Introducing the Thrive Schools Program
Because a zip code should not define a child's access to quality education...
Because a zip code should not define a child's access to quality education...
Join Us In This Visionary Effort
Arik and Melinda Armstead founded the Armstead Academic Project (AAP) in 2019 because they believed that every child—regardless of socioeconomic status—deserves the conditions to truly thrive.
Over the past six years, AAP has served more than 7,000 children and teens through literacy supports, career exposure, wellness programming, and opportunities to explore their full potential. Through this work, we have witnessed something profound: when the right conditions are present, children flourish. And when those conditions are missing, inequity grows.
This insight has deepened our understanding of AAP’s unique opportunity—and calling—to help create more equitable learning environments for U.S. children.
What if schools became “Blue Zones” for learning?
In parts of the world known as Blue Zones, people live longer, healthier, more joyful lives because their environments are intentionally designed to support wellbeing—community connection, purpose, movement, healthy habits, and belonging.
At AAP, we asked: What if we applied the same wisdom to education?
What if schools in underserved communities were intentionally designed to cultivate the conditions of thriving—academic rigor paired with joy, belonging, wellness, stability, and possibility?
Introducing the AAP Thrive Schools Program
Beginning in 2026, AAP will launch a bold, five-year effort to transform learning environments by investing in schools located in underserved communities across California and Florida.
The needs of each Thrive School will differ, but members of the AAP community—volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters—can help create “educational Blue Zones” by contributing to initiatives that help students succeed.
We invite partners to join us in this visionary effort to enrich classroom instruction, elevate learning environments, and spark joy for children who have too often been left behind.
Together, we can build schools where every child has the opportunity to flourish—just as every thriving community should.