‘Microschools’ growing as option as more families seek school choice
In the fast-changing landscape of education, where school choice is increasingly valued by families across the political spectrum, a new model is growing in popularity: the micro-school.
Typically, microschools serve a small group of students, ranging from five to around 20 per school. These schools emphasize personalized learning experiences and often operate with a unique curriculum that caters to students' individual needs and interests. Microschools may have less rigid structures than traditional schools and can be run by a single teacher or a small team.
In microschools, children are called "learners" and teachers are called "guides." Educators and parents agree that children — especially those who are marginalized — benefit from the small class sizes and tailored learning experiences offered by microschools.
"Nothing meaningful in education happens in a vacuum," said Don Soifer, CEO of the National Microschooling Center based in Las Vegas.
Ashleigh Pollard of the Hill District enrolled her daughter in The Maker's Clubhouse Early Learning Center last November, a preschool affiliated with their Bible Center Church in Homewood. Pollard and her husband chose the school to support their community and instill values in Bella, 5, from an early age.
"It was very important to us that she be around individuals who would care for her in an early learning environment the same way we would," Pollard said. "Bella has grown."
The small classroom size allowed for tailored teaching. Bella thrived as a leader, with her voice heard and her understanding of different subjects deepened. Pollard felt highly involved in her child's learning plan and appreciated the clear communication about Bella's daily activities.
Because microschooling is individualized, personalized, flexible and responsive, Soifer said that microschools can look very different from one another.
Some might start the day with Socratic discussions, considering whether it is better to say "please" or "thank you." Their lessons may include culturally competent aspects, like discussions around the Muslim holiday of Eid, learning mathematics through Kente cloth to understand patterns and geometry, and reading multicultural stories.
Soifer, who oversees microschools in 44 states, noted that they perform well in communities of color. Their popularity grew during the pandemic, as families re-evaluated their relationships with traditional institutions, he said.
"It is really about families wanting the best way to prepare their kids for the future. We do very well even when it is tuition-based," Soifer said. "Microschooling founders reflect the populations in their communities, unlike larger school districts that have a real shortage of Black teachers, administrators and educators."
Soifer said that microschools can serve the needs of their communities, offering culturally relevant education. For families and educators of color, this can be a valuable solution.
"When we think about communities like Homewood, sometimes the schools in these neighborhoods aren't meeting the needs of the children," said Pastor Cynthia Wallace of Maker's Clubhouse Early Learning Center. "Having high-quality early childhood programs is critical so that when children enter traditional classrooms, they are not seen as behind."
The Maker's Clubhouse prepares students for traditional school while incorporating aspects of a microschool. Wallace said that while she doesn't consider Maker's Clubhouse a microschool, much of their processes align with the national principles of microschooling.
"I talk about academic self-esteem, where children see themselves as learners, ask questions and are confident in their abilities," Wallace said.
The preschool program benefits from the involvement of three retired educators, including two former Montessori teachers. Wallace, a former Montessori principal and kindergarten teacher, values an individualized approach.
She is considering incorporating the "Parenting While Black" program developed by James Huguley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, and others. The program aims to teach parents about active involvement in their child's education and advocacy for early intervention services.
"Overall educational quality is also a concern for families of color, particularly in under-resourced school settings," Huguley said.
Huguley noted that the downside to homeschooling and possibly microschooling is that it does require a level of educational practice skill that the average parent may not have. He also mentions the loss of social networks that come with traditional schooling experiences.
"Many students of color have toxic social experiences in their traditional schools, so the social component is perhaps a tradeoff," he said.
Microschools can also consist of groups of homeschooled students learning together. For Emani McWilliams of the Hill District, that has provided peace of mind when it comes to her daughter, Honesty, 5, who is homeschooled and in kindergarten.
"It is safe. I don't have to worry about tragedies like school lockdowns or gun violence," McWilliams said.
She also homeschooled her older children and noted that they struggled with the transition from public to homeschooling.
McWilliams tries to compensate for the lack of socialization that might come with online learning through family outings, playdates and church activities. In the future, McWilliams does plan to join a few in-person meetups with Honesty's classmates.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, around 2,100 students in Allegheny County were homeschooled in the 2022 to 2023 school year. The Department of Education found that the number of home-educated and privately tutored students in Pennsylvania saw a significant increase during the 2020-21 school year, during the height of the covid-19 pandemic. The number of home-educated and privately tutored students remains higher today than pre-pandemic years. But 97.6% of students attended their public school district in 2022-23.
The Department of Education does not have specific data for microschools, only some of which are accredited.
Ronnie and Meghan Esposito began microschooling in Mars, Pa., after observing that traditional classroom settings were not meeting their children's needs.
"I never understood how putting 25 to 30 kids in one room and teaching them the same thing at the same time could be effective," Ronnie Esposito said.
After researching microschooling, they went on to open Acton Academy Pittsburgh, one of the 300 in the national and international network of "learner-driven schools." Located in northern suburb of Pine, the school serves kindergarten to eighth grade. They plan to launch high school grade levels next year. It's the first Acton school in Western Pennsylvania.
"It's been a massive blessing. We find that kids learning at their own pace keeps them very interested," Ronnie Esposito said.
Acton Academy emphasizes mastery and a love for learning. They operate from a 15,000-square-foot space, which they limit to 150 students.
They began with just their oldest daughter and three other learners in their living room.
"We look for families moving toward something rather than running from something. We want kids to love the learning process," Ronnie Esposito said. They collect quarterly feedback from parents to improve their program.
The downside to some microschool models is the significant capital required to operate, with an annual budget of $1 million, which may limit accessibility for some families. The Espositos address this challenge through fundraising.
The empirical data on microschools is still being developed, as most of the students are younger and approach high school age, according to Soifer of the National Microschooling Center. Core principles of microschooling include supporting every child's thriving through diverse learning models, honoring families as active partners in their child's learning, and fostering a love for learning.
Soifer also mentioned a microschool in North Carolina, Kingdom Kids Empowerment Academy, based out of Barber-Scotia College, a private HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities).
"HBCUs and microschools are a newer direction but follow a broader tradition. They aim to ensure student success," Soifer said. "Microschools are a response to community realities and educational needs, creating more relevant and effective learning environments."
