Alpha School Seeks Zoning Approval for Former Roycemore Building
Evanston officials approved a zoning analysis for an AI-focused private school to occupy the former Roycemore site by 2027.
Key points
- Zoning analysis for Alpha School to occupy the former Roycemore building in Evanston was approved this month.
- The school uses AI software for two hours of daily instruction and hires non-certified guides instead of teachers.
- The former Roycemore School closed due to financial issues and declining enrollment, leaving the 55,000-square-foot building vacant.
Alpha School, a for-profit network that relies on artificial intelligence software for instruction, has received initial zoning approval to potentially open a campus in Evanston. The proposed location is the 55,000-square-foot building at 1200 Davis St., which formerly housed the Roycemore School. The company aims to launch this new site by the fall of 2027, according to statements made to the Evanston RoundTable.
The approval, confirmed by City of Evanston spokesperson Cynthia Vargas, covers only the necessary zoning analysis and does not guarantee the school will open. Alpha must still negotiate a lease or purchase agreement with the current owners of the property. It remains unclear whether Alpha intends to buy or rent the building, and no change in ownership has been recorded in Cook County documents to date.
Instruction model replaces traditional teachers
The school’s curriculum differs significantly from conventional private institutions. Students spend two hours daily with AI software before moving into workshop sessions. Alpha does not employ certified teachers; instead, it hires staff members titled "guides." According to the company, the only educational requirement for these guides is a bachelor’s degree, a trade-off that prioritizes flexibility over traditional pedagogical credentials.
Former school faces financial closure
The former tenant, Roycemore School, announced in July that it would not reopen for the 2026-27 academic year after 111 years of operation. The closure was driven by steep financial problems and declining enrollment, which dropped to 220 students in recent years. The building, renovated in 2012 and again shortly after Roycemore moved in to add a gymnasium, is now available for new use.
Alpha officials have been cautious in public statements. While a campus coordinator confirmed expansion plans for Evanston, the company’s spokesperson described confirming the specific Roycemore site as "premature." This hedge reflects the uncertainty surrounding the final lease or purchase negotiations, which are the next critical step in the process.
Corporate ties and expansion strategy
Alpha School is part of a broader corporate structure linked to 2 Hour Learning, a software company co-founded in 2014. The network has expanded nationally, with a new Chicago location opening recently. The company’s leadership includes figures connected to significant private equity interests, highlighting the substantial capital backing behind this educational model. However, the school does not publish enrollment figures, making it difficult to assess how many students it expects to attract in Evanston.
