Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for revolutionizing industries like space travel and electric vehicles, is stepping into early childhood education with his latest venture: a private preschool. Named Ad Astra—Latin for “To the Stars”—the school will open in Bastrop, Texas, in 2025, offering a unique STEM-focused curriculum for young children.
Ad Astra is accepting applications for children aged three to nine, with an initial capacity of 21 students. The school’s website highlights its innovative approach to education, emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning. “Ad Astra’s approach to education is centered around hands-on, project-based learning, where children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and discover solutions to real-world problems,” the website explains.
The preschool’s curriculum will integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, aligning with Musk’s vision of equipping students with practical skills for the future. Though tuition will be subsidized in the opening year, costs will later align with local private schools.
Musk’s Vision for Education
Elon Musk has a history of supporting unconventional approaches to education. In 2014, he founded another school also called Ad Astra for his children and those of SpaceX employees. That school ceased in-person operations after Musk’s children graduated, but his passion for reforming education remains evident.
In October, Musk criticized the U.S. Department of Education at a campaign event for President-elect Donald Trump, calling for sweeping changes. “The Department of Education seems to regard as its primary duty foisting propaganda on our children as opposed to getting them a good education. It’s insane,” Musk said. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life and leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.”
While Musk’s name does not appear on Ad Astra’s application materials, reports reveal that his foundation donated $100 million to fund the preschool’s launch. The school’s long-term plans include expanding into a university dedicated to STEM education.
A Broader Political Context
Ad Astra’s launch coincides with the second term of President Donald Trump, who has tasked Musk with leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a commission focused on cost-cutting across federal agencies. As debates intensify over the future of U.S. education, Musk’s involvement with DOGE positions him as an influential voice in shaping policy.
Republican lawmakers, including Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have prioritized reducing the federal government’s role in education, favoring increased parental involvement and local control. Some have called for eliminating the Department of Education altogether.
Ad Astra’s focus on STEM aligns with these political priorities, emphasizing workforce readiness and practical skills over traditional classroom teaching. Trump’s newly appointed education secretary, Linda McMahon, has also championed workforce education programs, suggesting a broader shift toward vocational and skills-based learning during the next administration.
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A Unique Model of Learning
Although Ad Astra is not a Montessori school, it adopts similar principles, focusing on child-centered education and individualized lessons. The school’s application process encourages parental involvement, stating, “Ad Astra wants parents and guardians to be actively involved and share their gifts with the community.”
The preschool’s emphasis on project-based learning and STEM subjects reflects Musk’s broader philosophy of preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly changing workforce. “We need significant reform in education,” Musk said at the October event.
What’s Next for Ad Astra?
While the preschool has yet to open its doors, its small starting capacity and innovative model are already drawing attention. A permit from the Texas Health and Human Services Department, obtained on November 14, allows the school to admit up to 21 students in its first year.
The venture also raises questions about Musk’s growing influence in education. With $100 million in funding, plans for future expansion, and Musk’s role in shaping federal education policy through DOGE, Ad Astra represents both a new direction for Musk and a potential model for private education in the U.S.
Neither Ad Astra nor Musk’s representatives responded to requests for comment, but the launch of this private preschool is set to spark conversations about the future of education, particularly in STEM fields.
As Musk continues to push boundaries in technology and now education, Ad Astra may well be another of his ambitious efforts to shape the next generation.