October 02nd, 2026

Sarasota, FL – Star Lab, a small school offering personalized learning in Newtown, Sarasota, has been selected as one of 26 finalists for the 2026 Yass Prize.

Known as the “Pulitzer of Education Innovation,” the $1 million Yass Prize rewards education providers that exemplify the STOP principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless education.

"In 2021, my husband Jeff and I founded the Yass Prize to recognize education innovators who refused to let students fall behind," Janine Yass, co-founder of the prize, said, "this reflected our goal. Five years later, this remarkable 2026 cohort shows how far that movement has grown – creating student-centered solutions for every kind of learner while expanding opportunities for families across America."

Star Lab began as a kindergarten program in 2024, with just five students, and has been growing ever since. In the 25-26 school year, Star Lab educated 20 children in grades K-3rd, and this year the school has expanded to two Newtown locations, serving 50 students in K-5th grade.

“Star Lab isn’t trying to mimic public schools,” says Alison Rini, School Founder and Head of School. “We know there are children and families who fall through the cracks. With Star Lab, we created a program that doesn’t leave anyone behind, with our small class sizes, high teacher-student ratios, personalized learning paths, and frequent movement breaks.”

Star Lab will join 25 schools to learn from nationally recognized leaders in business, education, entrepreneurship, technology, and public policy.

Additionally, this initiative aims to strengthen and scale their organizations.

Star Lab was chosen because the school’s design allows it to achieve accelerated results. Children who previously struggled with reading, math, or behavior make progress due to the school’s personalized approach. And children who are academically advanced can soar ahead. “We set out to design a school based on learning science. We do consistently deliver high levels of learning, but parents are equally grateful for the joy the school has brought to their family,” says Rini.

A parent commented, “My son was doing fine academically at his previous school, but the spark was gone. He was just going through the motions. Now he comes home from Star Lab talking about his day with excitement. I couldn’t be happier.”

"What distinguishes this year’s contenders is both the strength of the organizations and the breadth of the solutions they represent,” said Jeanne Allen, Founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, which powers the Yass Prize. “These leaders are proving that education cannot be uniform and must work for every child. They are giving families more choices and creating opportunities that allow every student to thrive."

The $1 million Yass Prize winner will be announced live at the Power of Innovation Summit on October 6, 2026 in Philadelphia.

​Tags: Star Lab, Sarasota, micro-school, Yass Prize finalist, personalized learning, education innovation