A microschool is a deliberately small learning environment serving 5-20 students, combining elements of homeschooling and traditional schooling with personalized instruction, often led by professional educators in homes, churches, or community spaces.
What is a Microschool?
Microschools are modern incarnations of the one-room schoolhouse—intentionally small learning communities typically serving 5-20 students across multiple ages. Unlike homeschooling where parents provide instruction, microschools are generally led by professional educators (about two-thirds operated by licensed or formerly licensed teachers). They occupy a middle ground between homeschooling and private school, offering personalized instruction without the bureaucracy of larger institutions. As of 2024, over 95,000 microschools serve more than one million students in the U.S., with explosive growth driven by pandemic disruptions and expanding school choice funding. Microschools operate in homes, church facilities, storefronts, and community centers, with costs ranging from $6,200 to $50,000+ annually.
Key Takeaways
- Small learning environments typically serving 5-20 students with professional educators
- Over 95,000 microschools serving 1+ million students in the U.S. as of 2024
- Most students are legally considered private school students, not homeschoolers
- Costs range widely from $6,200 to $50,000+ annually; ESA funding often applicable
- Various models: full-time, hybrid (2-3 days/week), learning centers, philosophy-based
Microschool vs. Homeschool vs. Co-op
Common Microschool Models
The microschool umbrella covers tremendous variety. Learning centers serve as drop-off locations where homeschool children attend workshops or receive tutoring while maintaining homeschool status. Hybrid schools meet 2-3 days per week, with families handling remaining instruction at home. Philosophy-based models include Montessori-inspired, classical education, self-directed, project-based, and forest/outdoor schools. Network affiliates like Acton Academy, Wildflower, and Prenda provide curriculum, training, and operational support to local operators. Some public school districts are even launching satellite microschools as alternatives within the system.
How Homeschoolers Use Microschools
Many homeschool families use microschools as a transition option or hybrid solution. A family might choose part-time microschool enrollment (2-3 days) while homeschooling other days, gaining professional instruction in challenging subjects while maintaining flexibility. Others use microschools specifically during the socially demanding middle school years before returning to full homeschooling or transitioning to traditional high school. Some homeschooling parents start microschools themselves, either joining networks like Prenda or Primer that provide curriculum and support, or launching independent operations to serve their community.
The Bottom Line
Microschools represent a rapidly growing middle path between traditional schooling and homeschooling—small enough for personalization, structured enough for working parents who can't teach full-time. With ESA funding now available in many states, cost barriers are dropping while options multiply. For homeschool families, microschools offer potential solutions to specific challenges: expert instruction in difficult subjects, built-in peer interaction, or a bridge during transition years. Whether you're considering enrollment or dreaming of starting one yourself, the microschool movement continues reshaping what education can look like in America.
