NOW ENROLLING · 2026–27 SCHOOL YEAR

High school for kids who are already building things.

MARS is a full-time high school program for grades 9–12 in Huntsville, Alabama. Small cohort. Real projects. AI-forward curriculum. Zero busywork.

20

seats available

9-12

Grades

$7k

annual tuition

HSV

Hunstville, al

How it Works

Full-time school. A format that fits the future.

MARS runs five days a week with a hybrid structure designed around how high-agency students actually work best.

🚀

Every Thursday

In person at the U.S Space & Rocket Center

Hackathons, hands-on projects, guest speakers, and collaborative work sessions hosted at one of Huntsville's most inspiring venues. Thursday is the heartbeat of the week.

Monday - Wednesday & Friday

Structured Virtual Learning

Four days of focused coursework, project time, and self-directed learning from home -- with the accountability of a real school schedule.

All week

Real Projects. Real Deadlines.

No busywork. Students build portfolios, completed rigorous courses across real subject areas, and develop skills that transfer to college and careers.

🤖

AI & Real-World Tech

Students learn to build with AI tools, not just use them. Skills tied to real-world applications across every subject.

⚡

Weekly Hackathons

Every Thursday is a chance to ship something. Collaborative problem-solving under real constraints with real peers.

🎓

Dual Enrollment

Earn college credits while completing high school. Students leave MARS ahead, not just ready.

👥

Small Cohort

20 students max. Every student is known, challenged, and supported. No one gets lost in the crowd.

Who it's for

Gifted teens need their tribe.

MARS is recruiting 20 high-agency students for 2026. If your kid is the one who's already building, hacking, designing, or leading -- this is the room they've been missing.

  • Self-directed learners who aren't able to thrive in a traditional classroom

  • Students who want to create things, not just study things

  • Kids curious about AI, entrepreneurship, or technology

  • Teens who are ready to take real ownership of their time and learning

  • Families who want an alternative with academic rigor

Campus

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama

In-person Thursdays | Virtual Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri

Grades 9-12

20 Students Max

Full-Time

2026-27

Founded By

Jennifer Wolverton

Educator, Author, AI Pioneer

Curriculum

Courses that actually connect.

A selection of courses across a variety of subject strands, all build to develop students who can think, communicate, and create with technology.

No matter which courses students choose, every option builds communication skills, technical fluency, and critical thinking. Creative courses are still rigorous, and technical courses still emphasize ethics and communication.
English
Grammar Foundry AI Writers Guild TED-Ed Presentations
Math
Stock Market Game Algebra ChartKeepers Unlock Math
Science
Chemistry in VR
History / Civics
Podcasting Through History Nomadic Professor
Technology
Python Programming Data Analytics Game Design in Minecraft Unity & Game Design Drones & Aerial Systems Digital Art Ukulele

How Enrollment Works

Four steps to launch day.

We designed the process to be straightforward. No guessing, no long waits, no pressure. Here's exactly what to expect.

1
Submit Your Interest Form
Takes about five minutes. No commitment required -- just the start of a conversation.
2
Discovery Call & Application
We'll reach out to schedule a call, then invite you to submit the full application.
$50 Application Fee
3
Family Interview
We meet with at least one parent and your student, hear their story, and identify the best fit.
4
Enrollment & Mission Start
Accepted families complete the enrollment form and pay the enrollment fee to secure their seat.
$375 Enrollment Fee
1
Submit Your Interest Form
Takes about five minutes. No commitment required -- just the start of a conversation.
2
Discovery Call & Application
We'll reach out to schedule a call, then invite you to submit the full application.
$50 Application Fee
3
Family Interview
We meet with at least one parent and your student, hear their story, and identify the best fit.
4
Enrollment & Mission Start
Accepted families complete the enrollment form and pay the enrollment fee to secure their seat.
$375 Enrollment Fee

Tuition & funding

Private school quality. A price that might surprise you.

At $7,000 per year, MARS is accessible for many families. And if you qualify for the Alabama CHOOSE Act, the program could cover your entire tuition.

💰 Tuition & Fees
$7,000
Annual tuition per student
Application Fee
Paid when you submit your full application
$50
Enrollment Fee
Paid upon acceptance to secure your seat
$375
We work with every family to explore all available funding options before you commit to anything.
✓  CHOOSE Act Approved
Alabama's Choose Act might cover the whole thing.
$7,000 / per student
The Alabama CHOOSE Act provides qualifying families with an Education Savings Account (ESA) worth up to $7,000 per student -- exactly MARS's annual tuition. If your family qualifies, your cost could be zero.
MARS is an approved Education Service Provider. We help families navigate the application process and make sure you don't leave funding on the table.
Learn more at chooseact.alabama.gov →

Step 1 of 4

Submit interest Form.

Fill out the interest form and we'll reach out to schedule your discovery call. This is just the start of a conversation -- no commitment, no pressure.

Limited to 20 students for 2026–27

  • No commitment when you submit

  • We'll email you to schedule a discovery call

  • We'll help you explore CHOOSE Act funding

  • Questions welcome at every step

Family Information:

Education Information:

Next Steps: Application, Enrollment, and Onboarding

Thank you for your interest in MARS!

Below is an overview of the application, enrollment, and onboarding process so you can plan accordingly.

Founding families (returning students) will enroll in February to secure their spots for the upcoming year. 

New families may begin enrolling on March 1. We will continue to accept applications until we reach our full capacity of 20 motivated high school Trailblazers in Huntsville. At that point, applications will close, and we will move to a waitlist system.

MARS Application & Enrollment Checklist

✅Step 1: Submit Application & Fee (February–Until Full)

  • Complete the online application.

  • Pay the non-refundable $50 application fee.

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

✅Step 2: Enrollment Invitation & Fee Payment(February–Until Full)

  • If accepted, families will receive an official enrollment invitation via email.

  • Pay the $375 enrollment fee.

  • Once the enrollment fee is paid, the student’s spot is officially secured.

✅Step 3: Tuition & Agreements (July 1st)

  • Families will sign all required agreements:

    • Volunteer / Parent Participation Form

    • Code of Conduct & Behavior Agreement

    • Liability & Identification Form

    • MARS Media Release

    • MARS Parent Handbook & Acknowledgement

    • MARS Technology & Internet Use Agreement

    • Student Information & Emergency Contact Form

    • Transportation & Pick-up Form

    • Financial Agreement (Tuition Payment Terms: July–April)

  • Tuition is paid in monthly installments from July through April, but it is NOT a subscription. All tuition is NON-REFUNDABLE.

✅Step 4: Orientation & Student Onboarding (August 1st)

  • Families receive access to MARS onboarding materials.

  • Attend the Trailblazer Not-Back-to-School Event in Mid-August.

  • Students receive Microsoft logins and access to learning platforms.

✅Step 5: First Day of School! (Thursday After Labor Day)

  • MARS officially begins the new school year on the Thursday after Labor Day. Many families begin their math curriculum in August. This is recommended.

If you have any questions during this process, please reach out to [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming your family to MARS! 🚀

$50
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MARS Microschool

INNOVATE · CREATE · PIONEER

A technology-forward microschool for secondary students. We're not just preparing students for the future—we're building it with them through AI, robotics, and project-based learning.

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