During the pandemic, parents and teachers alike grew dissatisfied with the state of education in their schools. Covid’s toll on students due to remote learning and school closures led some to look for other options, one of which is microschools.
Microschools are small, innovative learning environments commonly formed in “permissionless ways outside of education systems,” an April report by the National Microschooling Center reads. They’re often held in commercial or nonprofit spaces, people’s homes, and places of worship, among others. As a result of the pandemic, many proponents found them to have “transformative potential” as they can be tailored around the needs of their students.
It’s estimated that there are currently 1.1 to 2.1 million learners relying on microschooling as their primary provider of schooling, according to the research.
“Our particular area of focus is making sure each child reaches their full potential,” said one microschool founder featured in the report. “We pride ourselves on tailor-made programs which are designed to help each child succeed.”
The report is an analysis of 100 current microschools around the country and 100 additional prospective microschool leaders looking to open one. The findings indicate that among those that are currently up and running, the majority of them (70.2%) are led by currently or formerly licensed educators, leaving more than 30% of them being led by those without a license.
As far as their business structures go, tuition-based schooling is their primary source of revenue for nearly 90% of microschools, the report notes. For 18% of schools, they’re given state-provided school choice funds.
Learning looks different, too. Nearly 50% of schools surveyed report emphasizing specialized learning philosophies, including Montessori, Waldorf or child-centered learning. Faith-based instruction is provided in nearly one-fourth of schools.
“The most common ways microschools measure and demonstrate their impact is through offering norm-referenced assessments, although at 47, this remains relatively low compared to other schools of choice sectors,” the report reads. “In many cases, these assessments are offered only if parents elect to have their children take them; they are not mandatory.”
Microschools hold promising qualities for students and parents looking for more individualized education. But what about their leaders? What motivates former teachers to enter the sector?
The report outlines six driving factors among prospective microschool leaders:
- 53% aim to provide opportunities to systematically underserved individuals.
- 47% want to enable children to thrive as they previously lacked the opportunity.
- 33% desire income from entrepreneurial success.
- 28% value specialized learning philosophies.
- 28% seek to provide non-governmental solutions to societal challenges.
- 22% want education more relevant to the futures of their learners.
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