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Microschooling with OpenEd
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Microschools are redefining what "going to school" means. With typically 5-15 students in mixed-age groups, meeting in homes or community spaces, they combine the personalization of homeschooling with the community of traditional school.
Most operate 2-3 days weekly, not five. They're facilitator-guided, not teacher-directed. They're designed for precision, not scale.
As education policy analyst Kerry McDonald observes, microschools are "collaboratives of homeschoolers where you can attend part-time or full-time...at a fraction of the cost of a traditional private school," making quality education "much more accessible to more families."
The challenge: Most microschools still require tuition. Families wanting to blend microschool community with home learning days need flexibility traditional structures don't provide.
OpenEd changes this. Through partnerships with innovative public schools, we make it possible to access microschool communities as part of a broader open education approach—attending when it serves your child, learning at home when that works better.
Defining Microschools
Microschools resist simple definition because they're defined more by what they're not than what they are:
Intentionally Small — Typically 5-15 students, though some networks accommodate larger groups. Size matters less than the ability to know each student deeply and adapt to individual needs.
Mixed-Age by Design — An 8-year-old works alongside a 6-year-old and a 10-year-old. Older students mentor younger. Younger students observe and aspire. Everyone learns at their actual level, not their age-assigned grade.
Facilitator-Guided — Adults guide rather than instruct. They prepare environments, ask questions, connect students to resources, and step back. Students direct learning with adult support.
Part-Time as Standard — Most meet 2-3 days weekly, not five. Families blend microschool community days with home learning, creating flexibility traditional school can't offer.
Radically Specific — Each serves a precise niche: nature-based learning, Montessori in small groups, classical education community, project-based entrepreneurship, twice-exceptional learners.
Microschools prove you don't have to choose between personalization and community.
Benefits of Microschools
Microschools deliver outcomes traditional schools struggle to achieve:
True Personalization — With 5-15 students and flexible structures, facilitators adapt daily to where each child actually is, not where age-based standards say they should be.
Mixed-Age Learning — Research consistently shows mixed-age environments benefit everyone. Younger children learn by observing. Older children deepen understanding by teaching. Natural mentorship develops that artificial grade levels prevent.
Real-World Application — Small size enables projects traditional classrooms can't accommodate—entrepreneurial ventures, community service, extended field research, apprenticeships with local experts.
Reduced Social Stress — Many families report children thrive socially in microschools after struggling in larger environments. Small groups make every child visible and valued.
Family Flexibility — Part-time schedules let families maintain control over education while accessing community and structure when it serves them.
Educational Curation — Microschool becomes one tool in your toolkit. Use it for collaboration and community while maintaining home days for self-paced academics, passion projects, or family travel.
How to Join a Microschool
Finding Local Microschools
Microschools often operate semi-privately, shared through word-of-mouth. Search strategies:
- "[Your City] microschool" or "learning pod"
- Local homeschool Facebook groups and associations
- Homeschool co-ops with microschool-style programs
- Parent-run learning communities
- Regional educational freedom networks
- OpenEd advisors who know your area
Evaluating Fit
When you find options, consider:
- Educational philosophy — Does their approach align with your values?
- Schedule flexibility — Can you attend part-time or is full-time required?
- Facilitator experience — What's their background and training?
- Student mix — Will your child thrive in this age range and group dynamic?
- Physical environment — Is the space conducive to learning?
- Cost and commitment — What's required financially and time-wise?
Making It Work with OpenEd
Through OpenEd, access part-time microschool programs as part of your broader educational approach. Attend 2-3 days weekly while maintaining flexibility for home learning, online courses, or other approaches.
Microschool becomes one component of your open education plan, not the entirety. You get small-group, mixed-age community benefits without sacrificing flexibility.
How to Start a Microschool
The Founder Profile
Most microschool founders tried reform first—years on committees, advocating for change within traditional systems. They're not entrepreneurs seeking opportunity; they're exhausted educators and parents who couldn't wait anymore.
