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It Takes a School: The Extraordinary Story of an American School in the World's #1 Failed State
A story of David and Goliath proportions, how an American hedge fund manager created a unique school in Somaliland whose students, against all odds, have come to achieve success beyond anyone’s wildest dreams
Jonathan Starr, once a cutthroat hedge fund manager, is not your traditional do-gooder, and in 2009, when he decided to found Abaarso, a secondary school in Somaliland, the choice seemed crazy to even his closest friends. “Why,” they wondered, “would he turn down a life of relative luxury to relocate to an armed compound in a breakaway region of the world’s #1 failed state?” To achieve his mission, Starr would have to overcome profound cultural differences, broken promises, and threats to his safety and that of his staff.
It Takes a School is the story of how an abstract vision became a transformative reality, as Starr set out to build a school in a place forgotten by the world. It is the story of a skeptical and clan-based society learning to give way to trust. And it’s the story of the students themselves, including a boy from a family of nomads who took off on his own in search of an education and a girl who waged a hunger strike in order to convince her strict parents to send her to Abaarso.
Abaarso has placed forty graduates and counting in American universities, from Harvard to MIT, and sends Somaliland a clear message: its children can compete with anyone in the world. Now the initial question Starr was asked demands another: “If such a success can happen in an unrecognized breakaway region of Somalia, can it not happen anywhere?”
Jonathan Starr, once a cutthroat hedge fund manager, is not your traditional do-gooder, and in 2009, when he decided to found Abaarso, a secondary school in Somaliland, the choice seemed crazy to even his closest friends. “Why,” they wondered, “would he turn down a life of relative luxury to relocate to an armed compound in a breakaway region of the world’s #1 failed state?” To achieve his mission, Starr would have to overcome profound cultural differences, broken promises, and threats to his safety and that of his staff.
It Takes a School is the story of how an abstract vision became a transformative reality, as Starr set out to build a school in a place forgotten by the world. It is the story of a skeptical and clan-based society learning to give way to trust. And it’s the story of the students themselves, including a boy from a family of nomads who took off on his own in search of an education and a girl who waged a hunger strike in order to convince her strict parents to send her to Abaarso.
Abaarso has placed forty graduates and counting in American universities, from Harvard to MIT, and sends Somaliland a clear message: its children can compete with anyone in the world. Now the initial question Starr was asked demands another: “If such a success can happen in an unrecognized breakaway region of Somalia, can it not happen anywhere?”
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2017
8 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Starr
5 books8 followersJonathan Starr founded and led the private investment firm Flagg Street Capital, worked as an Analyst at SAB Capital and Blavin and Company, and as a Research Associate within the Taxable Bond Division at Fidelity Investments. Using a half million dollars from his personal finances, Starr created the Abaarso School in 2009. His work in Somaliland has been written about in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, CNN, and the Christian Science Monitor.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 27, 2017
I saw this book sitting on the shelf in the new book section at the library and picked it up. What Jonathan Starr has done is take his own money (earned as a former hedge fund manager) and started a school in Somaliland. Not just a school, but a high school that has taken students from one of the poorest regions on the Earth and offered them the educational opportunities that led to acceptance and scholarships at many renowned US universities.
I really knew nothing about Somaliland before reading this book. I've read books about abject poverty before, but have not read much about this part of Africa. It's fascinating to learn more about how their clan culture works, some about the politics of the region, and about the girls who live in this country. This is the sort of book that upon reading it, makes me feel lucky once again to have been born a woman in the United States of America.
This book is so inspiring to me. It's the story of one man making a real difference in the world. He is not perfect, he is not a formal educator, he deals with life and death issues, and he describes them all in a very relatable manner. He does not say that his way of doing things is the only way or the right way. He just says it was the right way for his school.
Two of my favorite quotes include:
"Tenacity cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is a lesson that a school can promote every day."
"Mostly, college is about focus, work ethic, and making the most out of available resources. It is about being tenacious, not stopping until the job is done right, and prioritizing studying over partying."
I really loved this book (and it didn't hurt that the author clearly respects MIT =) ).
