CGA's 5-Year Anniversary: Reflections with our CEO and Founder

This year, Crimson Global Academy (CGA) proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary. From a bold idea to a thriving, global online high school with 2,000 students across 70+ countries, CGA has reimagined education for the 21st century.

In a special conversation, CGA CEO Penelope Barton and Founder Dr Jamie Beaton reflect on the journey — the early challenges, the inspiring community it has built, and their exciting vision for the future.

Read on to discover how CGA has become a trailblazer in online education and what’s next for this dynamic, innovative school.

The Early Days of CGA: A Vision Takes Shape

Penelope Barton: Jamie, if you could describe the last five years of CGA in one word, what would it be?

Jamie Beaton: If I had to pick one word, it would be roller coaster. Starting CGA was a huge leap. There were intense moments of challenge, but also moments of exhilaration as we started to see the vision come to life.

At the time, New Zealand didn’t have legislation for online private schools. We had to pioneer something completely new. That meant working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education, securing approvals, and building trust with families — all while designing an education model that didn’t yet exist in the country.

But the ambition was clear: to create a world-class online school, accessible to students anywhere, allowing them to learn without borders. We wanted to give bright, ambitious students the opportunity to learn at their pace, supported by brilliant teachers and a global community.

Today, when I see CGA’s vibrant classes full of students from Tokyo to New York, I know the early roller coaster ride was worth it.

Penelope: Take us back to when you first envisioned CGA. What inspired you?

Jamie: The idea really crystallised during my time at Stanford. I had the chance to study Stanford Online High School while doing my MBA in Education. Meeting students who were thriving in an online environment — some of the smartest young minds globally — opened my eyes to what was possible.

I realised online education could offer a different kind of flexibility: students could accelerate if they were ready, access specialist subjects otherwise unavailable locally, and learn from world-class teachers without being limited by geography.

Later, at Oxford, I dug deeper into what makes a great online school. I found that live teaching — not pre-recorded videos — was critical. Small class sizes, passionate teachers, and individualised pathways mattered immensely.

From these experiences, the vision for CGA emerged: a truly global online private school focused on excellence, community, and innovation.

Building a New Model for Global Education

Penelope: Starting an online school from scratch must have come with many challenges. What were some of the biggest?

Jamie: Beyond the regulatory hurdles, one of the biggest challenges was helping families understand the quality of what we were building.
There were already some online options available, but many were outdated — students isolated behind computer screens, watching lectures. That’s not what CGA is.

We set out to deliver highly interactive, live classes, led by outstanding teachers who could truly inspire. We focused on academic rigor, offering globally recognised curricula like the International GCSEs, A-Levels, and the Advanced Placement (AP) programme from the U.S.

We also made sure that CGA would be a place where students felt part of a real school community — with clubs, leadership opportunities, and friendships that transcend borders.

Penelope: It’s amazing how quickly that community spirit took hold. Even when students were thousands of kilometres apart, you could feel the energy in class discussions, student-led initiatives, and events like our Virtual Science Fair or Model UN simulations.

Jamie: Exactly. The human connection is what makes CGA more than just an academic institution — it’s a home for young people with big dreams.

Milestones Along the Way: Achievements That Shaped Us

Jamie: Penelope, CGA has achieved some significant milestones — can you highlight a few you're most proud of?

Penelope: One standout moment was achieving full WASC accreditation — and not just any accreditation, but the maximum six-year term granted to schools demonstrating excellence.
We were the youngest school ever to achieve it, which validated that CGA could meet — and exceed — the gold standards in global education.

We were also recognised among the Top 10 U.S. STEM schools and ranked Top 3 worldwide for online innovation, ahead of schools that had been operating for decades longer.

Another milestone has been the size and diversity of our community. From our first cohort of just a few students, we now have over 2,000 students across 70+ countries. And we’re not just growing in size — our students are gaining admissions to top universities like Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, and other world-leading institutions.

Jamie: It's incredible. I always say, it’s not just about numbers — it’s about the stories behind the numbers. Students who had outgrown their local schools found a place where they could thrive. Students who dreamed of Ivy League universities got there — because they finally had the right environment and support.

A Truly Global Classroom

Penelope: The international nature of CGA is remarkable. How has that shaped the experience for students?

Jamie: It’s everything. Imagine being a 14-year-old in Sydney, attending a live Economics class where your classmates are dialling in from Dubai, São Paulo, and Paris. Every class becomes a global conversation.

Students aren’t just learning subjects — they’re learning cross-cultural communication, global thinking, and empathy. Those are essential skills for today’s interconnected world.

Penelope: And that sense of connection extends beyond the classroom. Our clubs — whether it’s Robotics, Creative Writing, or the Entrepreneurship Society — bring students together based on passion, not postcode.

Students at CGA don’t just attend a school — they become part of a global network for life.

Redefining Success: Beyond Traditional Education

Penelope: Many of CGA’s students are highly ambitious. How has the CGA model helped them unlock new opportunities?

Jamie: Traditional schooling often moves at one speed for everyone, which can be frustrating for students ready to go faster or dive deeper.

At CGA, we allow acceleration. A 15-year-old can take A-Level Mathematics if they’re ready. A student passionate about Computer Science can pursue Advanced Placement Computer Science earlier than they would in a traditional system.

We also offer micro-credentials and partnerships with universities, giving students a head start on their careers.

The result? Students see themselves differently. They realise they’re not limited by age or geography. Their confidence soars.

Reflections and Gratitude

Penelope: What’s been the most rewarding part of this journey for you personally?

Jamie: Watching the spark ignite in a student’s eyes. When a young person realises they’re capable of achieving more than they ever thought possible — that’s the real magic.

And it’s not just academics. It’s seeing students who were shy step into leadership roles, students who felt disconnected find their community, and students who dreamed of changing the world begin taking real steps toward doing just that.

Penelope: I couldn’t agree more. Watching students blossom, building friendships across continents, and setting out boldly into the world — it’s the ultimate reward for everything we’ve built.

Looking to the Future: What’s Next for CGA

Penelope: If we look ahead five years, where do you see CGA?

Jamie: I see CGA as the world’s leading future-focused global high school.

We’ll continue to innovate with AI and adaptive learning — but always with exceptional human teachers at the core.

Students will increasingly design their own personalised learning journeys, accessing university-level content, developing entrepreneurial skills, and exploring new frontiers like artificial intelligence, climate solutions, and global health — even before graduating high school.

We’ll also deepen our alumni network, ensuring students stay connected long after graduation — building a community of leaders, creators, and change-makers who are reshaping the world.

Penelope: And we’ll keep doing what CGA does best: offering a place where curious, ambitious, global-minded students come together to learn, grow, and prepare for extraordinary futures.

Final Reflections

Five years ago, Crimson Global Academy was just a bold idea. Today, it’s a thriving, vibrant global school reshaping how education works for the modern world.

Through innovation, academic excellence, and a relentless commitment to student success, CGA has proved that learning without borders isn't just possible — it’s powerful.

As CEO Penelope Barton and Founder Jamie Beaton reflect on the journey, one thing is clear: CGA isn’t just preparing students for university — it’s preparing them to lead in a complex, fast-changing world.

And the best is still to come.