Support Networks
Starting a microschool has become increasingly accessible:
- Prenda — Provides full curriculum, training, and support; no education degree needed
- National Microschooling Center — Resources, networking, and community connection
- KaiPod Catalyst — Two-year post-launch support for new microschools
- State-specific incubators — Several states now support new microschool development
Minimum Viable Microschool
You need less than you think:
- 8-12 families committed to the vision
- $40,000 annual budget (varies by location and model)
- Part-time schedule (2-3 days weekly) reducing costs
- Shared space (church, community center, home) not permanent facility
The Psychological Hurdle
Starting a microschool requires letting go of what school "should" look like to discover what it could be. This isn't easy—especially for those who succeeded in traditional education—but it's the inflection point every founder faces.
Online Microschools
The microschool concept is adapting to virtual environments, creating hybrid models blending online learning with in-person connection.
KaiPod Learning — Small groups gather in professional spaces with experienced Learning Coaches. Students use online curriculum of choice for core academics while receiving in-person support, enrichment, and peer collaboration. Combines digital tools with human connection.
Prisma — Project-based online microschool for middle schoolers. Small cohorts work on interdisciplinary projects with facilitator guidance. Fully virtual but maintains intimate community feel.
Hybrid Models — Many families create custom blends:
- Online curriculum for self-paced academics
- In-person microschool for collaboration and projects
- Virtual tutoring for specialized subjects
- Physical community for social connection
This isn't educational chaos—it's educational curation. Choosing the best tool for each purpose rather than forcing one model to serve all needs.
Microschool Curriculum Ideas
The part-time nature of most microschools means families curate complete curriculum. Through OpenEd, access resources that complement microschool participation:
Self-Paced Academics
- Math: Beast Academy (story-based), Khan Academy (free adaptive), IXL (skill practice)
- Reading/Writing: Outschool live classes, local tutors, online writing workshops
- Languages: Private language tutors, Duolingo, Rosetta Stone
Hands-On Enrichment
- STEM: KiwiCo subscription boxes, science co-ops, maker spaces
- Arts: Local instructors, online art classes, community programs
- Physical Education: Sports leagues, martial arts, dance, outdoor recreation
Project-Based Learning
Many microschools center on projects and real-world application. Families supplement with specialized knowledge as projects require—learning coding to build apps, studying ecology for conservation projects, mastering marketing to launch ventures.
The microschool provides community and collaboration. Home days provide focused time for skill-building and passion pursuits.
Microschools Near You
Major Microschool Networks
Prenda — Tech-enabled network across multiple states. Guides (often parents) lead small groups using Prenda's learning platform. Accessible model designed for widespread replication.
KaiPod Learning — Operating in multiple regions with growing network. Hybrid model combining online curriculum with in-person coaches in professional spaces.
Acton Academy — Learner-driven network with locations nationwide. Students set goals with guides, choose curricula, take responsibility for learning. Morning core skills, afternoon passion projects.
Wildflower Schools — Montessori-inspired teacher-led microschools with sliding-scale tuition. Decentralized network supporting teachers in creating accessible environments.
Regional and Independent Options
Beyond networks, many independent microschools serve local communities. They operate in:
- Church spaces during weekdays
- Community centers
- Homes with prepared environments
- Shared commercial spaces
- Outdoor learning sites
Finding Your Area
Start with local homeschool associations, educational freedom groups, and parent networks. Many excellent microschools don't advertise publicly but welcome families who find them through community connections.
OpenEd advisors know local options and can connect you with microschools compatible with our program.
Experience Small-Group Learning
Microschools prove you don't have to choose between personalization and community, between small-group learning and individual flexibility, between structured programs and family freedom.
Through OpenEd, access microschool communities as part of a broader open education approach. Attend when small-group, mixed-age learning serves your child. Learn at home when individual pacing works better. Blend approaches as needs evolve.
Whether you want regular microschool community 2-3 days weekly, or you want to mix microschool with home learning, virtual courses, and other approaches, OpenEd makes it possible.
Ready to explore microschool options?
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OpenEd partners with innovative public schools to make personalized education accessible. Part-time microschool programs are accessible as part of a broader open education approach. Learn more about how open education works | Explore other educational approaches you can blend through OpenEd.