Stride at 25: Redefining the Digital Learning Ecosystem for Today’s K–12 Learners

 

As virtual learning matures and school choice accelerates across the U.S.,the 25th anniversary of Stride Inc. offers a moment to reflect on how far the digital learning ecosystem has come and where it’s headed.. Once known as K12 Inc., the company helped pioneer online education at scale. But in a landscape shaped by evolving parent expectations, political tensions, and shifting definitions of “student success,” what should a K-12 education company look like today?

What does it mean to truly serve students as customers, and how can virtual education overcome its lingering stigma while delivering real-world outcomes?

In this episode of The Future of Education, host Michael Horn sits down with James Rhyu, CEO of Stride Inc., to explore the past, present, and future of one of the most influential companies in online education. The conversation covers Stride’s evolution from a virtual K–12 provider to a multifaceted learning platform, the pressures and promise of personalization, and what it means to meet families where they are.

The main topics of conversation…

  • Reframing the student as a customer: Rhyu argues that treating students and families as customers, not entitlements, could transform how the K-12 education system responds to diverse needs.
  • Redefining outcomes: While traditional measures like test scores remain relevant, many Stride families are motivated by safety, flexibility, and the ability to earn a diploma as a path to stability.
  • Career-connected learning: From coding bootcamps to career readiness programs, Stride is expanding beyond academics to offer training aligned with workforce realities.

James Rhyu is the Chief Executive Officer of Stride, Inc., where he leads efforts to innovate and expand access to K–12 education through a growing digital learning ecosystem. With over 20 years of executive experience across industries including education, media, and tech, he has held senior roles at companies like Match, Dow Jones, and SiriusXM. Rhyu brings a strong background in finance, corporate strategy, and technology to his mission of transforming education for the next generation.

Recent Episodes

Work is changing fast. Automation and artificial intelligence aren’t just reshaping how we work—they’re redefining who gets access to opportunity in the first place. With frontline workers making up a significant share of the American workforce—and one in eight Americans having worked at McDonald’s—the discussion about education, skills, and upward mobility feels more urgent…

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Adam Coughran, founder of Safe Kids, Inc., about how private and faith-based schools can strengthen safety practices despite limited resources. KEY POINTS: Physical systems, community engagement, and knowledge must work together for effective…

Artificial intelligence has reached a crucial inflection point. Once imagined as a fast track to artificial general intelligence, the field has instead hit a plateau—prompting leaders, educators, and innovators to rethink AI’s true purpose. As companies and schools race to adopt automation, questions about cost, ethics, and human purpose are rising to the forefront. According…