Our Story

The Private Eye has been used extensively by thousands of teachers and their students. Teachers and parents report that students using The Private Eye are highly motivated to learn, that they write, draw and theorize above previous levels in all subjects—that it changes forever the way they see the world.  See Testimonials.

The brainchild of Kerry Ruef, The Private Eye began in 1989 and was first piloted in the Seattle Public Schools (grant-funded by the Discuren Charitable Foundation for the first three and one half years).  Since then, The Private Eye has spread to thousands of teachers (kindergarten through college) and over three million students throughout the US and Canada. It's also used in PreK setting and adult professional settings, so really, it's for everybody!