I really knew nothing about Somaliland before reading this book. I've read books about abject poverty before, but have not read much about this part of Africa. It's fascinating to learn more about how their clan culture works, some about the politics of the region, and about the girls who live in this country. This is the sort of book that upon reading it, makes me feel lucky once again to have been born a woman in the United States of America.
This book is so inspiring to me. It's the story of one man making a real difference in the world. He is not perfect, he is not a formal educator, he deals with life and death issues, and he describes them all in a very relatable manner. He does not say that his way of doing things is the only way or the right way. He just says it was the right way for his school.
Two of my favorite quotes include:
"Tenacity cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is a lesson that a school can promote every day."
"Mostly, college is about focus, work ethic, and making the most out of available resources. It is about being tenacious, not stopping until the job is done right, and prioritizing studying over partying."
I really loved this book (and it didn't hurt that the author clearly respects MIT =) ).
August 22, 2017
While the story is inspiring, the author's voice never developed making this a laborious read at times. The author's tone was that of self-aggrandizement while consistently critiquing and pontificating about educational best practices. Keep in mind that the author/creator of the school had no educational background at the inception of the school. Definitely not my cup of tea.
June 7, 2017
Somaliland is a separate country from Somalia, though they share Somalian people in common. Author Jonathan Starr's uncle is from Somaliland so he knew about the country and its problems. After running a successful hedge fund firm, Starr retired and earmarked a half a million dollars with the intention of establishing a boarding school in Somaliland. He planned an education system based on critical thinking skills and preparing students for higher education abroad. The Abaarso school faced many obstacles, from identifying teachers willing to work for room and board to learning the intricacies of clan-based social systems. That he was able to establish the school at all, nonetheless be a success, is a testament to his ideals and ambition and unfailing belief.
The book's heart is with the stories of the students. Children who were goat herders with little education or English pass the admission test, and then give 100%, achieving remarkable success in a short time. Starr was able to place his graduates in MIT, Harvard, and a host of top-tier liberal arts colleges.
I kept remembering the old commercial, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," for these children, boys and girls, were doomed to lives as goat herders and teenage brides. And what a loss it would have been for these children of such high intelligence, dreaming of becoming a doctor or an engineer, had they never had a chance. We root for them and are inspired by them.
I received a free book through a giveaway by the publisher.
The book's heart is with the stories of the students. Children who were goat herders with little education or English pass the admission test, and then give 100%, achieving remarkable success in a short time. Starr was able to place his graduates in MIT, Harvard, and a host of top-tier liberal arts colleges.
I kept remembering the old commercial, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," for these children, boys and girls, were doomed to lives as goat herders and teenage brides. And what a loss it would have been for these children of such high intelligence, dreaming of becoming a doctor or an engineer, had they never had a chance. We root for them and are inspired by them.
I received a free book through a giveaway by the publisher.
February 6, 2017
Really extraordinary and inspiring story written with a tone and narrative that you wouldn't expect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
May 28, 2017
Interesting topic but very stilted writing.
March 26, 2018
As a teacher, I am a sucker for any inspirational story about a school. And what Jonathan Starr has done with the Abaarso school is extraordinary. I loved reading about his initial class of students - their backgrounds, struggles, and triumphs. I also learned a fair amount about Somaliland, of which I knew nothing before. I really struggled with how Starr came across in many parts of that book. He came off as a privileged white man who hadn't done much work to understand the way race, gender, and culture had shaped his identity and therefore his perspective. A good chunk of the book is about the conflict between him and one of his initial allies. I found it to be whiney and vindictive. His ego seemed too much involved in this project from the start. Although I love stories about students and schools achieving against all odds, I am also somewhat skeptical when those schools are run by wealthy, white, outsiders. It is clear Starr is committed to the long-term viability of his projects and is dedicated to having Somalis in charge in the long run, but it is sometimes hard to see him as genuine because there is not a lot of humility and self-reflection in his story.
