Extreme Learning was founded in 2002 by David Payne, a former school principal motivated by a strong desire to continue working to improve children and families’ experiences with the California education system.  David crafted a new technology-driven approach to academic support designed to ignite students’ passion for learning and boost academic achievement. The first Extreme Learning Center opened that founding year in Morgan Hill, providing tutoring and enrichment services directly to families.

In July 2003, the California State Board of Education approved Extreme Learning as a Supplemental Service Provider, and the company began offering an Academic Support Program and Exit Exam preparation to school districts. Through customer-oriented, high-tech, low-cost programs and documented student success, Extreme Learning has expanded statewide.

Extreme Learning currently serves more than 13,000 students per year in 1,000 schools across 98 districts throughout California with our onsite and @Avanza Online programs.

David Payne founded Extreme Learning in 2002. He is a former middle and high school teacher.  He was assistant principal at Gilroy High School and principal of Homestead High School in Cupertino, a California Distinguished High School. He became a visiting Professor of Education and Business at UCLA, then founded and served as CEO of WebLearning, an online education company.  David earned his degree in political science, his Master's Degree in Education and a teaching credential from Stanford University.  He holds two administrative credentials earned from U.C. Berkeley. Dave is bilingual in Spanish.