Learning from America’s Affluent. Raising “Gifted Children” in the Age of AI.

Editor’s Note: The following article was originally written in Japanese by Masashi Ijichi for Nikkei in Japan. It has been translated into English and lightly edited to improve clarity while preserving the original meaning.

Learning from America’s Affluent

Raising “Gifted Children” in the Age of AI

The Future Map of Knowledge: A National Strategy Beginning at Age Three

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The Value of Human “Knowledge” Is Being Reexamined

The value of human “knowledge” is now being challenged at its core. Generative AI is entering intellectual fields once believed to be uniquely human, while deepening global divisions and conflicts seem increasingly difficult to control.

What abilities will humans need most in the future? Around the world—and in Japan—urgent efforts are underway to rebuild the foundations of learning through early education. This report looks at the front lines of that transformation.

About 40% of the world’s millionaires, defined as those with assets exceeding $1 million (approximately ¥160 million), are concentrated in the United States. In America alone, about 1,000 new millionaires are created every day, bringing the total to roughly 24 million.

To preserve and grow their wealth, affluent families are moving quickly to stay ahead in an era shaped by AI and uncertainty. Their focus is on developing “problem-solving skills” and “collaborative ability” through early education—cultivating creative, intangible abilities that go beyond simply acquiring knowledge.

Kindergarten Admissions: The World’s Toughest Competition

A dry winter chill filled the air in New York. In November 2025, inside a 35-story high-rise in Manhattan, Wendy Levey welcomed us warmly from across a spacious room.

“It must have been cold outside. Welcome.”

Doctors, lawyers, hedge fund professionals, and families from around the world visit her, seeking advice on their children’s education. Her consultations rarely slow down.

Levey studied education at university and founded an early childhood school and activity center. Over the past many years, she has helped guide the education of many thousands of children, from families caring deeply about education.

In New York today, competition for preschool admission among children aged two to four has reached extraordinary levels. Many prestigious schools offer integrated programs that run from kindergarten all the way through high school.

“Kindergarten admissions can shape a child’s entire future. In New York, getting into preschool is the first major hurdle in life,” Levey explains.

Acceptance rates at top private preschools can fall below 10%. As uncertainty about the future increases, so does parental anxiety—driving competition even higher.

Annual tuition in private schools averages about $70,000 (roughly ¥11 million). If a child attends an integrated private school through high school, total costs can reach at least ¥150 million per child—and close to two million dollars (¥300 million) for two children.

Demand for Levey’s consulting continues to grow, and her schedule remains fully booked.

When advising families from two years old to eighteen years, her top priority is helping their children stand out.

“AI tends to guide everyone toward similar answers. That’s exactly why each child needs to develop a ‘deep personal story’ that makes them unique,” she says.

High-income Americans are heavily concentrated along the East Coast.

Levey carefully studies the parents’ professions, interests and the child’s daily life, uncovering family stories that can help build a distinctive and interesting narrative.

“For example, I usually don’t recommend tennis or piano as extra-curricular activities. Too many children pursue them, which makes it harder to stand out.”

“If an Asian family consults me, I may recommend a school where there are relatively few Asian students.”

She has also noticed that parents are seeking advice earlier than ever.

“Recently, someone came to see me while still pregnant.”

Even affluent families in the world’s largest economy feel growing anxiety about the future.

“Parents are desperate to secure the best possible education as early as they can. That sense of urgency is pushing them to seek guidance sooner,” Levey says.

Debate Training Begins at Age Five

In central Manhattan stands the prestigious private school Speyer, which has been gaining attention for its focus on developing skills needed in the AI era starting in early childhood.

Located about ten minutes from Central Park, the orange-brick campus serves 344 students aged 5 to 14 from affluent families. Annual tuition is about $66,000 (¥11 million).

Photography of students was not allowed, but children from diverse backgrounds filled the hallways, speaking a mix of 27 different languages.

During a debate class, instructor Rebecca Mackay addressed the room.

“Everyone! Tell me the pros and cons of cities and suburbs—and remember to use ‘because.’”

All sixteen students immediately raised their hands.

“I prefer cities because without skyscrapers blocking the sun, it gets too hot,” said one six-year-old.

What followed was a lively exchange of opposing viewpoints. The children’s ability to structure arguments and use sophisticated vocabulary was striking.

After the class, Mackay explained:

“Through debate, children learn about the diverse values of classmates from around the world. It helps them develop cooperation and the ability to see issues from multiple perspectives.”

Debate classes begin at age five and are held once a week for 40 minutes, along with a 75-minute extracurricular session each week.

Students practice projecting their voices, listening attentively, maintaining confident posture, and even basic courtroom advocacy techniques.

Samantha Gabrielli, head of the lower school, explains:

“Soft skills are extremely important today—especially perseverance and emotional regulation. Developing those skills is one of our top priorities.”

In an era when AI can quickly accumulate knowledge, traditional rote-learning prodigies are no longer the focus.

A School That Feels Like a Company

Northeast of Manhattan lies Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University and MIT. In a small theater building there, the innovative high school NuVu is attracting global attention.

This five-year private school enrolls only 34 students (roughly equivalent to grades 8 through 12 in Japan), with annual tuition of about $50,000 (¥8 million).

There are no conventional classrooms, staff rooms, or fixed schedules. Instead, the space resembles a startup workshop filled with 3D printers, soldering tools, and filmmaking equipment.

Students work with “coaches” on a single theme every three to four weeks, repeating cycles of deep project immersion throughout the year.

One group collaborated with a nonprofit that supports formerly incarcerated individuals, designing shared housing for about 30 residents.

“We conducted repeated interviews while developing the design,” explained 15-year-old student Kaia Narbunshart.

Students begin without prior expertise. Over weeks of intensive work, they gradually overcome challenges, learn new tools, and master architectural software to produce blueprints, 3D models, and presentation videos.

Another group focused on the endangered right whales off Boston’s coast. To prevent whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear, they designed new buoy systems that protect the whales while still supporting traditional lobster fishing.

“Every project is challenging. Discovering problems together and solving them as a team is an incredibly valuable learning experience,” said 17-year-old David Giffin.

From 8:30 a.m. until after 5 p.m., students devote themselves to their projects. Goals are reviewed daily and weekly with coaches, and reflection sessions are held at the end of each week. The structure resembles the workflow of a company.

“NuVu does not rely on traditional textbook-centered instruction. Learning begins with real-world challenges,” said co-founder Saba Ghole.

Through these demanding projects, students develop creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Many of these young Americans eventually enter society prepared to create value from nothing. Of the world’s 1,276 unicorn startups in 2025, more than half—705—are based in the United States, a statistic that may not be coincidental.

Educational institutions are now under pressure to maximize human intellectual potential.

NuVu’s curriculum has already spread globally. About 50 schools in 12 countries—including the United States, the Middle East, China, and Europe—have adopted the program, reaching roughly 13,000 students.

The effort to redefine human knowledge is accelerating across America.

Japan cannot afford to fall behind.

Uniform education alone is no longer enough to ensure success.

What should be done next?