The History of Network School: From v1 Popup to Year-Round Campus

Network School grew out of the ideas Balaji Srinivasan laid out in his 2022 book, The Network State. After publishing the book, Balaji began exploring ways to turn the theoretical framework into something tangible. The concept of a live-in community where people could learn, stay fit, and build together emerged as a practical first experiment. Rather than attempting to create a full nation-state, the focus shifted to building a school and community that could demonstrate the viability of voluntary, values-aligned physical communities organized through digital coordination.

The earliest version of Network School operated as a popup event, bringing together a small group of participants for a limited-duration program. This initial cohort tested the core assumptions: Would people from different countries pay to live and learn together? Could the Learn, Burn, Earn framework sustain daily engagement? Would Forest City's infrastructure support a community of this kind? The popup format allowed rapid iteration on programming, meal service, fitness routines, and community norms without the commitment of a permanent operation. Feedback from early participants shaped many of the systems that are now standard.

Based on the success of early cohorts, Network School transitioned to a year-round operation with monthly intake. The community grew from dozens of participants to over 400 members representing more than 70 nationalities. Infrastructure expanded to include a dedicated coworking cafe, gym facilities, sauna and cold plunge setups, and a consistent meal program following Bryan Johnson's Blueprint nutrition protocol. The monthly cohort model, where new members start on the first of each month, became the standard operating rhythm.

Network School now operates continuously in Forest City, Malaysia. It offers two membership tiers, structured courses in AI and crypto, daily fitness programming, and a fellowship program providing up to $100,000 in funding. The community continues to evolve as new members arrive each month and programming expands. Forest City itself remains a largely vacant development, which gives NS an unusual setting: modern infrastructure with very few outside residents. If the program interests you, you can apply at ns.com to join an upcoming cohort.