Overview
For more than 25 years, Skip Hansen has worked at the intersection of entrepreneurship and public education, helping build a charter school model designed around students whom traditional systems often struggle to serve.
Hansen did not expect to become an educator. After attending UC Irvine, he built a career in business, working in commercial real estate and for companies including Microsoft and General Electric. At GE, his exposure to Six Sigma shaped the way he later approached education: build strong processes, measure performance, and continuously improve. When he entered charter schooling, he saw an opportunity to combine that business discipline with the freedom to rethink how schools serve students.
That opportunity became Learn for Life. Hansen recalls that the original idea grew from conversations about young people in Lancaster, California, who did not fit neatly into the traditional high school structure—teen parents, students who needed to work to support their families, and young people whose lives simply did not conform to an 8-to-3 school day. The resulting model centered on flexible scheduling and individualized pathways rather than requiring students to fit the institution.
Over time, Learn for Life developed a non-classroom-based approach focused on students facing significant barriers to graduation. The organization expanded beyond California, adapting the model to new communities while building partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations to provide support extending beyond academics.
Hansen’s story also illustrates one of chartering’s original promises: giving people the freedom to try different approaches while holding them accountable for results. He describes first encountering charter schools as an opportunity to rethink an education system constrained by longstanding rules and regulations and give people with new ideas room to innovate.
Looking to the future, Hansen sees artificial intelligence and other technologies as important tools for making education more personalized, responsive, and effective—particularly for at-risk students whose circumstances are least likely to fit a one-size-fits-all system.
Oral History
Oral History with Skip Hansen
Interviewed by Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Featured Themes: Business discipline in education; dropout recovery; flexible scheduling; personalized learning; non-classroom-based chartering; student support; multi-state expansion; community partnerships; AI and educational technology.
Transcript
Outline
Introduction and Background of Skip Hansen
• Jim Goenner, Ph.D., introduces the meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Skip Hansen.
• Skip Hansen expresses his admiration for the city and the river.
• Jim Goenner highlights Skip Hansen’s 25-year legacy with charter schools.
• Skip Hansen shares his unexpected journey from business to education, emphasizing the importance of running charter schools like a business.
Educational Journey and Early Career
• Skip Hansen discusses his academic background, including attending UC Irvine and initially wanting to be a child psychologist.
• He recounts a pivotal moment with his abnormal psychology teacher who suggested he would excel in sales.
• Skip Hansen describes his early career in commercial real estate and working for companies like Microsoft and General Electric.
• He explains his transition to education, influenced by his experience in business and Six Sigma processes.
Founding of Learn for Life
• Skip Hansen shares the story of how he got involved in charter schools through his father-in-law, Donnie.
• He describes the initial visit to a charter school in Arizona and the concept of giving educators more flexibility and innovation.
• Skip Hansen explains the unique model of Learn for Life, focusing on flexible schedules and addressing the needs of at-risk students.
• He highlights the importance of providing a supportive and open learning environment for students with trauma and other challenges.
Challenges and Successes in the Early Years
• Skip Hansen discusses the initial challenges of running a charter school, including compliance issues and the first audit.
• He recounts the story of a student who spoke at a public hearing, emphasizing the importance of respecting students from the start.
• Skip Hansen explains the unique model of non-classroom-based charter schools in California and the challenges of serving at-risk populations.
• He shares the success of the school in attracting students through advertising and personalized learning plans.
Expansion and Growth of Learn for Life
• Skip Hansen talks about the decision to expand beyond California and the challenges of adapting the model to different states.
• He describes the process of opening new schools and the importance of finding the right people to lead them.
• Skip Hansen explains the creation of the Learn for Life brand and the centralized call center to manage multiple school sites.
• He shares the success of the school in Ohio and the importance of partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits.
Impact and Legacy of Learn for Life
• Skip Hansen discusses the impact of the school on students, including personal stories of students who have succeeded despite challenging backgrounds.
• He highlights the importance of providing wraparound services and support for students with unique needs.
• Skip Hansen shares the story of the documentary “La Lucha” and its impact on raising awareness about the challenges faced by at-risk students.
• He reflects on the future of education and the role of technology, including AI, in improving educational outcomes.
Future Vision and Personal Reflections
• Skip Hansen discusses the future of Learn for Life and the potential for expansion in new states.
• He emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and incorporating AI and other tools into the educational model.
• Skip Hansen reflects on the rewards and challenges of his career, expressing his commitment to continuing his work.
• He concludes by sharing his hope for a future where every student has access to a high-quality education that meets their unique needs.
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