Education Revolution: Jason Robinovitz Of Score At The Top Learning Centers On Innovative Approaches That Are Transforming Education
When you’re angry, write the angry email, then wait an hour before sending it. Sometimes you need to get the frustration out, and writing it down helps. But the key is to pause. Re-read it once you’ve cooled off, adjust the tone, and send something productive instead of destructive. Emotional control is a superpower in this business.
The landscape of education is undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by technological advancements, pedagogical innovations, and a deepened understanding of learning diversities. Traditional classrooms are evolving, and new modes of teaching and learning are emerging to better prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. This series will take a look at the groundbreaking work being done across the globe to redefine education. As a part of this interview series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Robinovitz.
Jason Robinovitz, COO and General Counsel for Score At The Top Learning Centers, Score Academy, and JRA Educational Consulting. With his front-row seat to the ever-evolving educational landscape, Robinovitz offers crucial insights into how people are choosing to access education.
In this interview, Robinovitz discusses education innovations, the current education system, and five things he wishes he knew before he became a leader in the education space.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share the “backstory” behind what brought you to this particular career path?
Education has always been in my DNA, though I didn’t realize just how much until later in life. My mother was involved in the world of education long before I was born, and not long after I arrived, she became an education entrepreneur. My father, on the other hand, wasn’t exactly a model student — but he’s a sharp entrepreneur and was the one who encouraged my mom to start a small tutoring business. Over time, that business grew steadily, adding more services and eventually becoming fully accredited in 2000.
While I went to law school and became a practicing attorney, I always knew I’d eventually do something entrepreneurial with my family. At first, I assumed it would be in the automotive space, since my father was in the car business for years. But when he sold that business and started lending his expertise to my mother’s growing company, the trajectory shifted — and so did mine.
When I joined the company in 2008, schooling was still a small part of what we did. But through innovation, iteration, and a lot of listening to what students and families needed, we grew that piece into the core of our business. Looking back, it feels less like a career change and more like a natural evolution, combining my legal and operational experience with the entrepreneurial spirit I grew up around.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The most interesting story of my career is how I found my way into this field. I began as a plaintiff’s medical malpractice litigator at a prestigious firm in South Florida.
After five years, a close friend’s sudden death in a car accident forced me to reassess my life and career. I realized that while I was succeeding professionally, I was unfulfilled — and likely depressed — so I walked away from the law.
Soon after, my parents, who had founded an educational company, asked me to manage it while they were away on vacation. I agreed, expecting it to be temporary. What I discovered surprised me: the work was meaningful, the impact tangible, and for the first time in years, I felt happy. I’ve been with the company ever since — 17 years and counting.
The experience taught me a lasting lesson: fulfillment matters more than prestige or financial reward. When your work aligns with your values and brings you purpose, everything else follows.
Can you briefly share with our readers why you are an authority in the education field?
I’ve spent the last 17 years fully immersed in the world of education. I was fortunate to join my parents’ tutoring and test prep business when it was a small but promising operation. Over time, I recognized the potential for growth in our school division and made it my mission to expand and enhance it. Under my leadership, we’ve grown the school by several orders of magnitude, transforming it into a thriving educational institution.
Can you identify some areas of the US education system that are going really great?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say any areas of the U.S. education system are “going great” — at least not at the systemic level. Are there individual schools and educators doing truly incredible work? Absolutely. There are always pockets of excellence. But when you zoom out and look at the big picture, the system as a whole is deeply broken. Reading and math scores have been declining for years, and I’d argue the slide began long before it was officially acknowledged.
Part of the problem is that we have trained teachers to teach to the test instead of nurturing genuine mastery or critical thinking. When standardized testing becomes the goal rather than the tool, it undermines the very essence of learning.
Can you identify the key areas of the US education system that should be prioritized for improvement? Can you explain why those are so critical?
Two years ago, I probably would’ve given you a different answer. But with the rapid rise of AI and the pace at which it’s continuing to evolve, we urgently need to prioritize critical thinking in our schools. It’s not enough to teach students how to use tools like ChatGPT or other AI platforms. They need to understand how to use them responsibly and why discernment matters. We can’t afford to let AI become a surrogate for original thought — it should be used to enhance thinking, not replace it.
Alongside that, I think we have to refocus on soft skills; things like communication, collaboration, and basic interpersonal connection. The cell phone has become both a lifeline and a crutch. You see four teenagers out at dinner, and half the time they’re texting each other at the table. That’s not how the real world works, and it’s certainly not how professional relationships are built. Kids need to learn how to hold a conversation, read a room, and engage with the people around them.
