We’re thrilled to celebrate Chrissy, our Founder in Residence at The Forest School, for an exciting milestone: The Meliora School placed second in the Z-Combinator Pitch Competition—a fast-paced, high-stakes event where founders had just three minutes to pitch their school to a panel of judges and funders.

This competition recognizes bold, mission-driven school models that are reimagining what’s possible for students and communities, and Chrissy’s placement is a powerful affirmation of both the vision behind Meliora and the clarity with which she’s building it.

As Chrissy shared, placing second was especially meaningful because it confirmed not only the “why,” but also the “how”—the structure, strategy, and values that make The Meliora School’s model real and ready to launch. She credits much of that clarity to daily practice, reflection, and learning through the Founders in Residence experience.

Building With Families, Not Just For Them

One of the most exciting aspects of The Meliora School is its commitment to building with learners and families, not simply designing a school on their behalf.

That philosophy is already shaping key parts of the model, including:

small class sizes
learner-centered structures
a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, computer science, and agency

Chrissy describes the work as deeply grounded in what kids need now—and in what families are asking for in real time. She’s not just designing a school from a distance; she’s co-creating it with the people it exists to serve.

“Yep — This Is Working.”

When asked what moment made her think, “This is working,” Chrissy didn’t point to a marketing win or a perfect plan. She pointed to something far more meaningful: listening to families describe what their children have experienced in traditional settings—and hearing them say, “This is exactly what my child needs.”

She shared that many of these conversations were filled with stories of learners who have felt unseen or constrained, and parents who were looking for something different—something more human, more empowering, and more aligned with who their child truly is.

Then came the moment where the community response moved from hopeful to undeniable:

Applications began coming in faster than available seats.

That’s when it clicked: The Meliora model resonates because it’s rooted in community voice and lived experience—built carefully, intentionally, and in close proximity to strong practice.

A Founder Lesson Worth Sharing: Don’t Do This Alone

Chrissy also shared one of the most important lessons she’s learned as a founder—one she believes every school leader needs to hear:

You don’t have to do it alone. And you shouldn’t.

She named the myth of the “solo founder” for what it is: exhausting and untrue. Schools are community work. The most sustainable models are built with honest feedback, shared wisdom, and relationships that help leaders keep going when the work gets hard.

“The real work,” she shared, “happens when you invite people in early, learn alongside others, and let the community help shape the school. That’s where sustainability, resilience, and joy live.”

A Three-Minute Pitch (and a Flu)

Chrissy described the moment of pitching The Meliora School as both exhilarating and grounding.

Communicating a whole school model in three minutes requires intense clarity: what matters most, why it matters, and who it’s for. And while she was delivering that pitch—under pressure, in a room full of judges and funders—she was also fairly certain she had the flu.

Still, placing second felt like a powerful confirmation that the heart of the work came through, even in a moment where everything had to be distilled down to its essence.

She shared deep gratitude for the people who carried the vision with her, including:

her community task force and core team
the families who trusted an idea “before it existed”
her board and community partners
the Z-Combinator mentors and fellow founders who pushed her toward both precision and humanity
and special thanks to Emily Kim and the Zeta Schools team

Chrissy also wants to thank The Forest School team for the daily support and modeling that has helped sharpen her vision as she builds The Meliora School.

What the Founders in Residence Program Makes Possible

Chrissy was clear about the impact of the Founders in Residence program at The Forest School. It hasn’t just helped in theory—it has helped in practice.

“Being a Founder in Residence has made the vision tangible and the work feel grounded,” she shared. “I’ve been able to see learner-centered education lived out daily, test ideas in real time, and learn alongside an incredible community.”

She described the experience as offering:

space to reflect
permission to iterate
the support to turn belief into practice
and a sense of sustainability that makes the leap from concept to reality feel possible

Most importantly, it’s been a reminder that building new models doesn’t have to feel isolating.

Encouragement for Other School Founders

Chrissy’s message to other leaders considering building something new was clear and powerful:

Do it. Do it scared. Do it tired. Do it before you feel fully ready.

“If you feel the pull to build,” she shared, “it’s probably there for a reason.”

Her encouragement is rooted in purpose—not perfection. She believes founders don’t need permission, a flawless plan, or complete confidence to begin. What they need is:

purpose, people, and persistence.

Chrissy, we’re so proud of you—and we can’t wait to see The Meliora School continue to grow and serve learners and families in powerful ways.

Chrissy’s Big Win: The Meliora School Places 2nd in the Z-Combinator Pitch Competition