May 16, 2022
As an aspiring teacher, this book MOTIVATES me to make a difference. Jonathan Starr was a hedge fund manager who decided to go to Somaliland to started a school there. His change in career made an inspiring impact on his students. They were able to get the education that would not had been possible without somebody taking a chance in their country. It opened a world of possibilities where they were able to access higher education in the United States with scholarship offers.
Against all odds, both for himself and his students in Somaliland, they are able to overcome all obstacles that they had to face. Jonathan had to find teachers who were willing to work for room and board to clan based social systems in their culture. Many of the students were goat herders and spoke little to no English. Jonathan was able to help them succeed by planning an education system based on critical thinking skills and preparing students for higher education outside of their country.
Highly recommend this book for inspiration.
Against all odds, both for himself and his students in Somaliland, they are able to overcome all obstacles that they had to face. Jonathan had to find teachers who were willing to work for room and board to clan based social systems in their culture. Many of the students were goat herders and spoke little to no English. Jonathan was able to help them succeed by planning an education system based on critical thinking skills and preparing students for higher education outside of their country.
Highly recommend this book for inspiration.
March 10, 2017
Very impressed with the dedication and perseverance demonstrated by Jonathan Starr in starting and guiding the school as it to grew and flourished.
When I read books like this, I often put myself in the author's shoes.
Honestly, I cannot do that with this story.
Despite spending my adult life an a literacy educator in elementary schools, the idea of opening a school in a country like Somaliland would never have entered my mind or any foreign country, for that matter.
Then I probably would have called it a day after the first hint of uncertainty.
Jonathan Starr had his share of obstacles and it seemed to energize him.
Jonathan Starr harnessed all that power to provide the students in Somaliland with education opportunities that far exceeded their dreams.
And the experiences that the students shared allowed them to thrive.
When I read books like this, I often put myself in the author's shoes.
Honestly, I cannot do that with this story.
Despite spending my adult life an a literacy educator in elementary schools, the idea of opening a school in a country like Somaliland would never have entered my mind or any foreign country, for that matter.
Then I probably would have called it a day after the first hint of uncertainty.
Jonathan Starr had his share of obstacles and it seemed to energize him.
Jonathan Starr harnessed all that power to provide the students in Somaliland with education opportunities that far exceeded their dreams.
And the experiences that the students shared allowed them to thrive.
November 23, 2023
Tldr- White savior with no experience in education creates a school business model based on over working and under paying his staff. I am glad for the families and students that benefitted, but deeply heart roken for all the people that were chewed up and spit out in order to make this dream come true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2019
I read It Takes a School because I am currently volunteering at Jay Pritzker Academy in Siem Reap, Cambodia. For many Americans, education is a birthright, but for most of the students at JPA and Abaarso, education is an improbable dream. Fadumo went on a hunger strike to convince her parents to let her attend school. Mubarik traveled for days on foot to arrive at Hargeisa. These students go to extraordinary lengths to attain an education because they know that an education is the difference between confinement by childhood marriage and the freedom to pursue their own career; they know that with an education, they can not only lift themselves and their families out of poverty, but also all of Somaliland.
In his book, Jonathan Starr describes the difficulties of building a school in Somaliland - rampant cheating, a broken education system, and most of all, the complex clan relations which threatened Abaarso’s existence. Starr writes in an objective, focused style, and with the economy of a hedge fund manager. He stands by the philosophy,"Tenacity cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is a lesson that a school can promote every day.” Indeed, Abaarso cultivates tenacity. Many of the students, having never received formal schooling before, work tirelessly to overcome the incredible academic demands of Abaarso. In particular, Abaarso’s curriculum is challenging because it stresses creative and critical thinking rather than rote memory. The Abaarso students prove that with a strong work ethic, gratitude, and an insatiable appetite for learning, there is no limit to what one can accomplish. The best go on to some of the most prestigious universities in America - Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc. Starr argues that in Somaliland, there is no lack of talent, but only a lack of opportunity.
