This unique institution's structure education system challenges traditional learning models and offers a groundbreaking alternative to formalized education.

As the education landscape continues to evolve and embrace innovative approaches, one institution that showcases the power of decentralization is École 42. With an emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning, École 42 empowers individuals to take control of their learning experience, providing an environment where students can explore and foster their creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills.

Upon entering École 42, the renowned coding school in Paris lacking traditional instructors, one is immediately struck by the vibrant street art throughout, a notable illustrated vending machine and an abundance of iMac’s computers around. During the intense entrance process, known as la piscine (the “swimming pool”), prospective students are put through a rigorous, month-long affair similar to The Hunger Games. With no specific degree or skill set required, accepted students attend classes for free, ranging from three to five years. Impressively, nearly eighty percent of graduates secure employment prior to finishing the course, with all students obtaining employment upon completion.

Inside École 42: A Billionaire's Unique Approach to Education

French businessman and billionaire Xavier Niel is the founder of École 42, which is one small part of his investment portfolio. Niel has invested in the Silicon Valley education system, spending almost $46 million, and over $57 million on the Paris campus. With no traditional classroom structure whatsoever, École 42 is a unique approach to education.

Head of École 42, Nicolas Sadirac, states that the students are responsible for creating what is needed and wanted. Each day at 8:42 in the morning, students are given digital assignments with only 48 hours to complete them, to mimic a real-life work scenario. Students must rely on themselves and their peer group to learn, manage their time and evaluate each other's work. In short, École 42 is the epitome of project-based and peer-to-peer learning, taken to the next level.

The school boasts of a remarkable 100% merit-based selection process. Out of the 64,000 individuals who took the basic online logic test to gain entry into the most recent batch of students, only about 20,000 were able to pass. Due to space constraints, only the top 3,000 were accepted and grouped into pools of 1,000 for a month-long digital project competition. The crème de la crème of performers, who make up one-third, are then granted admission. However, there is an average of 5-15% dropout rate.

Previously, the school used to require students to master a set of skills before graduation, but that requirement no longer applies. Also, the year-long groups are a thing of the past, as students work at varying paces.

The curriculum is structured like a game, with Sadiric likening it explicitly to World of Warcraft, except that dungeons are swapped for digital projects. It offers modules, each with a focus on technology integration, algorithms, or AI, as well as languages like Python, C, Java and Docker-tech. Wired reports that students earn "correction points" to correct other students' work to get their own project corrected. Discipline is meted out by a spin of the wheel, either to "Take orders at the coffee machine" or "Clean the windows with a toothbrush." Wallet points are rewarded for exemplary behavior and can be spent on different items.

École 42 was established in France before any other, contrary to the popular assumption that Silicon Valley is where all great ideas are birthed. Three years after the opening of the Paris flagship, the Fremont campus began operations.

Schools worldwide are scrambling to determine the essential skills needed for future success, including collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication and agency. However, few schools are built with these skills in mind. In addressing the lack of coding talent and inequality in France, Niel created a school centered on these skills, prioritizing logic and motivation over other factors.

École 42 is not your traditional school. According to its co-founder, Xavier Niel, it's "not about learning." Instead, it's an art school for programming. Sadirac, another co-founder, explains that learning old skills and memorizing content hinders creativity and agility. The school's approach focuses on teamwork and solving real-world problems rather than individual work and math prowess. It's not just for men either; École 42 has started a program to encourage young women to learn how to code.

 The Trigger for the Saga

École 42 was founded after a woman from a Parisian coding program impressed Xavier Niel, founder of internet service provider Free, with her coding skills. Niel recognised that too many people were being excluded from programming because of their backgrounds and teamed up with Nicolas Sadirac to build École 42. The non-profit school has already opened branches in South Africa, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria with two more coming soon in Tunisia and the Netherlands. The model is scalable, however some experts have questioned its scope and effectiveness. Employers are keen to recruit from the school and students are provided with numerous internships, with a main focus on employability upon graduation.

Last year, School 42 was opened in Fremont, California, which gained support from Silicon Valley elites like Jack Dorsey and Stuart Butterfield. However, the school faces hurdles in the US, such as mistrust in anything free, lack of accreditation, and inability to help students obtain visas. Despite these challenges, School 42 offers hope for thousands of young people with limited options, providing an education, community, and real-life skills that are highly sought after by employers. The success of School 42 in France has yet to be replicated in Silicon Valley, but for those like Sebastien Faucher, it offers a chance to pursue their dream careers.