Deciding the best educational option for your children is more complicated than ever given the numerous choices available, from large public and private schools to homeschooling, and everything in between. But one type of school is becoming more popular today, although it is reminiscent of the one-room schoolhouses of yesterday. Microschools began sprouting up a few years before the pandemic, but they have been surging ever since.
What is a Microschool?
A microschool is a small group of students meeting in an informal space and taking more ownership of their education, says Kelly Smith, founder of Prenda, one of the nation’s largest microschool providers. Microschools typically serve no more than 15 students but can be larger. Smith recommends a student-to-teacher ratio of eight to 10 students per adult.
These small schools operate in a variety of untraditional settings, such as homes, libraries, houses of worship, community centers, rented commercial spaces, public outdoor spaces and even backyards. There are in-person, virtual and hybrid options available. The schedules can be flexible, allowing families and educators to design a balanced week, such as every other day in-person or half-days to allow for engagement of activities outside the classroom.
“Microschools can come in many flavors, including Montessori, Forest, Waldorf, Prenda, Acton, etc.,” says Smith. “Think of these philosophies as the guiding principles behind the microschool structure and choose the approach that works best for you. While a Montessori school could be a microschool, it doesn’t have to be, so make sure to check the numbers before you enroll.” They can also look like anything from homeschooling collaboratives meeting at a local library a few days per month to learning pods in private homes to small, full-time private schools that prioritize individualized learning.
Why Microschools Are Booming
It is estimated that 1.5 million K-12 students (about 3% of all school-age children) attend 95,000 microschools throughout the country, according to the National Microschooling Center. Much of this growth is due to expanding microschool networks like Prenda, Kaipod, Acton Academies and Wildflower. As more parents crave personalized attention for their children; more control and flexibility over the curriculum and a safe, welcoming environment rooted in community-driven grass-roots philosophy, microschools have become more popular.
“We are seeing an uptick in interest, and I think families and students are really looking for more personalized education,” says Robyn Chapel, head of AEON School in Silicon Valley, located in Santa Clara, California. “We see families who are looking for their child … to be really intellectually stimulated … and for their children to be seen and understood in a more holistic way.” AEON currently has 12 students enrolled in person and 240 students in 46 countries who are part of their global online community.
Benefits of Microschools
Parents choose microschools for a variety of reasons. Some want to see the love of learning rekindled in their child, while others find a microschool that meets a specific need not being met by traditional schools. “The small group format can provide high connection, autonomy and personalization, which leads to kids who love school and make significant learning gains,” says Smith.
Here are some of the key benefits of microschools:
- Flexibility
Microschools provide flexibility in scheduling, curriculum choices and learning approaches. They focus on student autonomy and independence, which may mean students aren’t confined to traditional desks and can move around the classroom more freely. When it comes to scheduling, families often work together to decide what times and days of the week the microschool meets. At AEON, for example, the program is rooted in an online, project-based curriculum with a physical campus for students to work alongside and collaborate with one another, so students have a tremendous amount of flexibility, says Chapel. “We have students travel for days or weeks at a time for competitions, family events or unique academic opportunities and they don’t have to worry about missing class.”
- Personalization
The small environment allows educators to get to know their students and tailor the learning experience to each child, creating customized lesson plans and assignments that challenge them appropriately. This approach allows each student to learn at their own pace and can accommodate those with special needs or specific interests. “Students have about half of their time each day to arrange as they need in order to work on their assignments, meet individually or in small groups with teachers or peers, get feedback on their work or take a brain break or a movement break,” explains Chapel.
- Shared Responsibility
Microschools typically give parents the opportunity to have a strong voice in what and how their children learn and play, yet the bulk of the instruction is done by the educators. It is a collaborative relationship, as parents have a supportive role in continuing and deepening learning at home.
- Connection
Given the small size, microschools allow for a more intimate environment, which helps build a strong sense of community for both students and parents.
- Creativity and Innovation
Microschools tend to innovate rapidly, allowing teachers to try new tools and teaching methods to meet the needs of their student body. Integrating cutting-edge technology is also common at microschools. AEON uses a project-based curriculum that engages students in week-long challenges that are interdisciplinary in nature. “It’s a really different approach that puts students at the true center of their learning every day. This builds real- life skills of project management, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, autonomy and resilience,” says Chapel.
