Applications are now open for March and August 2026. Apply now!

About Sora Schools

A new kind of online school for grades 6-12

Sora’s Mission

At Sora, our mission is to deliver a transformative learning experience that empowers middle and high school students to thrive in the modern world. By blending live, interactive classes with independent, flexible focus time, we create a unique environment where students can engage deeply with their learning, pursue their passions, and grow alongside like-minded peers.

Our approach prioritizes academic excellence, social development, and real-world preparation, fostering a dynamic and inclusive community where every student is inspired to achieve their unique goals.

A group of young people wearing matching shirts explore an immersive light installation, smiling and interacting with the glowing displays.

Sora’s Vision

We know traditional schools don’t work for everyone—but we believe education can and should be different. Drawing from decades of experience in pioneering schools, we’ve seen how transformative a learning environment can be when it prioritizes real-world relevance, collaboration, student choice, and low-stakes, mastery-based assessment.

Sora is the first private school to bring this proven, innovative approach into the online space, offering students unparalleled flexibility without compromising on academic rigor or personal growth.

A group of students interact with illuminated touchscreen displays in a futuristic, high-tech learning environment.

Our Story

In 2019, Garrett Smiley founded Sora to reimagine education for the future. Frustrated by the limits of traditional schools, he set out to create an exceptional online private school built on project-based learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and mastery-based assessment.

What began as a bold experiment has become a global movement, with students from 16 countries and recognition for its innovation in education.

Watch the video to learn more!

Garrett Smiley
Founder and CEO

Interested in joining Sora?

Learn more about our admissions process and connect with an admissions counselor!