For nearly 20 years, Khan Academy has been a reliable partner for educators—trusted by teachers, administrators, and students because our platform works. Across New Mexico and beyond, learners have used Khan Academy to build mastery and confidence in math, SAT prep, and more.
But we’ve learned something important along the way: reliability alone isn’t enough.
Some students love Khan Academy. Others know it’s good for them—but don’t always feel excited to log in.
As Stacie Johnson, a former math teacher who now leads professional learning at Khan Academy, puts it:
“Khan Academy is like Brussels sprouts. Teachers and parents know it’s good for kids. But kids don’t always think so—and we get it. Our job now is to make the Brussels sprouts taste better.”
So that’s exactly what we set out to do.
Today, we’re inviting New Mexico districts to participate in a reimagined Khan Academy Districts experience—one designed to motivate learners, support teachers, and align to district priorities.
Watch the replay of our January 2026 webinar made exclusively for New Mexico educators about how to plan for the SAT district-wide:
A reimagined Khan Academy—built for real classrooms
Motivated, independent learners have long used Khan Academy to reach major milestones—from raising SAT scores to becoming first-generation college students. We’re proud to have been part of those journeys.
As we know, most students don’t learn alone.
They learn with teachers beside them, peers around them, and clear expectations guiding their daily work.
That’s why in 2019, we launched Khan Academy Districts, bringing our platform directly into district classrooms. In 2023, we introduced Khanmigo, our AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant. Over the next several years, we partnered closely with educators to answer a critical question:
How can AI help students persist in learning—without replacing teachers or lowering rigor?
The answer is the most significant transformation of Khan Academy in our history.
Time for an upgrade
New Mexico educators are tackling big, complex goals: closing math gaps, supporting students with diverse learning needs, improving graduation outcomes, and ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction.
We already know Khan Academy works. Independent research shows that students who use Khan Academy make meaningful academic gains across grades and demographics. Educators trust our rigor—and we’re keeping it.
What’s new is the day-to-day experience.
We didn’t trade reliability for flash. Instead, we focused on making Khan Academy:
- Smarter
- Smoother
- More intuitive
- More motivating for all learners
The reimagined experience is designed to help more students spend more time learning—while making teachers’ jobs easier, not harder.
Built by listening to educators and students
This rebuild started with listening.
Students told us Khan Academy could feel overwhelming or boring at times—and that they weren’t always sure what to work on next. Teachers shared that while our learning science was strong, the tools needed to better fit real classroom rhythms. District leaders emphasized alignment to instructional priorities, accessibility standards, and responsible AI use.
This is not a finished product handed down from above.
It’s an ongoing collaboration.
We’re building with educators—not just for them.
From feedback to a reimagined system
Armed with that feedback, we brought together former educators, engineers, designers, and researchers with a shared mission: make Khan Academy more engaging without compromising what makes it effective.
As lead engineer Shawn Jansepar explains:
“We knew our platform was effective, but it had shortcomings. It wasn’t fully accessible. Some students found it boring or confusing. Teachers lacked visibility into district expectations. So we started from scratch to build a classroom-first experience where practice feels like play, students feel supported, and alignment with district goals is built in.”
This new experience is currently being piloted with districts, with broader availability planned for back-to-school 2026.
What’s new for New Mexico classrooms
For students
Students can easily see what they should work on next and receive personalized support when they get stuck. Khanmigo acts as a learning coach—encouraging persistence and understanding rather than shortcuts.
Practice feels more engaging, with built-in motivation and celebrations along the way—while keeping learning rigorous and meaningful.
For teachers
The classroom-centered design makes Khan Academy easier to use for daily instruction. Teachers receive actionable insights without digging through reports—seeing what’s working, who needs support, and what to assign next.
AI reduces friction, giving teachers more time for instruction, creativity, and connection.
For school and district leaders
Instruction aligns to pacing, priorities, and accessibility expectations, with safeguards built in. Khanmigo is embedded directly into the platform—as a teaching assistant, administrator aide, and learning coach—grounded in Khan Academy’s trusted content and pedagogy.
The goal is simple: help more New Mexico students engage with and master grade-level material.
Same nonprofit mission. Stronger experience.
Khan Academy remains the same nonprofit organization committed to putting learning first. Our content is still research-backed and free from commercial influence.
What’s changed is the experience: it’s smoother, more accessible, and more engaging for classrooms—while remaining rigorous and trusted by educators.
Still the same mission.
Now redesigned for motivation, not just mastery.
What’s next for New Mexico districts
District leaders interested in learning more can request a demo to explore how this initiative aligns with district priorities.
We’re excited to partner with New Mexico educators to ensure every student has access to learning experiences that are effective, engaging, and built for real classrooms
