Is a Microschool Right for You and Your Family?

Have you ever felt like your child is just another number in the system? A 40:1 or even 30:1 student-to-teacher ratio can easily bring that type of thinking. 

Many parents sense that something is missing in the large, traditional school classroom. They see that students are missing the individuality, the joy, and the spark that keeps learning exciting. They want an alternative education model that recognizes unique strengths and needs, where curiosity is encouraged and relationships matter as much as results.

Microschools are emerging as that alternative for more and more families.

“Microschools bring that vision to life. They’re not an experiment. They’re a return to what works when learning is rooted in connection, curiosity, and community.”
— David K. Richards, CEO & Founder, Changemaker Education

These small, personalized learning communities bring education back to a human scale. They help every child feel seen, valued, and inspired to learn.

Curious or uncertain if a microschool could work for your family?

We've built the Microschool Fit Quiz to help you, plus, here are some important aspects to consider.

Addressing the Big Misconception

One of the biggest misconceptions about microschools is that they’re only for students who struggle in traditional settings. In reality, the opposite is true. Microschools serve families who want learning to feel meaningful, engaging, and personal.

As the above pain point illustrates, microschools fill the void for families who simply want their child’s learning to feel meaningful and engaging.

Better stated, microschools are more welcoming to diverse learners. These are students who are advanced in some areas, curious and creative thinkers, kids who need more movement, and others who simply crave a closer sense of belonging.

There are many different types of microschools as well. Most microschools utilize experiential, project-based learning, and inquiry-driven exploration. Others may choose to emphasize outdoor education, performing arts, physical wellness, real-world skills, personalized academics, STEM, and/or social-emotional development.

Each community reflects the needs and values of the families it serves.

Signs a Microschool Might Be Right for Your Family

With a better understanding of a microschool’s goals and benefits, how do you know if a microschool could be a good fit?

Here are a few signs that might sound familiar:

Your child feels lost or overlooked in large classrooms: Maybe they’re quiet, or maybe they learn differently, but either way it feels like their strengths and challenges blend into the crowd. In a smaller environment, their voice and needs have space to matter every day.

You want to be more involved in shaping your child’s learning experience: Instead of feeling like decisions are happening around you, you want a school that welcomes your input, communicates openly, and values parents as partners in the learning process.

You value creativity, flexibility, and hands-on, real-world learning: You want your child doing meaningful projects, exploring ideas, building things, solving problems, and learning through experiences, and not just worksheets, lectures, or test prep.

You want your child to be seen as more than a grade or a test score: Similarly, you want a place where who they are (personality, interests, strengths, quirks) matters as much as their academic performance, and where emotional growth is supported alongside academics.

If any of these resonate, it might be time to explore something different.

👉 Take our Microschool Fit Quiz to see if this path could be right for your family. The quiz helps families understand their child’s learning preferences, identify their core educational values, and clarify whether a microschool aligns with their goals.

Questions you’ll want to think about:

Learning Environment

• How does your student learn best?
• What kind of space makes your student feel most alive and engaged?

Family Values & Goals

• Which of these best describes the kind of school community you’re looking for?
• How involved would you like to be in your student's school experience?

Frustrations with Traditional Schooling

• What has been your biggest frustration with traditional schooling?
• Have you explored alternative education options before?

Learn more about microschools vs. traditional schools

Practical Considerations

• Are you open to a tuition-based or private-pay school option?
• When are you looking to make a change or explore enrollment?

Mind Body Soul Alignment

At Changemaker Education, we believe that education should nurture the whole child (mind, body, and soul.)

• What role should emotional development play in a student's education?
• How do you think children should learn about responsibility and community?

“We see families rediscovering the joy of learning together. When parents, educators, and students co-create education on a smaller, more human scale, magic happens.”
— Joy Meserve, COO, Changemaker Education

That’s the beauty of microschools. They invite families into something that feels personal, purposeful, and deeply connected.

The Benefits of Microschools

You might already be piecing together the puzzle, but to be clear, microschools combine the best of individualized education with the power of community. 

In addition, families often find that:

• Learning feels personal. Teachers know each student deeply and tailor lessons to their strengths and interests.

• The community is tight-knit. Families, educators, and students form strong, collaborative relationships.

• Students thrive holistically. Social and emotional growth are valued as highly as academics.

• Flexibility is built in. Schedules and learning experiences adapt to student needs, not the other way around.

When education reflects who children truly are, confidence grows, and so does curiosity.

Take the Microschool Fit Quiz

Empowering Families to Choose Differently

Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for who they are, not for how they compare. If you’ve been searching for an approach that honors your child’s individuality, a microschool might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

‍Take the quiz, reach out with questions, and join a community of families reimagining what education can be—together.