“Wisdom is brought about by need. I think there’s a need,” said billionaire tech entrepreneur John Marshall.
Read more Spurs upset Thunder in Game 7 to advance to NBA Finals against Knicks
Marshall is among a growing group of ultra-wealthy founders who, in recent years, have taken on a new role in South Florida: private school creators.
Marshall moved to Miami Beach in 2014 and later became a father of two daughters. When one turned 4, he began rethinking traditional education. “The more we peeled back what we wanted in a school, the more we thought we should do our own,” he said.
That idea led to the launch of BaseCamp305.
The school opened in 2019 and, three years later, secured a permanent location near Collins Avenue and 23rd Street in Miami Beach. Today, it serves about 50 students and promotes a curriculum centered on entrepreneurship, project-based learning and presentations. Technology is a core component, with students regularly working with robots and 3D printers.
BaseCamp305 is part of a broader trend of privately funded school ventures in South Florida. In Palm Beach, developer Jeff Greene founded The Greene School. Also in Palm Beach County, developer Stephen Ross plans to open Wingrove Academy for the 2028 school year. Earlier this year, NBC6 reported that WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann is planning a private Jewish school in El Portal.
For founders like Marshall, the motivation is not primarily financial. Tuition at BaseCamp305 is about $30,000 annually, but he points to a lack of diverse educational options as the driving force.
“Entrepreneurs are coming in with a view of where the world is going,” Marshall said. “There’s nothing wrong with adding more dynamics. When you’re building schools, you want the water level to rise for everybody.”
Building a school, however, requires more than a vision. Recruiting top-tier faculty is critical. At BaseCamp305, teachers are selected for their credentials and professional expertise, often extending beyond the classroom. Salaries can exceed $80,000 — more than double the typical pay at many private schools, according to the school.
Read more Looking back at the history between the Knicks and Spurs ahead of the NBA Finals
Another item needed to create a school is the land it will be built on.
“Land prices are astronomical,” said Marshall. “But, just getting something done takes a lot of time, a lot of energy, and to a certain extent, a lot of friction with the community and the city. I think that’s been a big challenge for us.”
In its early days, BaseCamp305 leased a floor in Emilio Estefan’s office building. The school now operates two campuses: a primary site on Collins Avenue serving prekindergarten through second grade, and another location west of Fifth Street for third through fifth grades.
They chose that location because just a block away from their main building, construction was delayed. But now, it’s moving along.
“We just got approval from the historical board where we’re going to take this building down, rebuild the facade and then use this area for a turf field where this white building is,” said Marshall. “Then the kids will have a really nice outdoor play area, too.”
After five years of back and forth, they are finally constructing their third location to help their school, which is currently serving only Pre-K through 5th grade, expand to upper levels. The multi-million-dollar project is set to be ready for fall, including new classrooms, outdoor space, and event space for the entire community to utilize.
With only a handful of openings for the next school year, Marshall hopes families see value in the expanding range of private education options.
“We are world class in beaches and restaurants and festivals,” he said. “People should think of Miami Beach as being world class in schools. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be.”
Read more Boy, 15, charged in rape of girl, 12, in Miami booked into jail, records show