New Hampshire
Homeschool Resources
What are microschools?
Microschools educate children in highly personalized environments that can be described as a 21st-century take on the one-room schoolhouse. These intentionally small schools focus on individualized learning over standardization, harnessing student interests for learning, and creating tight-knit communities that build the bonds of trust that enable deep, meaningful learning.
What are the characteristics of a microschool?
Interested in finding a microschool?
Do you have a microschool that you’d like to add to the list? Sign up here:
Characteristics of Microschools
Although there is no common definition of microschools, they typically share the following characteristics:
Small size. Microschools usually serve anywhere from 10 to a few dozen students, though they can be as large as 100 or 150 students. This allows for educators and students to better connect with one another, build the mutual trust needed for deep learning, and ensure no students are slipping through the cracks.
Multi-age grouping. Instead of sorting students into separate grades based on age, microschools typically educate a range of ages together in a single classroom. This often leads to a less competitive and more nurturing form of education. In a classroom of 6, 8, and 10-year-olds, each child tries to do their best with little concern about “beating” the other.
Teachers as guides. Instead of utilizing the “sage on the stage” model of teaching students through lectures, microschool teachers serve more as guides who coach students through personalized curricula.
Personalization. Along with school size, personalization is a key characteristic of microschools. Instead of a standardized curriculum that all kids follow at the same time, there is a heavy emphasis on personalization through project-based learning, utilization of digital tools, and – whenever possible – using children’s own curiosity and interests to drive their learning.
Student-led discussions. Also called Socratic dialogues, this method engages students’ critical and inquisitive thinking through purposeful conversation. A facilitator (sometimes the teacher) poses a question and leaves it to the group to discuss and debate. This method not only builds critical thinking, it helps develop the interpersonal skills they will need as adults.
Educator entrepreneurships. Instead of rigid bureaucracies and demeaning labor contracts, microschools provide educators with the space to teach. Instead of being required to follow a standardized path, teachers can adapt to meet the day-to-day needs of students.
