Why we are sending our children to a micro-school

Micro-school. It is a term that is becoming part of public discourse, but what does it mean? And why would my family be interested in one?

Micro-schools - private or independent schools with as few as 10 or as many as 150 children - have become an increasingly desirable education option for families in the wake of the pandemic. Fewer children in one space results in a lower health risk while also providing a laundry list of educational benefits. What makes a micro-school unique? Education Week neatly distills micro-schools down to five hallmark attributes:

• Micro schools have no more than 150 students, but are often smaller—from around 10 to a few dozen students;

• Multiple ages learn together in a single classroom;

• Teachers act more as guides than lecturers;

• There’s a heavy emphasis on digital and project-based learning; and

• Education is highly personalized.

This fall, our family opened the doors of The Wilder School, a micro-school located in Winchester, Massachusetts. After months of careful consideration, thoughtful conversations, and collaboration with the local school board, we became a licensed independent micro-school ready to serve the families of our community. But even then, this idea was a long time coming.

So what wasn’t working with traditional school? Academically, we found school to be where math facts are studied and memorized, least the class move on before everyone was ready. It is where reading groups progress through books at a pace and on topics that didn’t meet our child’s interest. Traditional school is where art and music are explored in a regimented way only 30 minutes per week, and where body movement is restricted to 20 minutes on the playground a day. And in too many situations, school is where dejected staff feel shut down from innovative problem solving. As I looked at my children and reflected upon my own experience, learning at school was and remains something largely done to you, rather than something you engaged in.

Every time we looked at it, our children were fine - “a little behind grade level” but otherwise “fine” - and with a prescription of more homework and summer school they would be better (or at least on grade level).

And every time we thought about it, we concluded that our children deserve more than this and they wanted more, too. More play. More movement. More creative expression. More time to dive head-first into information they wanted to know more about.

So, when “fine” was no longer acceptable, we explored every education option possible. We found that traditional private schools are quite similar to traditional public schools in terms of learning methods and student freedom. We found that homeschooling wasn’t the right fit for our family. We found that virtual schooling lacked the social interactions we desired. We found non- and un-schooling to lack a balanced structure. And just as we were ready to give up… we found micro-schools and Acton Academy.

We fell strongly that children need play, movement, and hands-on learning, and we discovered that our parental intuition is backed by increasing amounts of quality research. And when the conversation regarding innovative education methods reaches Forbes, it is worth a strong consideration. In towns all over America, communities of micro-schools are reimagining education, creating personalized plans where children thrive.

When we discovered the concept of micro-schools we knew this was what our family needed. When there wasn’t one close enough for us to attend, we created one for our family and others who are seeking an alternative to traditional school. In opening The Wilder School we are intentionally growing a support and accountability system to inspire and equip children to change the world. As we see it, these children will be supported by a tight-knit community of families, who will have the foundational support and strength of a 300+ member global network of affiliate schools and leaders who are ready and waiting to share best practices, innovative inspiration, and above all a core belief that every child is a genius. Together we will guide our children to be independent, life-long learners who are ready to change the world.

We believe we are building the community which will enable our children, all children, to thrive and are looking for others to join us in this journey. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to connect with us. It is going to be the journey of a lifetime.

- Jess