S2E308: MacKenzie's Advice Column: Answering Your Questions (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this episode, MacKenzie answers questions from parents, students, and educators navigating everything from boredom in elementary school to implementing AI in classrooms and starting microschools. She shares practical guidance on screen time, mindset shifts, school fit, and where to start, whether you have a toddler or a teen.

In this episode, MacKenzie answers questions from parents and students navigating everything from boredom in elementary school to implementing AI in classrooms and starting microschools. She shares practical guidance on screen time, mindset shifts, school fit, and where to start, whether you have a toddler or a teen.

After polling our Substack community, one request rose to the top: more real, concrete examples of what students and Guides are actually doing during the school day. In Part 2 of this audience-selected episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha Guide Cameron to walk through what a day at Alpha High truly looks like in practice. From the structure of the day to the “high standards, high support” culture that shapes confidence and independence, this conversation offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how Alpha operates and what students experience firsthand.

After polling our Substack community, one request rose to the top: more real, concrete examples of what students and Guides are actually doing during the school day. In Part 1 of this audience-selected episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha Guide Cameron to walk through what a day at Alpha High truly looks like in practice. From the structure of the day to the “high standards, high support” culture that shapes students' confidence and independence, this conversation offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how Alpha operates and what students experience firsthand.

In this episode, MacKenzie and Alpha High student Sloka continue their conversation on Alpha's Brain Lift. An ever-evolving compilation of research that students work on all year, the Brain Lift works to deepen expertise and form a strong grasp of knowledge. Parents and educators will get a behind the scenes look into how this type of exercise can be replicated at home or in any classroom.

In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha High student Sloka to explore Alpha's Brain Lift- an ever-evolving compilation of research that students work on all year. Sloka breaks down how Alpha high schoolers build rigorous, structured expertise around their chosen topics, moving from facts to insights to their own bold "spiky POV." In this episode, parents and educators will get a behind the scenes look into how Alpha guides students toward self-directed, high-level research that fosters genuine mastery and curiosity beyond traditional schoolwork.

In Part 2 of this mini-series on Red Flags, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning environment is truly supporting a child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and long-term development.

How do you know if challenges at school are just part of growing up, or if they're signaling something deeper? In this episode, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning environment is truly supporting a child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and long-term development.

In Part 2 of this conversation, MacKenzie and Alpha’s Director of Admissions, Cara Wilkinson, turn their focus to the application and admissions process at Alpha. Cara walks through how families typically move from initial curiosity to enrollment, what the school looks for beyond traditional markers, and why some parents end up saying no to Alpha. The conversation also offers practical guidance for parents navigating school decisions more broadly, including questions to ask, tradeoffs to consider, and how to evaluate whether any learning environment is truly serving their child- whether or not Alpha is part of their path.

After speaking with thousands of families over the years, certain patterns begin to emerge. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Cara Wilkinson, Alpha Austin’s Director of Admissions, to explore the common threads she sees when families start questioning whether their current school environment is truly working for their child. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across higher education, admissions, and education technology, Cara shares the deeper concerns that often sit beneath surface-level frustrations- and what parents tend to prioritize once they move beyond simply wanting school to be “fine.” The conversation also offers a clear, practical look at how families can think more intentionally about fit, values, and long-term outcomes when navigating school decisions.