Keller Williams and Kaplan Partner on Groundbreaking Real Estate School

Rhea-AI Summary

Keller Williams has partnered with Kaplan to launch the KW School of Real Estate (KSCORE), a fully-digital training program set to begin operations in early 2022. Aimed at increasing diversity in the industry, KSCORE will provide diverse educational formats and state-approved prelicensing courses for aspiring real estate agents. The initiative targets the underrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, and Asian agents compared to their demographics in the general population. The program is expected to add over 15,000 new agents annually.

Positive

• Launch of KW School of Real Estate (KSCORE) with Kaplan.
• Focus on increasing diversity in the real estate agent population.
• Expected addition of over 15,000 new agents annually.

Negative

• None.

KW School of Real Estate to be fully operational in early 2022 and bring sharp focus to diversity goals

AUSTIN, Texas & FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keller Williams (“KW”), the world’s largest real estate technology franchise by agent count, has partnered with Kaplan, one of the world’s most diversified global education organizations, to create the KW School of Real Estate (KSCORE), a national, first-of-its-kind, fully-digital real estate training program.

“We’re very excited to be partnered with Kaplan Real Estate Education, renowned for its training and educational services expertise, as we launch our KW School of Real Estate,” said Marc King, president, KW. “The synergy of KW and Kaplan, two world-class brands in training and education, will transform how our industry provides education for today’s aspiring real estate agents.”

Through the partnership, KSCORE will offer a state-approved prelicensing curriculum, via Kaplan Real Estate Education, for aspiring real estate agents and continued real estate education credits for existing agents¹.

Kaplan Real Estate Education’s platform offers distinct education-delivery formats, including home study, online, and live online courses, along with flexible schedules and a wide selection of state-approved courses and packages.

A trailblazing real estate school offering, KSCORE will also offer business and professional development strategies. Students will have access to tools, tips, and personalized coaching built on KW’s award-winning training and coaching programs.

Through the state-approved licensing provided by Kaplan Real Estate Education and ongoing training of new real estate agents via KSCORE, KW aims to bring the industry’s real estate agent population more in line with the demographic breakdown of the U.S. population.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and Data USA, 6% of all real estate agents and brokers are Black, compared to 12% of the U.S. population that identified as Black; 8% of agents and brokers are Hispanic, compared to 12% of the U.S. population; and 4% are Asian, compared to 6% of the population.

“Through financial assistance opportunities offered via our market centers, we’re seeking to balance the racial makeup of our industry with that of the general population,” said King. “We see this deliberate effort as crucial to closing the homeownership gap for historically marginalized communities in our country.”

“This innovative and comprehensive real estate education and training program positions Keller Williams at the front door of the industry,” said Toby Schifsky, executive director, Kaplan Real Estate Education. “Kaplan's enterprise licensing solution helps Keller Williams eliminate several significant friction points in their new agent onboarding process. The commitment from Keller Williams to their new agents is significant, and we look forward to providing positive student outcomes for each of them.”

Molly de Mattos, tapped as “dean” of KSCORE, has been an active real estate agent since 2005. De Mattos continues to serve as an instructor for Keller Williams University, a coach for KW MAPS Coaching, the coaching division of KW, and as a co-owner of The Matt & Molly Team, an Asheville, North Carolina-based real estate team.

“Beginning in 2022, we expect to add more than 15,000 new agents annually to Keller Williams and our industry with this program,” said de Mattos. “Through this critical endeavor, we will make entry into real estate more accessible than ever before.”

“KSCORE represents our most forward-looking and aggressive step we’re taking as a brand to match our actions to the strong commitment we’ve made to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals,” said de Mattos.

Currently more than 250 KW market centers are actively part of the phase-one rollout of KSCORE.

The brand expects that number to increase to more than 500 market centers by early 2022 when the school is expected to be operational in 24 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota; Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York; North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin².

KW and Kaplan Real Estate Education have plans to further scale rapidly nationwide.

Kaplan Real Estate Education is the country’s premier full-service educator providing real estate licensing, exam prep, and continuing education courses. Kaplan Real Estate Education’s licensing and exam-prep courses are the most up-to-date and accurate courses available and directly reflect what candidates will experience on state licensing exams.

Kaplan Real Estate Education instructors are industry professionals that not only guide candidates through the course content but help build a foundation for a successful career in real estate. Kaplan Real Estate Education’s market-sensitive continuing education programs keep real estate professionals at the front of the industry throughout their careers.

About Keller Williams

Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate technology franchise by agent count, has more than 1,080 offices and 195,000 associates. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States. kwx is the holding company of Keller Williams.

In 2020, Keller Williams initially began the formation of kwx, composed of Keller Williams, Keller Williams Worldwide, Keller Offers, Keller Manage, and Keller Home Financial Services, consisting of Keller Mortgage and Keller Covered.

Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit kwx.kw.com.

About Kaplan

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Kaplan provides individuals, universities, and businesses a broad array of educational services, including higher and professional education, test preparation, language training, corporate and leadership training, and student recruitment, online enablement, and other university support services.

With operations in nearly 30 countries, Kaplan serves nearly 1.1 million students each year and has partnerships with 2,000-plus universities, colleges, and schools/school districts, and more than 4,000 businesses globally. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC).

For more information, please visit kaplan.com.

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1 KSCORE, Keller Williams School of Real Estate, KW School of Real Estate, and Keller Williams Realty, Inc., are not approved by any state regulatory agency to satisfy the required licensing or continuing education requirements for real estate agents or brokers. They are not recognized educational institutions for higher education or degree-granting institutions. This is a program designed to help individuals become better real estate agents. Prelicensing education and continuing education will be offered by a state-approved education provider, such as Kaplan Real Estate Education, where applicable. This program, as described herein, does not apply in Minnesota and New York.

2 Kaplan Real Estate Education is an approved provider of prelicensing courses in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211102005864/en/

Darryl G. Frost

Director of Public Relations and Media Relations

darryl.frost@kw.com / 254-466-3627

Greg Ten Eyck

Director of Communications

gregory.teneyck@kaplan.edu / 954-515-3026

Source: Keller Williams and Kaplan

FAQ

What is the KW School of Real Estate (KSCORE)?

The KW School of Real Estate (KSCORE) is a fully-digital training program launched by Keller Williams in partnership with Kaplan, aimed at educating aspiring real estate agents.

When will KSCORE become operational?

The KW School of Real Estate is expected to be fully operational in early 2022.

How many new agents does Keller Williams expect to add annually through KSCORE?

Keller Williams anticipates adding more than 15,000 new agents annually through the KW School of Real Estate.

What is the goal of the KW School of Real Estate regarding diversity?

The goal is to align the demographic makeup of the real estate agent population with that of the U.S. population, improving representation of historically marginalized communities.

What types of courses will KSCORE offer?

KSCORE will offer state-approved prelicensing curriculum and continuing education credits for existing agents, available in various formats including online and live courses.