Considerations
While microschools offer many attractive benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider when evaluating if a microschool is right for your family.
Fit
First, is the microschool format a good fit for your child? Chapel recommends getting your child involved in the school search process to really figure out what they need. “Students should be given opportunities to think about how they learn best and what kinds of learning environments productively challenge them and provide them with appropriate support and structures for their learning needs,” she says. “If your child is thriving in their current school environment, that’s a wonderful thing. If they are feeling underwhelmed, unfulfilled, or unsatisfied … it might be worth a look around to see if one of those schools might be a better option for your child.”
Accreditation
One of the biggest concerns about microschools is their lack of accreditation. In a survey of 400 microschools across the country from the National Microschooling Center, only 16% said they were accredited in their state. This lack of oversight can turn off some parents, since the curriculum may not be backed by reputable educational entities, and classes may be taught by uncertified teachers. This could be a problem in the long run if students aren’t meeting the necessary outcomes and standards to prepare them for college and career success.
Legal form
Another issue that often comes up is how microschools are legally defined. They can take on a variety of legal forms depending on where you live, so it’s important to investigate this before registering. Around a third operate as private schools, while 44% operate as “learning centers” catering to homeschooled students. Keep in mind that if you unenroll your child from their existing traditional public school, charter school, magnet school or private school to switch to a microschool that is legally considered a homeschool, then you are legally responsible for determining curriculum, lesson plans and methods of instruction.
Cost
Finally, be sure to ask about the cost of the microschool you are considering. Some can be completely free to create and design, while others might charge a fee ranging from hundreds of dollars each month to typical private school rates of tens of thousands of dollars per year.
How to Find or Start One
While many microschools are independently run, there are also microschool networks with learning groups across multiple states, including Prenda, Acton Academy, Wildflower Montessori Schools, KaiPod Learning, Great Hearts, and The Forest School – Online. Some even provide opportunities to launch a new microschool if there is not one in your area.
Navigating School Choice has a directory of microschools, searchable by state: https://myschoolchoice.com/types-of-schools/micro-schools.
Sandi Schwartz is an award-winning author and journalist, and mother of two. She has 25 years of experience writing about parenting, wellness and environmental issues. Her books Finding Ecohappiness and Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness inspire families to build a nature habit to feel happier and calmer. Learn more at ecohappinessproject.com.
Like the idea of a microschool? Here are some local options.
Washington, DC
- Blue Montessori: For ages 3-6. 202-618-1947.
- Mindbloom Preschool & Microschool:: For ages 2-12. 202-380-9636.
- Mysa School: For grades K-8. 301-915-0955.
- Templeton Academy: For grades 6-12. 202-847-0779.
Maryland
- Oneness Family High School: For grades 9-12. Kensington, Md. 240-383-7655.
- Oneness Family Lower School: From age 2-Grade 8. Chevy Chase, Md. 301-652-7751.
- Rock Creek Montessori: For ages 18 months-6 years. Silver Spring, Md. 301-942-9561.
Virginia
- Cortona Academy: For grades 8-12+. Reston, Va. 703-464-0034.
- GW Community School: For grades 8-12. Springfield, Va. 703-978-7208.
- River Farm Forest School: For grades K-8. Alexandria, Va. 571-275-1561.
- The Sycamore School: For grades 8-12. Arlington, Va. 703-717-5360.
Multiple Locations
- Fusion Academy: For grades 6-12. Locations in Washington, DC, Rockville, Md., Alexandria, Va., Loudon, Va., Reston, Va. and Tysons, Va. See campuses webpage for individual contact information.
– By Washington Parent Staff
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Sandi Schwartz is an award-winning author, freelance journalist and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness and environmental issues. As the founder and director of the Ecohappiness Project, her mission is to inspire and educate families to build a nature habit to feel happier and calmer. She is the author of the book Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer, and the children’s book, Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness.
Sandi Schwartz is an award-winning author, freelance journalist and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness and environmental issues. As the founder and director of the Ecohappiness Project, her mission is to inspire and educate families to build a nature habit to feel happier and calmer. She is the author of the book Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer, and the children’s book, Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness.
