What is a microschool?

A microschool is a small, independent educational setting that typically serves a limited number of students, often 15 or less per class. Microschools prioritize personalized, flexible learning experiences and often blend traditional academics with hands-on, real-world activities.

Key characteristics of microschools include:

• Small Class Sizes: Allowing for individualized attention and meaningful connections between guides and learners. More opportunities for learning are available to happen with a smaller class size.

• Customized Learning: Tailored curricula to meet the unique needs, interests, and learning styles of each student. The teacher and parents work as partners to design their child's education to best fit them.

• Community-Oriented: Often located in homes, community spaces, or other non-traditional settings, microschools foster a close-knit and supportive environment.

• Real-Life Application: Emphasis on experiential learning, such as problem-based activities, outdoor exploration, and skill-building that connects to everyday life.

• Flexibility: Freedom to adapt learning methods and schedules to what works best for the learners and families involved. Hours are limited compared to traditional schooling and families have the ability to have online-learning days to fit their unique schedules. In short, a microschool allows families to fit school into their life schedules, rather than fitting life into their school schedules.

• Shift of Responsibility: The parent and, most importantly, the child are primarily responsible for the child's learning, understanding that the guide is there to provide support and opportunities for learning to happen. This responsibility on the child for their own learning is crucial to their success in school and beyond. Read The Self Driven Child to learn more about the science behind this.

• Multi-Aged Classroom: Students of different ages are grouped together with a focus on learning levels rather than age. Click here to read a study explaining the many social and psychological benefits of multi-aged elementary classrooms.

In summary, microschools are designed to offer a more intimate, learner-centered alternative to traditional education, giving children the opportunity to learn at their own pace while encouraging creativity, independence, and critical thinking.