Who We Are

Direction and drive for the road ahead

nXu is a non-profit initiative that provides research-based, transformative, purpose-driven learning experiences for youth and adults through a school-based curriculum, educator training and development, and direct student programming.

Through our model, we cultivate spaces to elevate joy and center our collective stories. We dig deep to explore the unique set of joys, strengths, and values that intersect to drive each of us in a meaningful direction. In doing so, we learn to see our identities as powerful and essential for charting fulfilling future pathways.

How it started

We launched nXu in 2017 with a team of nationally recognized educators dedicated to cultivating a foundational component of student success on their personal, academic, and professional journeys: purpose.

Schools across the U.S. are seeking to address the growing awareness that young people need more than academic excellence to thrive in our rapidly changing world; we have intentionally built nXu in response to this critical need.

It is essential for young people to meaningfully explore their identities, develop a strong sense of purpose, cultivate social capital, and foster social-emotional wellness to succeed in life after high school and to pursue compelling career pathways.

And increasingly, the education community is coming to understand that for us to holistically develop our students, we must also holistically develop ourselves.

nXu today

We aim to holistically prepare students for the 21st century world of work and to lay the foundation for a thriving life by driving a paradigm shift in education.

Each child’s post-secondary pathway and future plan should be anchored in that child’s unique identity and aspirations, or what we call purpose.

Our curriculum development, student and educator programming, and partnerships with schools and organizations reflect our three-pronged approach to placing purpose and social-emotional wellbeing at the heart of education.

Develop research-based approaches

We learn by directly serving students and educators through program offerings. We also form multifaceted partnerships with school and educational organizations through which we continue to assess and iterate on our model.

a group of students work together during a session with nXu

a young woman and young man sit next to each other with binders open on their laps during a session with nXu

Codify what we learn

We take what we learn and create high-quality, easy-to-use, flexible resources, including our middle and high school curriculum, and an aligned assessment system.

Disseminate our curriculum

Our partnerships with schools and educational organizations using our curriculum and resources provide us with avenues to grow our impact and to iterate quickly on our curriculum and model.

Explore our curriculum

a young man reads aloud from a paper during a session with nXu

Meet the team

We are a team of passionate individuals with deep experience in launching, leading, and teaching within high-functioning schools. From former classroom teachers and school leaders to curriculum writers, we’re dedicated to supporting educators and students to meet the challenges of today to succeed tomorrow.

ADRIANNY MERLAIN

Educational Programming Coordinator

kiss’shonna curtis

Educational Programming Coordinator

rebecca perrone

Director of Special Projects

briana anderson

Curriculum Implementation Advisor

kimberly wright

Educational Programming Coordinator

Cat Lum

Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategy

jada young

Educational Programming Coordinator

natalie slocum

Director of Operations

The leadership team

nXu’s development is overseen by nationally recognized educators who have played key roles in leading, establishing, and growing nationally recognized schools and education organizations.

Norman Atkins

Co-Founder and President Emeritus, Relay Graduate School of Education;
Founder and Board Chair, Uncommon Schools

Dave Levin

Co-Founder, KIPP

Dominic Randolph

Former Head of School, Riverdale Country School

Aylon Samouha

Co-Founder, Transcend

Jeff Wetzler