Finally, vocational education needs a major comeback. I love college, but I’m also a big believer that college isn’t the only path. There are so many high-paying, high-value careers in trades and technical fields that are wide open for bright, motivated students. If you ask five friends for a doctor recommendation, you’ll get five solid names. Ask for a good electrician, and you might get crickets. That imbalance says a lot, and it’s something we can fix if we start earlier.
Please tell us all about the innovative educational approaches that you are using. What is the specific problem that you aim to solve, and how have you addressed it?
I wouldn’t necessarily call what we’re doing “innovative” — I’d call it responsive. We’re meeting students exactly where they are, in a world where attention has become the most valuable and contested resource. We live in an attention economy: everything from apps to advertisements is designed to hijack focus. So it’s no surprise that a traditional classroom with 25 or 30 students struggles to hold a child’s attention — it’s just not built for the way kids are wired today.
We built the kind of school students are quietly craving, one that gives them time, attention, and a reason to stay engaged. In our signature small-classroom model, it’s nearly impossible for a student to disengage; not because they’re forced to stay focused, but because they’re actively involved. We employ the Socratic Method to lead our classes, which means students aren’t just sitting and listening — they’re thinking, speaking, questioning, and defending their own ideas. It transforms a passive educational experience into a collaborative, high-engagement one.
What we’ve found is that this model doesn’t just improve academic performance. It builds soft skills and critical thinking almost by default. Students leave with a stronger sense of self, a clearer voice, and a better ability to interact with others, which, in today’s world, may be more important than ever.
In what ways do you think your approach might shape the future of education? What evidence supports this?
If we’re serious about preparing students for the real world, not just getting them through school, then education has to evolve, and I believe our approach offers a blueprint for that future.
We’re focused on building skills that actually matter outside the classroom — things like critical thinking, ethical AI use, entrepreneurship, and real human communication. The world our students are entering is fast, noisy, and constantly changing. The ability to adapt, lead, and communicate with clarity are the differentiators. And frankly, they’re the skills traditional schools have been neglecting for far too long.
The attention economy isn’t going anywhere. And in that environment, classrooms that are passive and one-size-fits-all simply won’t cut it. Our model, built around small, high-engagement classrooms and Socratic dialogue, keeps students present, curious, and mentally agile. That kind of environment naturally develops essential soft skills, such as speaking, listening, and disagreeing respectfully, that are essential in every field, from business to academia to the trades.
We’re also preparing students to use tools like AI ethically and effectively, not as a shortcut for thinking, but as a force multiplier for their own ideas. That’s the difference between surviving in the future and leading in it. And we’re seeing the results. Students leave our program with a deeper sense of self, a stronger voice, and the ability to think and act independently. They’re more confident, more capable, and better equipped to handle the complexity of the world they’re stepping into.
If education is going to remain relevant, it must stop preparing kids for yesterday’s world. We’re already building for tomorrow, and the outcomes speak for themselves.
How do you measure the impact of your innovative educational practices on students’ learning and well-being?
We measure impact through a mix of objective data and real-time, human observation. Early in the school year, we administer the MAP Growth Assessment to establish a baseline, and then we test again toward the end of the year to measure academic progress. It provides us with a clear, quantifiable sense of where students are growing and where they may require additional support.
But just as important — maybe more so — is the day-to-day feedback loop we get from our teachers. Because our class sizes are so small, our educators can track each student’s progress in a much more personal and nuanced way. They’re constantly observing — not just academically, but also socially and emotionally. They know who is thriving, who is struggling, and how to adjust in real time. In that kind of environment, you don’t need a report to tell you how a student is doing; you see it every day.
What challenges have you faced in implementing your educational innovations, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge we’ve faced is financial. Small, personalized education is expensive, and while we do everything we can to make it accessible, the reality is that running a school like ours requires a strong base of full-pay students to remain sustainable. We offer substantial scholarships to deserving students, and the Florida-based Step Up for Students Scholarship program has been a tremendous resource for many families. But even with that support, it still doesn’t fully cover our tuition, and that leaves some families stuck in the middle.
To widen our reach and make our model more accessible, we recently launched a virtual school. It’s significantly more affordable than our brick-and-mortar program, but we’ve done something most virtual schools don’t: we’ve kept the option for students to come to our physical campus to work and connect with peers. It creates a hybrid experience that preserves the best parts of in-person learning — community, accountability, real human interaction — while opening the door to students who otherwise wouldn’t have had access.
Keeping in mind the “Law of Unintended Consequences,” can you see any potential drawbacks of this innovation that people should think more deeply about?
