What is a Micro School?

Imagine a small school that is highly individualized for your child based on their interests and their abilities. That’s a Micro School.

The model of a micro school is evolving; most are characterized with common traits:

An intentionally small student population,
An innovative curriculum,
Place-based and experiential learning,
The use of cutting-edge technology, and
An emphasis on mastering or understanding material.

The education that micro schools provide is highly personalized. Teachers typically guide students’ curiosity rather than lecture at them. Instead of utilizing a fixed curriculum, they integrate subjects that students are passionate about into daily lesson plans and account for each student’s unique strengths, learning style, and existing knowledge.

In many micro schools:

There is a focus on educating the whole child. In order to meet your student's needs through a customized learning journey, students of multiple ages may be grouped to learn together in a classroom. This model allows students of different ages to learn from each other, gaining a holistic understanding of the topics.

Technology is used to track each individual students’ progress, allowing your child the freedom to structure their own time and set their own goals. Individual programs of study are created that allow students to take deep dives into subjects that they’re passionate about.

The learning experience extends far beyond the physical confines of the school. The surrounding community and its resources become the students’ classroom. Students are encouraged to focus on mastering subjects and understanding why they’re important within a broader context, rather than on trying to get a good grade.

Check Out This Roadmap for Parents Rethinking School

If you have questions about the various educational models, you’re not alone! Micro schools are innovative and offer many options for personalized education.