Garrett Smiley

Garrett Smiley is the founder and CEO of Sora Schools, a project-based middle and high school network built around interdisciplinary, mastery-based learning. Founded in 2019 as an online private school, Sora has since expanded into a network that powers partner campuses — from microschools to public school districts — providing curriculum, software, and teacher training for in-person, hybrid, and fully online environments. Sora's model is built around live classes, mentor-led projects, and real relationships — bringing the rigor and community of great in-person schools to a flexible online environment. Now serving students across 48 states and 18 countries and backed by $31M in funding, Sora is challenging the assumption that online education means trading community for flexibility. This year, Smiley was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30.