Our Mission: Empower Learners
We help you empower the learners in your life by providing an effective microschool operating system, a learning model that puts the child at the center, and an inspiring and supportive community.
We're on a mission to empower learners!
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Students
Thriving academically and socially, students discover their purpose and pursue their interests.
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Microschools
Taking place in homes and other flexible spaces, small-group learning is engaging and personalized.
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Guides
Empowering the next generation of learners, one parent or community member at a time.
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States
Partnering with state-accredited institutions to provide a tuition-free education option.
What's with the funny name?
Prenda means “gift” in Portuguese and is similar to the Spanish word "aprender," which means “to learn.” Combining these, the message behind our name is that learning is a gift. Our aim is to invite students and adults alike to experience learning as an inherently enjoyable, lifelong human activity.
September 2013
How it all started...
Prenda founder, Kelly Smith, started volunteering at the public library to teach kids computer programming after school.
Soon, the library was packed with kids working on coding projects they were truly interested in— collaborating, solving problems, and having a blast. Prenda Code Club spread from library to library all over the country.
The "aha" moment
Seeing Prenda Code Club students deeply engaged each week and truly loving learning, Kelly had a lightbulb moment.
What if all of school was like this?
August 2017
January 2018
The first Prenda Microschool
This “aha” moment inspired Kelly to consider the future of education and create the first Prenda Microschool in his home with seven neighborhood students.
Prenda has since grown into a full K-8 learning experience.
Empowered to guide
As the word spread about Kelly and his students' learning journey, interest grew.
This idea inspired many parents and community members to open Prenda microschools of their own.
August 2018
September 2018
Expanding access
After seeing so many students thrive, Kelly established partnerships with local schools and ESA programs to make Prenda accessible to more kids.
As more and more states expand school choice funding across the country, even more students are able to participate!
A growing community
Since 2018, Prenda has helped over 1,000 inspiring adults start microschools, and nearly 10,000 students step up to lead their learning.
We’re carrying out our mission to empower learners, one microschool at a time. We are thrilled to continue on this incredible journey with you.
Good idea, Kelly!
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January 2020
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April 2020
June 2020
Our Core Values
Prenda’s core values are the foundation of our culture. We invite everyone in our learning community- guides, parents, students, and Prenda employees- to live these core values in every interaction.
Start with heart
We see others as human beings with infinite value and unlimited potential. We reject labels and categories, focusing instead on humans who deserve empathy and inclusion.
Dare Greatly
We discover our gifts and purpose, set big goals, then take small steps to achieve them. We hold ourselves to a high standard and bravely continue when we hit a roadblock.
Figure it out
We see ourselves as capable problem solvers who do whatever it takes to learn. We fearlessly question, curiously tinker, and stubbornly persist in our efforts to learn.
Foundation of trust
We generously extend trust to others and work hard to earn their trust in us. We assume good intentions and approach others with empathy, curiosity, and compassion.
Learning > Comfort
We choose to keep learning, even when it’s hard. It may be tempting to avoid taking risks, but we know that meaningful learning and growth happen outside of our comfort zone.
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