In his book, Jonathan Starr describes the difficulties of building a school in Somaliland - rampant cheating, a broken education system, and most of all, the complex clan relations which threatened Abaarso’s existence. Starr writes in an objective, focused style, and with the economy of a hedge fund manager. He stands by the philosophy,"Tenacity cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is a lesson that a school can promote every day.” Indeed, Abaarso cultivates tenacity. Many of the students, having never received formal schooling before, work tirelessly to overcome the incredible academic demands of Abaarso. In particular, Abaarso’s curriculum is challenging because it stresses creative and critical thinking rather than rote memory. The Abaarso students prove that with a strong work ethic, gratitude, and an insatiable appetite for learning, there is no limit to what one can accomplish. The best go on to some of the most prestigious universities in America - Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc. Starr argues that in Somaliland, there is no lack of talent, but only a lack of opportunity.
March 18, 2025
The second star is because undoubtedly he’s helped more kids more than most people. The lack of more stars is because Christ, what a wanker, from his normal middle class New England students paying boarding school tuition of $50k/year to his assertion that Somali villagers distrust his bullshit because “it looked and acted different. It is not that different from when a first black family would move into an all-white town in the United States.” YES I QUOTE.
And don’t forget his assertion that the teachers at his school were dedicated and passionate which is not something normal public school teachers have. This fuck. (Obviously he excludes all the bad teachers he hired, who gave the other teachers the opportunity to show that they would work two jobs!)
The only advantage to his holding back the reveal that his favorite book ever is The Fountainhead was that I could be entirely sure I couldn’t stand him *before* I got to that tidbit.
I really like the section where the nasty local made up a newspaper story about a teacher at his school harassing a student and trying to convert them and then eventually he just casually mentions that it was true BUT they’d already fired him!!!! So mean!!!! And of course after three years they had no Somali speakers involved so he had to get a 15yo student to handle admissions conversations. Bro.
And don’t forget his assertion that the teachers at his school were dedicated and passionate which is not something normal public school teachers have. This fuck. (Obviously he excludes all the bad teachers he hired, who gave the other teachers the opportunity to show that they would work two jobs!)
The only advantage to his holding back the reveal that his favorite book ever is The Fountainhead was that I could be entirely sure I couldn’t stand him *before* I got to that tidbit.
I really like the section where the nasty local made up a newspaper story about a teacher at his school harassing a student and trying to convert them and then eventually he just casually mentions that it was true BUT they’d already fired him!!!! So mean!!!! And of course after three years they had no Somali speakers involved so he had to get a 15yo student to handle admissions conversations. Bro.
September 25, 2018
Terrible book I was forced to read this needlessly wordy and disorganized book for college, even tho it had no barring on any of my classes :/
Just your classic dude doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. Helping less fortunate children is commendable but when it's obviously a vanity project to boost your sky high ego, that takes away from it. The man spent a good first part of the book talking about how he was a gifted child and then a successful wall street banker but not successful and important enough so he decided to make a school in Africa to get high off of his own white savior complex. If he was making the school for the right reasons his successful with the kids would be enough but instead he wrote a book which served no discernible purpose other then an opportunity for him to brag about how great he is and go around giving book tours and signings. Oh, and guilt tripping kids into coming back and working for a country you yourself aren't even from when they graduate? Uncool
If this book was written by someone else or written SOLELY to promote education it would have been good, but it was written by the author to promote himself so its not.
Just your classic dude doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. Helping less fortunate children is commendable but when it's obviously a vanity project to boost your sky high ego, that takes away from it. The man spent a good first part of the book talking about how he was a gifted child and then a successful wall street banker but not successful and important enough so he decided to make a school in Africa to get high off of his own white savior complex. If he was making the school for the right reasons his successful with the kids would be enough but instead he wrote a book which served no discernible purpose other then an opportunity for him to brag about how great he is and go around giving book tours and signings. Oh, and guilt tripping kids into coming back and working for a country you yourself aren't even from when they graduate? Uncool
If this book was written by someone else or written SOLELY to promote education it would have been good, but it was written by the author to promote himself so its not.
August 1, 2017
In 2008, a brash American hedge fund manager decides to make his mark in providing great education to the best students in Somaliland, a autonomous state within Somalia. Despite nearly getting his school closed and himself deported through his ignorance of the culture, he does triumph in the end through his students. who win scholarships in the US at exclusive prep schools and are admitted to Yale, Harvard, MIT, Oberlin and many more prestigious American universities. He hopes that the children of Abaarso School will become the next leaders of this breakaway state, changing their country and their futures by the opportunity he afforded them.
