MSON brings together exceptional brick and mortar independent schools from across the United States, along with the Stanford Online High School, all of which serve academically motivated students. Member schools enroll their students in MSON courses taught by exceptional faculty at member schools. MSON is based on trust and close relationships among member schools, which all feature talented students and faculty and ensure the high quality of the program.

All MSON member schools have received endowment gifts from the Malone Family Foundation, which allows them to fund Malone Scholars in their communities. MSON furthers the mission of each school because its small classes emphasize thought-provoking curricula, peer interaction, academic challenge, and the student-teacher relationship.