PenPal Schools

PenPal Schools operates as a social enterprise, providing a digital platform that connects students from a global network for collaborative online learning projects. Established in 2012 by founder Joe Troyen, the Austin-based company digitizes the traditional pen pal experience, integrating it with structured academic content. Troyen's journey began during his college years while studying Spanish; he identified a need for authentic language practice, which later evolved into the concept of connecting students to discuss current events.

The company's core offering is a web-based platform where teachers can enroll their students, aged 8-18, into project-based learning modules. These projects span a variety of subjects, including social studies, science, language arts, and robotics, and are aligned with academic standards like the Common Core. Students are matched with peers from different countries to collaborate on these projects over several weeks. The curriculum includes materials such as videos and non-fiction texts to build background knowledge before students engage in forum-style discussions with their international pen pals. This model aims to increase student engagement in reading and writing by providing a real-world audience. The platform also incorporates features for teachers to monitor student interactions, provide private feedback, and assess performance on skills like digital citizenship and social-emotional learning.

PenPal Schools' business model operates on a freemium and subscription basis. Initially offering a 'pay-what-you-want' model, the company has since structured its revenue generation around school and district-level site licenses. The first few teachers from a school can typically register for free, with broader access requiring a paid license. Discounts are available for schools in low-income areas to ensure wider accessibility. The company has connected over half a million students across more than 150 countries. A significant milestone for the firm was its acquisition by Nearpod, a major player in instructional delivery platforms, which was subsequently acquired by Renaissance Learning in 2021 for $650 million.

Keywords: educational technology, global collaboration, project-based learning, digital literacy, student engagement, K-12 education, social-emotional learning, online learning platform, intercultural exchange, classroom technology, collaborative projects, EdTech, global citizenship, writing skills, reading comprehension, teacher tools, digital curriculum, Nearpod, student pen pals, international education