This book is remarkably readable, each chapter set up to be thrilling and propulsive. Jonathan Starr assembled a great team of editors and supporters who help him tell his story and he clearly doesn't spare himself in the telling. If you need hope that one imperfect person can make a difference and you are looking for a quick read, this is your book!
This book is remarkably readable, each chapter set up to be thrilling and propulsive. Jonathan Starr assembled a great team of editors and supporters who help him tell his story and he clearly doesn't spare himself in the telling. If you need hope that one imperfect person can make a difference and you are looking for a quick read, this is your book!
February 26, 2018
This was really like a 3.5 star book to me. The story was 4-5 stars but the writing was more 3 stars. What the author did in creating a massively successful school in Somaliland was incredible. The stories of how the students went beyond any reasonable expectations both while at the school and then beyond was inspiring. It reminds so many of us that we are so fortunate to be born where we were born, to who we worn born, etc. That said, it also reminds us that those who weren't so fortunate can still do amazing things if given the chance. The part of the book I found less interesting was the bad actors who did things to either harm the school or put it in their control. The reality that this did happen was an important part to the story, but the way it was told at times came across a bit stilted. In any case, it was easy enough to skip through those parts or look past them and enjoy the rest. Overall, a worthwhile read. I'll be interested to see where some of these young men and women go from here.
October 25, 2022
It's a great story about a man with connections to Somaliland that has the energy and drive to begin a school in an area without. He faces cultural struggles, distrust of foreigners, clans and theft. He must also find money (he uses $500,00 of his own to start) to build, teach and run the school. Inspirational progress - students end up in many Universities in the U.S. (with scholarships). The school teaches about 50 students in grades 7-12. He now is working on developing a university in that country with the help of former students.
October 1, 2017
With the exception of the first chapter about his family and who was related to whom (with too many names that weren't that important to the story) this was an inspiring story. What a daunting task to start a school to prepare Somaliland kids for college, and to get many of them full-ride scholarships to U.S. Schools, many well known.
March 20, 2018
I didn’t know what to expect but I am always intrigued by mother Africa in any way! This is a beautiful book that shows the dark side of education but also the beauty of it as well when we push through!! The author is a brave and brilliant soul and I hope that his legacy lives on. Definitely worth your time 💚!!!
February 11, 2019
I wanted to like this book but the author's voice was one of a privileged, chip-on-the-shoulder, white savior complex. It was more about him than the kids and their overcoming so much. Two other reviewers articulated it far better than I can so I liked their posts.
July 17, 2024
Just finished reading the amazingly articulated and exraordinarily inspiring ' It Takes a School' by the tenacious @JonathanMStarr, and man what an uplifting story it has been! I almost cried when the author is describing how students reacted to Mubarik's acceptance to Worcester.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2018
this is a wonderful story- inspiring. well worth the time to read.
December 7, 2018
i looked up at my sweet man or texted him a lot while i read this book, asking him if we could move to east africa
January 20, 2021
Inspiring book about fighting for the right of every to a quality education no matter where they’re from.
August 8, 2023
Gave up halfway through. Author is a little pompous. Wasn’t as inspiring as I hoped. Next.
August 14, 2019
Inspiring book about fighting for the right of every to a quality education no matter where they’re from.
May 4, 2023
One of my favorite education books. Starr was a hedge fund owner, who quit in his 30s and moved to Africa to start a school -- not just a public school, but a school that was going to take uneducated poor and make them into national leaders. He was surrounded by people who tried to murder him and block him at every level, but this madman persevered -- he has students in all of the top colleges in the USA now, and it's very likely that one of them will become president of the country he started the school in. He has the right ideas about school -- math class needs logic puzzles to really stimulate the kids; sure, they don't concentrate as much on the math, but was that really the original point? This was both a story about how to do something important and crazy, and a story of insane real world persistence that I aspire to have.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews