Alpha School, a controversial educational program that utilizes AI-powered tutoring for core subjects, is launching an expensive nine-week summer program in the Hamptons. The program, costing $36,000 per student, aims to teach children a unique blend of life skills and traditional subjects, with an emphasis on project-based learning.

The curriculum includes modules on foraging for appetizers, preparing and serving omakase, and staging a home for sale with guidance from real estate professionals associated with the Netflix show 'Owning Manhattan.' Children will also learn financial literacy, communication, critical thinking, and goal setting through self-driven projects.

The program's unconventional approach involves students spending only two hours a day on core curriculum such as math and science, with the remainder of the day dedicated to workshops. AI-powered tutors will assist with core subjects, but AI chatbots are banned. The controversial school has students spend a mere two hours a day learning core curriculum, like math and science, and learning cursive

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman publicly supports Alpha School, having previously described it as the 'first truly breakthrough innovation in K-12 education' he had seen. Ackman hosted an information session for his Hamptons neighbors last summer to promote the school, though he has no financial ties to the institution. The school is publicly backed by billionaire Bill Ackman. He has only supported it publicly and has no financial ties to the school

The nine-week program begins June 29, with individual weeks costing $4,500. The Hamptons program is among Alpha School's most expensive, with other locations such as Austin or Boston costing around $2,000 per week. Alpha Schools Chief Communications Officer Anna Dalvantes cited higher rental costs, salaries, and cost of living as factors for the price difference. More than 250 children are reportedly signed up for parts of the Hamptons program. More than 250 students are signed up for the Hamptons program, Chief Communications Officer, Anna Dalvantes, told the Daily Mail

Alpha School currently operates under a homeschooling license in New York, after its classification as an independent school was denied by the state's Education Department. The school plans to eventually transition to independent school status. The program was founded by MacKenzie Price and Joe Liemandt, and currently has approximately 1,200 students nationwide.

In its final week, students will construct a 15-foot Trojan horse. Older students will use woodworking tools for the structure, while younger students will gather materials. One of the Hamptons' summer school programs include children learning how to stage a home for sale with Owning Manhattan star Ryan Serhant's agency

The school's approach, which aims to 'reimagine education entirely,' has drawn both interest and criticism. Some parents view the high cost as an investment in their children's future, while others question the educational value and the program's regulatory status. The New York program is run by Tasha Arnold. The Hamptons summer school is set to begin June 29