The Microschool Movement: Why Families Are Choosing Flexible Learning Options

‍What Is the Microschool Movement?

It's no secret that microschools are redefining education, offering community-based education that blends the best of homeschooling, small-group learning, and flexible private schooling. Unlike the rigid structures of traditional public and private schools, microschools prioritize personalization, student autonomy, and mastery-based learning.

These small, independent learning environments give families more control over their child's education while fostering close-knit communities where students thrive.

With rising dissatisfaction in traditional schooling due to declining academic performance, mental health concerns, and a desire for more family-centered lifestyles, more parents than ever are considering alternative education models like microschools. But how widespread is this movement?

The Rise of Microschooling: How Many Families Are Making the Switch?

Microschooling is not a fringe idea—it’s a rapidly growing movement. A recent EdChoice poll found that 10-14% of school parents are already microschooling their children (EdChoice, 2023). That’s over 1 million students nationwide—a number that has doubled since 2021.

And it’s not just those who have already switched—many more families are open to the idea. The EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker found that more than half of American parents would prefer an alternative to traditional public schools if cost and logistics weren’t a barrier (EdChoice, 2023).

20% of parents surveyed in August of 2024 indicated that their child(ren) had switched schooling types (from public to private, to charter, or homeschool, for example).

The demand is clear: families are looking for education models that are more flexible, personalized, and aligned with their values. But is this a trend or foundational shift that will make real change?

Why Microschools Are the Innovation That Will Actually Change Education

For decades, education reform efforts have fallen flat because they simply tweak the existing system rather than replacing it with something fundamentally better. As Michael Horn explains in Education Next, “Most innovation efforts won’t transform K-12 education because they don’t alter its core structure” (Education Next, 2024).

Microschools, however, are different. Instead of trying to "fix" large-scale education, they operate outside of traditional systems, empowering parents and educators to create small, student-centered schools that actually work.

And unlike private schools, microschools are becoming more accessible through state-funded school choice programs. The National Microschooling Center reports that 32% of microschools receive tuition funding through state programs, making them affordable for middle- and low-income families (National Microschooling Center, 2024).

How Prenda Makes Microschooling Even More Accessible

One of the biggest barriers to alternative education has always been logistics. But that’s changing. Prenda makes it easy for parents and educators to start a microschool in their community—without needing to navigate complicated bureaucracy or funding models on their own.

Through step-by-step guidance, curriculum support, and built-in state funding partnerships, Prenda allows families to create small, high-quality schools anywhere. This model is scaling faster than traditional education reforms because it doesn’t require massive policy shifts—it simply gives parents the tools they need to take control of their child’s education.

Why Parents Are Choosing Microschooling

So why are parents making the switch? Frustration with traditional schools is at an all-time high, driven by academic failure, mental health concerns, and misaligned values.

1. Poor Academic Performance in Traditional Schools

Academic outcomes in public schools continue to decline, leaving many parents searching for better options. The latest NAEP scores show reading levels have fallen to historic lows, with struggling students falling even further behind (Education Week, 2025).

Microschools address these gaps by focusing on mastery-based learning, ensuring that students truly understand concepts before moving on. This is particularly appealing for families who want their children to catch up or get ahead in a way that traditional schools don’t allow.

2. Mental Health & Well-Being

Rigid schooling structures and high-pressure academic environments have contributed to a youth mental health crisis. Microschools take a different approach, prioritizing student well-being and individualized support.

Modern neuroscience and psychology research points to a handful of things that need to be present in a learning environment if we want kids to be engaged, happy, and learning. Namely, a strong sense of community, a feeling of competence, and a healthy dose of personal autonomy. None of these things are present in most traditional classroom environments and with two-thirds of high school students reporting that they are disengaged at school and 42% of teens telling us they are feeling persistently sad and hopeless, it's clear we need to do something different.

3. Differing Values & A Desire for More Parental Control

Besides mental health and academic concerns, finding a learning environment that is aligned with their family values is one of the main reported drivers amongst parents who had kids recently switch learning environments (EdChoice Morning Consult, 2024). Many parents feel that traditional schools no longer align with their values. Microschools allow families to shape their child’s education around their own values and priorities rather than deferring to a government-mandated curriculum.

4. A More Flexible, Family-Centered Life

Unlike rigid public school schedules, microschools give families more freedom to prioritize family life, community engagement, and real-world learning. Instead of spending hours on homework and standardized test prep, kids have time to explore, create, and develop real-world skills.

Tom Arnett, senior research fellow at the Christensen Institute, recently found that parents who made the switch to microschooling were looking for a greater voice in their child’s education, a more nurturing and supportive learning environment, and a holistic approach that balances academics with social-emotional development (Christensen Institute). All three of these priorities are met with the microschool model and provide a more flexible, family-centered life.

What Is Life Like as a Microschooling Family?

A microschool is more than just an alternative education model—it’s a lifestyle. Families that choose microschooling often find that their children are not only learning more effectively, but also experiencing a richer, more joyful childhood. (Take a deeper look at results of microschools here).

1. Small-Group Learning & Personalized Mentorship‍

With an average class size of just 8-12 students, microschooling ensures that every child receives personal attention, mentorship, and support.

2. Mastery-Based Learning: No More Falling Behind or Feeling Bored

Microschools focus on competency rather than seat time, meaning kids advance at their own pace. They aren’t stuck in a system that moves too fast (or too slow) for them.

3. A Whimsical Childhood with Time for Play & Exploration

Instead of spending hours in structured classrooms, microschool students spend more time outside, playing, and engaging in hands-on learning experiences. Parents who switch often say their children are happier, more curious, and more excited to learn.

4. Parents Have a Strong Influence on What & How Their Kids Learn

Unlike traditional schools, where parents have little say in curriculum or teaching methods, microschool families are deeply involved in shaping their child’s education.

The Future of Education Is Here—And It’s in Your Hands

The microschool movement isn’t just a trend—it’s a paradigm shift. As more families demand flexible, personalized, and values-aligned education, microschools will continue to expand, transforming the future of learning.

No matter what path you choose for your child, one thing is clear: parents are the driving force behind education reform. And that is something worth celebrating. 💛

‍

Bring a Microschool to Your Community

If you'd like more information about how you can bring a Prenda microschool (or two or three 😉) into your community, drop in your email below and get immediate access to a free overview webinar that goes over everything you need to know!