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Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

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Spencer Watson

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Arkansas School Wins Prestigious $1 Million Yass Prize

LITTLE ROCK – The Learning Lounge, a nontraditional learning community in Pine Bluff, was announced this week as the 2026 Yass Prize winner, which includes a $1 million grand prize.

“The $1 million Yass Prize is overjoyed to recognize a model that brings together education freedom, rural opportunity and community renewal — showing how the right school can do more than change a child’s trajectory; it can strengthen families, restore possibility and help breathe new life into an entire community,” the award announcement said.

“When we started The Learning Lounge in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, we weren’t trying to build the biggest school. We were trying to build a school where every child could be seen, supported, and celebrated beyond the labels placed on them,” said Kanesha Adams, founder and executive director of The Learning Lounge. “Winning the $1 million Yass Prize is more than a recognition of our work; it is a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to come from big cities or big institutions. Sometimes, the biggest ideas come from the smallest communities. This moment belongs to our students, our families, our educators, and every rural community that has ever been told what’s possible for their children.”

The school grew out of Adams’ desire to serve an adopted niece with anxieties about attending school. 

“The school has grown from one family’s need into a sought-after rural model, now serving 73 students with more than 90 on its waiting list and preparing to expand to communities across Arkansas,” the award notice continued.

“We are so proud of The Learning Lounge and so excited for its students, families and educators! We’ve been cheering this school on since its beginning, and seeing it bring this recognition home to Arkansas is something special,” said Emmy Henley, managing director for education nonprofit The Reform Alliance, which partnered with The Learning Lounge at its launch. “The Reform Alliance has worked alongside a growing community of microschool founders across Arkansas, and we want to see every one of their schools thrive.

“The Learning Lounge shows why this work matters: a school built around children’s needs can open new possibilities for families and an entire community. We hope its success inspires more people to see what microschools can offer.”

While being interviewed at The Learning Lounge during the school’s open house event in August, parents described the school's impact not just on their children, but on their community.

“Kanesha Adams is showing, through The Learning Lounge, that we can be the change that we want to see in our community,” parent and educator Rebecca Newby said. “It doesn’t take outsiders from other states to come in and think they’re going to offer solutions when the people who are already in our communities know the needs, know the place. When they feel secure enough to build up the community together, that’s where the magic really happens.”

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The Reform Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every Arkansas student has equal access to a quality education. We understand that each child has individual needs, so we strive to raise public awareness of all educational options for every family. Our team is committed to assisting Arkansas families with finding the best option for their child.