Interested, but too far from central Illinois?
Many people have commented to me on TikTok saying they want schools like this all over our country. We have to make that happen TOGETHER.
​
I am not seeking any money from anyone who wants to learn how to do this. I am teaching myself, making it up as I go, using various online resources and my own creative problem solving abilities. I will link resources here, and will post updates about how I am doing this so that you can also look into the requirements in your state and see if it is something you can do in your local community.
​
If you want to talk to me directly, email me at mx@pridelearningacademy.com and let me
know how I can be of support to you!
"I have always wanted to start a school like this, but I have no idea where to begin. How are you doing it?"
Micro schooling is a fairly new concept, but it is gaining traction all around the country.
The idea is a small school, less than 150 students. I am trying to start with a group of 8-12 students for this first year. From the research I have done so far, rules vary depending on which state you are in, and most micro schools can operate similar to a homeschool co-op. There are a variety of resources online to help you better understand the legal requirements in your own state, and I will link those below. The great thing about a small school is that you can build a family-like community, where you know the students and families very well and can individualize/personalize their curriculum, instruction, and schedule much more simply and effectively than within a larger school system.
​
I wanted to create a model where it was tuition-free, but I learned that the most effective way to make this a sustainable, long-lasting place is by charging tuition and finding grants, donors, and other funding sources to be able to offer scholarships for students who cannot afford to pay tuition. I modeled my tuition rates off of private schools in my city, but chose to offer a half-time option to make it more affordable and to allow students who access various therapies or enjoy homeschooling an opportunity to be part of the community without having to attend a full school day.
​
Some states offer a voucher system where families can choose to send their children to any school without having to pay out of their own pocket. Here is a list of information I found online, which is a starting point for you but may not be fully accurate, so definitely look into your specific state to learn more:
​
States with ESAs (Education Savings Accounts):
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
​
States with Education Choice Tax Credits:
Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
​
States with Education Tax Scholarships:
Kansas, Nevada, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Virginia.
​
States with ESA or other school choice options being considered:
-
Kentucky: Has a constitutional amendment pending voter approval.
-
Texas: May be adding to the list, according to a statement by Governor Abbott.
-
Idaho: A proposed education choice tax credit did not clear committee, but a new bill has been proposed, according to Idaho Education News.
​
The beauty is, it is your own school. As long as you research and follow the legal requirements in your state, you can make up the other rules as you go along.
Some questions you might have:
What type of degree/ certificate/ education do you need in order to open a micro school?
This will depend on your state and their rules. In Illinois, we have quite flexible homeschooling rules. Just as parents can research curricular resources to educate their children at home, individuals with the skills required to research and obtain a curriculum and follow the necessary laws and guidelines can also teach a small group of students. Just know that families will be wondering what makes you qualified to teach their kids, so you will need to make sure you feel confident in answering that question and providing a safe, educational environment for learning.
What age range can I teach?
Again, check your state requirements. Consider the type of school you want to create and which population it would best serve. Many Montessori schools are K-6, but some are secondary as well. I chose to offer my school to K-12 because I feel confident in my ability to teach that wide of a range of students. High school students who enroll with me will need to pass the GED exam to obtain a high school diploma equivalency, as I am not yet accredited.
What are my first steps if I decide I want to go for it?
- First, research the legal requirements to do this in your state, and the funding options. If you are one of the states that offer an ESA as stated above, look into how that can help you.
- Speak to some people in your community to ensure there is a market for the type of school you wan to create. I found out there are many students in my area in need of this type of alternative option.
​
- Next, create a website. I used Wix, but there are many options that can help you create a site to describe what you are wanting to build.
- Then, begin spreading the word. Talk to people, post on social media, use Vistaprint to create flyers and pass them around. You want to generate a subscription list on your website of people who are interested so you can keep them updated with your progress.
​
- If things are taking off, use Legal Zoom or another lawyer-type resource to file as an LLC or non-profit (research the differences). From there, you will have an EIN and can open a business bank account, which will allow you to solicit donations and begin generating some money to get started.
​
- Consider a location. Some people do this out of their own home - in which case, you'll want to talk to your homeowners insurance agent. I have seen some people buy and renovate a school bus to make a school on wheels that they can use to work in parks, the community library, and other places. The world is your oyster! Dream big! Just consider any location-related expenses when planning your tuition fees and other business planning.
​
​
​
I will continue to add to this page as I take more steps to take this idea from my heart to the real world.
Look into these resources!
Click each image to open their website.
