MS. MIMOSA JONES TUNNEY
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Mimosa Jones Tunney is Founder & President of The School House and the American Emergent Curriculum, and a pedagogical scientist dedicated to reimagining American education through evidence-based advanced pedagogy and what we once loved most about American schools.
Her path to education reform was anything but conventional. After graduating from American University’s School of Public Policy in Washington, D.C., she worked for one of the most powerful senators on Capitol Hill and later became one of the youngest gubernatorial speechwriters in the United States. She went on to found two innovative nonprofits, earning the distinction of Deal Maker of the Year while still in her twenties. She then built a successful career in Hollywood, writing for acclaimed television, directing documentary work, and developing film projects at the highest level.
But it was through deep research, motherhood, and a growing conviction that America had lost its way in educating children that Mimosa turned her full attention to the future of learning. Drawing from the great pedagogical thinkers of history and a clear-eyed understanding of child development, she set out to build a new kind of American school—one grounded not in trend or ideology, but in developmental science, coherence, rigor, and humanity.
In 2017, she founded The School House, a child-first independent school for working families in East Northport, New York. Built through the American Emergent Curriculum, The School House is a rigorous, fully developed learning model serving Learners from toddler through middle school. The school integrates strong academics with life skills, creativity, entrepreneurship, and real-world experiences, while preserving the enduring values of civics, economic diversity, sports and movement, and performing arts. Its foundation rests on an interconnected, developmentally aligned curriculum, a transparent Educator and Parent culture, and beautifully prepared environments designed to foster both calm and excellence. Learners have achieved extraordinary outcomes, scoring 2x the national average across all subjects without academic criteria for admission.
Under Mimosa’s leadership, The School House has become a nationally recognized demonstration site for what the future of American education can be. Mimosa and The School House were named finalists for the 2025 Yass Prize, often described as the “Pulitzer of Education.”
Their momentum has drawn the attention of influential leaders, including U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Mimosa has also emerged as a national thought leader in pedagogical science, appearing on Scripps News, Newsmax, Fox News, and American Sunrise, while her work has been cited and featured in publications including Forbes, Newsweek, and Newsday.
In partnership with Long Island University, Mimosa also helped secure a $2.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant to expand child-first civics education nationwide.
In addition to her work as an educational founder and public voice, Mimosa is currently writing three books slated for publication in 2026 and 2027.
Mimosa Jones Tunney is married to John J. Tunney III. Together, the Tunney family created and funded The School House, and John continues to support the mission through his service on the Board of Directors. She is the mother of John and Duke, the inspiration behind all she builds.