Microschools

Nimble learning environments to kickstart innovation.

We’ve been talking about microschools through the blog and in our town halls over the past few years and recently announced A Big Push for Small Schools, the first grant opportunity from our Learning Innovation Fund. This cohort of grantees is dedicated to driving real change in their community and in the lives of learners through small school models. 

As part of our initiative, we convened a group of dynamic microschool leaders and learning providers as a Community of Practice (CoP). The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the participants fostered a solid foundation for collective learning. Through the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and innovative approaches, this dynamic group has contributed to further defining the microschool landscape. Our first CoP focused on the emerging category of microschool incubators. To get involved in an upcoming CoP, reach out to Victoria.

What is a Microschool?

New learning models, tools, and strategies have made it easier to open small schools of 15 to 150 students. Microschools may be full or part-time learning experiences for P-12 students. They can be useful as a short-term pilot or demonstration or long-term learning options.

Given their small size, microschools can be opened quickly in alternative spaces. Microschools quickly create new community-connected learning options (themes, careers, and experiences) for students. They can also be used to quickly address underserved student populations (preschool, dropout recovery, and career education).

Theory of Change

For microschools to be a high quality, equitable and sustainable option for all children, schools need technical support, communities of practice, and financial support. The key to scaling and sustainability is informal and formal microschool networks.

Latest Blogs

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Resources

Designing Microschools: Why Launching Small Learning Environments Is a Big Idea

This resource from Getting Smart provides examples of microschools and addresses why you’d want to start a microschool, how to start a microschool and how to know if it is working.

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American Microschool Analysis

America’s fast-growing microschooling movement has been described as one of the most exciting education narratives of this generation. This sector analysis from the our partners the National Microschooling Center illuminates important aspects of this dynamic community, including who is leading microschools, their backgrounds, and just how diverse the sector has become in many different important aspects of their work, including main motivating goals, educational approaches, intended outcomes, weekly schedules and funding sources.

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Open for Business: The Economics of Everyday Entrepreneurs in Unconventional Education

VELA provides unique insights into the rapidly growing market of unconventional education. To gain a better understanding of the business practices and models used in this nascent landscape, VELA conducted a survey of its community in the fall of 2022. The findings are valuable for entrepreneurs, learners, families, funders, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of education.

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Podcasts

Microschools Town Hall

On a 2021 Getting Smart Town Hall, we took a look at some of the most exciting microschools in the country and highlighted why it’s a dynamic learning model for personalization, community-responsiveness and rapid innovation.