ASU Prep Tempe, powered by The Levitt Lab, is thrilled to welcome Maxwell Smith as Founding School Leader. With extensive experience in education and a passion for reimagining traditional models, Smith is uniquely equipped to lead The Levitt Lab into its inaugural year and beyond.
Rooted in reimagining education
Smith’s journey in education began as a Teach For America Corps Member in Metro Atlanta, where he taught social studies, economics and AP U.S. Politics & Government. Even then, he blended traditional learning with creative approaches to engage students.
The limitations of the traditional education system became a defining motivator in his career. “This system, born out of the era of standardization and industrialization, hasn’t truly evolved,” Smith explained. “It’s to the detriment of our students.” This realization led him to pursue a Master’s degree in School Leadership, with a focus on innovative school models, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Armed with this expertise, Smith returned to support a school redesign centered on arts-based learning before eventually leading the Forest School Online.
Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design at ASU Preparatory Academy, shared why Smith is the perfect fit to lead The Levitt Lab, explaining, “We were looking for a dynamic leader who not only had experience in school redesign, but also someone who had worked in a mastery-based system. Max’s skills and background complemented both of these things from his work in turnaround schools, starting the Forest School Online and with his most recent work in a mastery-based post-secondary model.”
Hanley also emphasized an especially apropos connection, noting, “Max is a long-time follower of Steve Levitt, founder of The Levitt Lab, and even used his book, Freakonomics, to teach his high school economics course. He not only understood the vision, but has adopted the vision. We cannot wait to watch this program grow and excel under his leadership.”
Bringing The Levitt Lab mission to life
Though Smith will uphold many of the responsibilities of a traditional principal, his role as Founding School Leader goes beyond that.
“I’m the one who ensures The Levitt Lab’s vision becomes a reality,” Smith explained. “That means overseeing every aspect of the school—from enrollment to stakeholder engagement, building the school’s culture and creating partnerships. My job is to embody the learning methods The Levitt Lab is built on and share that vision both within the school community and externally, so the impact of this reimagined model of education can spread system-wide.”
Smith has clear goals for The Levitt Lab, starting with a strong launch this fall. “The immediate priority is welcoming our inaugural class of 9th to 12th graders,” he said. “Long term, I see systemic impact. I want to use data to generate insights that other schools and districts can replicate.”
“I see this new model creating waves in the labor force, in people’s quality of life and in their communities,” he said. “With an alumni network that stays connected, we’ll see how these changes play out nationwide.”
When asked what excites him most, Smith’s enthusiasm was evident. “Everything! But if I had to pick one thing, it has to be meeting the students and families,” he said.
About The Levitt Lab
At its core, The Levitt Lab is about creating an educational environment that prioritizes curiosity, personalized mastery-based learning and real-world readiness. Students set their own pace, tackling subjects in flexible, hybrid schedules designed to match their unique needs.
“What I love about this model is how it combines the flexibility and agency of online learning with the benefits of community, collaboration and hands-on work in a shared space,” Smith said. “It’s truly the best of both worlds.”
The Levitt Lab moves away from the traditional “sage on the stage” model of teacher-led instruction. Instead, Smith explains, guides—rather than conventional teachers—support students’ growth and goals through a student-centered approach that broadens their understanding of the world and fosters holistic development.
“We’re looking beyond content knowledge,” Smith shares. “We’re focusing on interpersonal skills, executive function, character development and students’ ability to manage themselves, set meaningful goals and make progress toward achieving them.” He emphasizes the importance of educators with expertise in facilitation, wayfinding and instructional design to bring this vision to life.
Learn more
Explore our unique instructional model designed for the modern world. The approach is bold, innovative and student-centered—a model that mirrors Smith’s own educational philosophy.
With Maxwell Smith at the helm, ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab is set to redefine high school and inspire lasting change in education. We’re thrilled to have him on board!
