Elon Musk’s associates are in the process of planning the launch of a new primary and secondary school, and eventually, a university in Austin, Texas, as indicated by tax documents. The endeavor is being supported by an almost $100 million donation from the billionaire entrepreneur.
This initiative could signal Musk’s intention to broaden his sphere of influence beyond X, the extensive communication platform he currently oversees, along with the various other companies under his ownership and leadership. This expansion comes in conjunction with his investments in artificial intelligence development and his active engagement with world leaders.
Key figures in Elon Musk’s close circle, including Jared Birchall, who oversees Musk’s family office, are identified as leaders of The Foundation, a newly established school with plans to teach ‘STEM subjects and other topics.’ This information is disclosed in an application submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last year, seeking tax-exempt status. Birchall also serves as a director of Musk’s philanthropic entity, Musk Foundation. (Many affluent individuals utilize family offices for investment guidance.)
The IRS filing, dated October 2022, was obtained and publicly disclosed by Bloomberg, which initially reported the school plans on Wednesday.
The School is being designed to meet the educational needs of those with proven academic and scientific potential, who will thrive in a rigorous, project-based curriculum.
Filing Posted by Bloomberg reads.
According to the filing posted by Bloomberg, “The School is being designed to meet the educational needs of those with proven academic and scientific potential, who will thrive in a rigorous, project-based curriculum.”
The school aims to initiate enrollment with approximately 50 students and anticipates gradual growth over time, as outlined in the filing. Funding is expected to come from a combination of donations and tuition fees, with provisions for scholarships to support students who may face financial constraints. The document also mentions ongoing efforts to hire an executive director, teaching staff, and administrative personnel. The institution plans to pursue accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
According to the filing, ‘The School intends ultimately to expand its operations to create a university dedicated to education at the highest levels.’
While a spokesperson for Musk’s X has not immediately responded to a request for comment on the new project, Musk’s venture into education coincides with increased scrutiny for his promotion of conspiracy theories and association with fringe figures. Notably, Musk has faced criticism for endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory, for which he later issued an apology and his involvement with the dangerous 2016 Pizzagate conspiracy theory.
The initiative coincides with Austin’s emergence as a burgeoning hub for alternative education. The city hosts the flagship campus of the University of Texas and is set to welcome the University of Austin, a startup institution initiated by a group, including conservative journalist Bari Weiss. The University of Austin aims to counter perceived ‘illiberalism’ at mainstream schools and intends to commence student enrollment next year.
Elon Musk’s relocation to Austin from California in 2020, along with the subsequent move of Tesla’s headquarters a year later, aligns with the city’s growing appeal. Musk cited frustration with California’s Covid-19 safety measures during the height of the pandemic as a key factor in his decision.
Musk’s involvement in education dates back a decade when he played a role in establishing the Ad Astra school at SpaceX’s California headquarters to educate his own children and those of employees. This initiative has since expanded into an online education program.
While Musk had previously hinted at the prospect of starting a new university, tweeting about the ‘Texas Institute of Technology & Science’ in 2021, the seriousness of the proposal was unclear due to the potential raunchy acronym. The Foundation, as stated in its filing, disclosed raising around $100 million in contributions since mid-2022 for the new Austin school. The annual 990 tax filing for the Musk Foundation in 2022, publicly disclosed by Bloomberg, indicates a $10 million cash donation and nearly $90 million worth of Tesla stock contributed to the group that year.
Jared Birchall, who serves as the president and trustee of the school, is listed as a key figure in the project. Ronald Gong and Teresa Holland of Catalyst Family Office, providing accounting services to Musk’s charity, and Steven Chidester, a partner at the law firm Withers Bergman, which collaborates with the Musk Foundation, are also involved in the school project, according to tax documents. Steven Chidester declined to comment on the school plans, and requests for comment from Birchall and Gong’s Catalyst were not immediately returned.
