that it is all within reach.All this while making deep connections with people and experiences that support his well-being - never neglecting its impact on the mind.This self-awareness is priceless.An educational facility DESIGNED to make this possible for my child can only be heaven sent. In our modern world, it is hard to find educators committed to honouring the role of a child in pursuing their own education. Its source and inspiration can only be Love and Humility.Today, contrary to the past few years, we no longer have discussions with our son about the importance of being / staying in school. Through his experience with ATI, he has recognised the relevance and power of a love for learning. He doesnt want to miss a day!If you’re considering ATI for your child, visit and have your child feel it out - they’ll know whether it’s for them or not. Trusting in that is where this special journey begins.

When we were looking for a high school for our daughter in the fall of 2018, ATI stood out for us in the sea of schools with its approach to education that is tailored around individual interests. We appreciated ATIs philosophy of empowering the individual by providing the tools to be curious and creative rather than memorizing and regurgitating information. Our daughter has been an ATI student since fall 2018, and she has absolutely flourished into a confident and smart young woman in this short amount of time. She is eager to go to school every day and she is excited and passionate about her projects. ATI s teaching model is definitely progressive and with the changing times, we can only hope that more schools can follow suit one day.

ATI has been a godsend for our family. Our son needed a break from the academic pressures of boarding school but still wanted a rigorous learning experience. The choose-your-own-adventure method of teaching, learning, and achieving at ATI provided a pressure-free environment from which our son could go deep in math and chemistry, explore socratic method, and whet his appetite for SATs and AP testing. The 10:00-4:00, Monday-Thursday schedule saved us many a household battle, as it builds in time for teenage sleep and non-academic interests. The staff at ATI are empathic, intellectually engaging, and flexible as all get out. Were not sure how we wouldve made it through this year without the support of ATI.