I was paid a wee bit to write this article but just like with all things from The WOLFe Pack, what you will find here is an honest opinion from a seasoned homeschool mom with a Master’s Degree in Education and a decade of experience in the classroom…who also happens to be a mom with way too little spare time, way too much in her Amazon cart and only 7 months left on her homeschool clock.
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Perhaps you have recently heard the term “microschool” and wondered what it is.
If so, you are not alone.
Not even Grammarly seems to know it’s a thing because it keeps underlining the word microschool every time I type it. 🙂
Maybe I should make it “micro-school” instead?
No, that still got the dreaded red underline.
Maybe it’s micro school without the hyphen?
Okay, that worked, but of course both “micro” and “school” are going to work on their own. Sorry, Grammarly, I am not sure I can trust you on this subject.
In any case, whether it’s microschool, micro-school or micro school…let’s take a look at what it is and see if it is something of interest to you.
What is a microschool?
Unfortunately, this is not a simple question with a clear answer.
Just like with homeschool co-ops, you are not going to find one set definition for the word microschool (or micro-school or even micro school.) If you Google it, like I did, you will find a dozen different online articles that try to answer the question, “what is a microschool?”
But, the answers vary and include everything from:
- learning pod to one-room schoolhouse
- co-op to learning studio
- outsourced homeschool to flipped classroom
- constructivism to blended learning
You might also find a microschool being characterized as:
- a bridge between homeschooling and public schooling
- a reaction to the outrageous prices of private schools
- the reimagining of what schools should be
- similar to pandemic learning pods
And, the more you read, the more variances you will discover.
A microschool might:
- meet one, two, three or four days per week
- be taught by paid professional teachers or volunteer tutors
- be held in churches, business buildings, homes or even local libraries
- be free or cost money
- receive public funds or be based solely on tuition
- require specific attendance or have an open-door, flexible policy
- use a set curriculum or allow parents to provide individual choices
- provide grades or be totally non-grade based
- include kids of all ages or only allow kids of certain ages
- have admission requirements or allow everybody to participate
The bottom line is, microschools differ nearly as much as individual public school classrooms or private school institutions across the nation and there is not one clear way to define them.
But, I do think there are specific ways we can fairly and accurately describe microschools and the possible ways in which they can help families.
Microschools can be:
- the perfect place for socialization!
- a convenient resource for supplies & tools!
- the best option for higher level instruction!
- a great opportunity to work cooperatively.
- a convenient resource for supplies, tools and more.
- a wonderful environment to work independently!
- an inspirational zone to discover new interests!
- the sweetest spot to make lasting memories!
- a lovely chance to make new friends!
- a safe situation to try out new skills!
- a fantastic solution for hands-on activities!
- exactly what your homeschool needs!
Where can you find a microschool?
If you are interested in finding a microschool, the best place to start your search would be on the internet. But, as mentioned at the start of this post, the internet has a wide range of information regarding microschools. So, to narrow your search, you may want to start with Kaipod.
Kaipod operates a network of professionally-run learning pods and microschools across the country where “Your child gets a community. You get support.” Kaipod has dozens of microschool learning communities across the country. With their interactive map, you can find the Kaipod microschool closest to you. Of course, there are probably thousands of other microschools out there and I encourage you to find the best fit for your family (afterall, isn’t that what homeschooling is all about?!?) But I think Kaipod is an excellent starting point. You can read about their academic approach, see their locations, get a feel for the physical aspect of a microschool and more. You can even use the information there to guide you in your further search.
Unfortunately, where I live, the closest established microschool is three hours away. But, Kaipod also offers support in the area of establishing your own microschool! I’m not saying it would not be an enormous undertaking but if the idea of a microschool appeals to you and your family, but you do not live near one, you may want to do a wee bit of research on the process of starting one.
