The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: SVPete on October 18, 2026, 12:18:17 PM
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New Silicon Valley academy offers higher-ed alternative as fewer Americans see college as important
https://www.campusreform.org/article/new-silicon-valley-academy-offers-higher-ed-alternative-fewer-americans-see-college-important/30763 (https://www.campusreform.org/article/new-silicon-valley-academy-offers-higher-ed-alternative-fewer-americans-see-college-important/30763)
A new Silicon Valley-backed academy is preparing to offer high school graduates an alternative to the traditional four-year college path as fewer Americans say a college education is very important.
The Horowitz Andreessen Academy in San Francisco describes itself as a private, full-time, in-person school aimed at young people coming out of high school, particularly students who otherwise might attend a four-year university.
Its first cohort is expected to include roughly 50 students in a tuition-free, one-year program beginning in fall 2027. Admissions will emphasize “proof of work,” including what applicants have built or otherwise accomplished.
The Horowitz Andreessen Academy centers its program on technology and leadership skills, with students expected to pursue projects and gain exposure to employers in the technology sector.
Andreessen Horowitz incubated the Academy and is investing $35 million in the project. Marc Andreessen and Erik Torenberg serve on its board alongside founder and CEO Gagan Biyani.
Biyani previously co-founded Udemy and Maven and his career has focused on building alternative models for education and professional learning.
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Its founding partners include tech heavyweights like Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Palantir. Partners provide a range of support from curriculum development, resources, and networking opportunities. More than 40 additional companies have signed on as hiring partners.
A lot can be learned in "just" a year, especially when the "a lot" is focused a particular set of skills and subjects specifically necessary for those skills.
This idea, done well and expanded in location could undermine universities ... deservedly.