#United States #The School House #Yass Prize #Mimosa Jones #East Northport, New York

The School House Triumphs at 2025 Yass Prize Gala

In a celebratory evening held in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025, The School House, a pioneering educational institution located in East Northport, New York, was awarded the prestigious STOP Award for Transformational Education. Founded and led by Mimosa Jones Tunney, the school received a significant $250,000 prize that underscores its innovative approach to early childhood and elementary education.

A Historic Award for New York

This accolade marks a significant milestone as The School House becomes the first school in New York State to both be nominated for and win a Yass Prize. The award acknowledges the school’s cutting-edge initiatives aimed at redefining educational paradigms and emphasizes Long Island's emerging role as a beacon for child-centered, research-driven learning.

The American Emergent Curriculum

The Yass Foundation chose The School House for its singular creation of the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), a model that demonstrates a fusion of developmental science, kinetic learning, and compassion. According to the foundation, the AEC provides young learners with the essential foundation they deserve through an environment that promotes growth and creativity.

Mimosa Jones Tunney articulated her gratitude, stating, "This moment belongs to every Educator, every Learner, and every family who believed school could be something better. The Yass community affirmed what we see every day — that children thrive when learning honors their natural development. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to expand this work."

Significance of the AEC Model

In today's challenging educational landscape, where schools are often grappling with issues like declining literacy rates and burnout among educators, The School House presents a tested and scalable solution. The AEC is more than just a curriculum; it serves as a replicable framework demonstrating how learning can effectively prioritize children's developmental needs along with attributes of curiosity, physical activity, and kindness.

National Attention and Community Impact

This recognition comes against a backdrop of increasing national attention focused on The School House, including visits from prominent figures like U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and local leaders who have observed the AEC in action. Their support amplifies the potential impact of the school’s innovative methodologies on the national stage.

Funding and Future Initiatives

The STOP Award funding will play a critical role in advancing several projects already in progress at The School House. It will support the expansion of AEC Educator training and the development of an AEC AI Teacher Companion. Additionally, preparations for a flagship campus in Palm Beach are also underway. This financial support empowers Tunney and her team to fortify the infrastructure, research, and pilot programs necessary to extend the benefits of the American Emergent Curriculum to a larger number of educators, families, and communities throughout the United States.

About The School House

Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in East Northport, Long Island, The School House caters to learners ranging from toddlers to eighth graders. It is the only institution in New York State acknowledged as part of the 2025 Yass Prize cohort and serves as the national demonstration site for the American Emergent Curriculum. The AEC's unique blend of structured education with experiential learning and real-world skills challenges traditional educational systems while integrating movement, curiosity, empathy, and purpose into daily learning routines.

Celebrating Educational Innovation

The Yass Prize, presented annually by the Center for Education Reform in collaboration with Forbes, honors innovative educators transforming the landscape of American education. The STOP Awards celebrate organizations embodying the core principles of Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education.

This recent accolade is not just a validation of The School House's innovative practices but also a clarion call for educational reform aligned with the needs of our future generations.