That’s a great question, and an important one. Any time you push the boundaries of the traditional model, there are bound to be unintended consequences, even with the best intentions.
We must constantly guard against the idea that just because we’re preparing students for the future, we should insulate them from the discomfort that comes with growth. Small classes, personalized attention, engaging dialogue — all of that works because we ask students to step up, not check out. The unintended risk is that if this model is adopted poorly elsewhere, it could become another version of “over-accommodating,” where students are shielded from challenge rather than supported through it. That’s not what we’re doing, but it’s a nuance that matters.
Another potential pitfall is our focus on emerging real-world tools, such as AI. While we teach students to use these tools ethically and responsibly, there’s always a risk that others might adopt a surface-level approach, treating AI as a shortcut rather than a skill to be developed thoughtfully. If that happens, students may lose touch with the foundational thinking skills that AI is supposed to enhance, not replace.
And finally, in challenging the traditional model, we’ve also had to confront deeply ingrained assumptions — especially from parents — about what “school” is supposed to look like. The unintended consequence here is that some families may struggle to let go of the comfort of convention, even if it no longer serves their child. Change, even when positive, can feel threatening when it deviates too far from the familiar.
So yes, innovation comes with its own set of risks. But the answer isn’t to retreat — it’s to stay intentional, stay transparent, and keep the human element at the center of everything we do.
What are your “5 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started”?
1. When you’re angry, write the angry email, then wait an hour before sending it.
Sometimes you need to get the frustration out, and writing it down helps. But the key is to pause. Re-read it once you’ve cooled off, adjust the tone, and send something productive instead of destructive. Emotional control is a superpower in this business.
2. Not every family is your ideal client, and that’s okay.
Early on, I tried to please everyone. It’s exhausting and impossible. Some families may not align with your values, approach, or expectations, and that’s not a failure. It’s a necessary filter. The sooner you learn to say “no,” the more space you make for the right “yes.”
3. Most of your success will come from how well you manage people, not how much you know.
Degrees and knowledge matter, but managing personalities — whether it’s students, parents, teachers, or your own team — is where the real work happens. Emotional intelligence, communication, and boundaries are far more important than any textbook ever was.
4. The biggest blocker to change isn’t resistance — it’s habit.
The status quo isn’t clung to because it works. It’s clung to because it’s familiar. Parents often default to the kind of schooling they had, even if deep down they know it’s not serving their child. Real change happens when we gently challenge those habits and offer something better in return.
5. The most talented teachers don’t always work in traditional schools.
Some of the brightest and most creative educators I’ve ever met left the system or were pushed out of it. Traditional schools often value compliance over creativity. When you give talented educators the freedom to teach with passion and autonomy, they truly excel.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite quotes is: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
It hits home for me because we’re living in a time where it’s easy to get caught up in watching other people live their lives: on social media, in influencer culture, even just scrolling through curated versions of success. But fantasizing about success doesn’t bring you any closer to achieving it. At some point, you have to stop watching and start doing.
For me, that quote is a reminder that intention is nothing without execution. Having a dream is great, but pairing it with a plan and backing it up with hard work is where the real transformation happens. Whether it’s building a school, launching a new program, or helping students reach their potential, I’ve learned that strategy and effort always beat wishful thinking.
We are blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Jonathan Haidt would be at the very top of my list. Ever since I read “The Coddling of the American Mind,” I’ve followed his work closely, and his latest book, “The Anxious Generation,” is just as powerful. His research cuts through the noise and forces us to confront some uncomfortable truths about what we’re doing to our kids, especially when it comes to screen time, mental health, and resilience.
I had the chance to see him speak at the 3i Members’ Conference last year, and it was both inspiring and honestly a little terrifying. He’s brilliant, and he delivers hard facts in a way that’s impossible to ignore. I didn’t get to meet him at the conference, but if there’s ever an opportunity to sit down over breakfast or lunch, I’d jump at it. There’s so much I’d love to ask him about how we can put his insights into real, actionable change in education.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
We share a ton of valuable content through our blogs and online platforms.
For insights on school-related topics, check out the Score Academy blog: https://www.score-academy.com/blog.
If you’re interested in tutoring and test prep strategies, our Score At The Top blog is a great place to start: https://www.scoreatthetop.com/blog.
And if college admissions is your focus, we cover that in depth on the JRA Educational Consulting blog: https://www.jraeducationalconsulting.com/blog.
We also host an ongoing webinar series on all things education — you can find those on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/scoreatthetop. And of course, we’re active on Facebook and Instagram, so feel free to follow us there for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Education Revolution: Jason Robinovitz Of Score At The Top Learning Centers On Innovative… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.