Florida's education landscape is undergoing a transformation with the rise of microschools, an innovative and personalized approach to learning. The expansion of school choice programs in the state, particularly the use of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), has fueled the growth of these small, flexible educational environments.
Microschools typically consist of fewer than 30 students, often of mixed ages, learning in non-traditional settings like community centers, churches, or even private homes. These schools offer a customized curriculum tailored to the needs of individual students, emphasizing a community-centric approach to education. This model is especially appealing to parents seeking alternatives to traditional public and private schools, which many find lacking in flexibility and personalization.
Microschools/pods serve their purpose in the short term, but their template may still be very much the same as public schools separated by orders of magnitude.
Remember, the ancestor of government schools was the one-room schoolhouse.
We have to radically shift our… pic.twitter.com/bUsy7s8sMW
— Homeschool Life LLC | Jonathan Prescott (@Homeschool_LLC) May 28, 2024
The push towards microschools in Florida has been significantly driven by former public school teachers who are disillusioned with the traditional system. Many of these educators have found new inspiration and freedom in the microschool model, allowing them to implement their educational visions without the constraints of large bureaucracies. The introduction of Florida’s universal school voucher program has further democratized access to these microschools, making them a viable option for families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Governor Ron DeSantis has been a strong advocate for school choice, supporting legislation that enhances the flexibility and funding options available to parents. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, for instance, allows families to use state funds for various educational expenses beyond just private school tuition, covering costs associated with homeschooling, microschools, and other educational services.
"‘Microschools’ could be the next big school choice push. Florida is on the cutting edge." via @politicofl #schoolchoice #florida https://t.co/JLyesx2ByH
— Fdn for FL's Future (@AFloridaPromise) July 24, 2024
One prominent example of a successful microschool network is Primer, which operates multiple locations in Florida, including areas like Kendall and Coconut Grove. Founded by Ryan Delk, Primer aims to provide high-quality education by empowering teachers to run their own schools with the support of the company's resources. Primer’s microschools emphasize student agency, allowing children to pursue passion projects alongside traditional academic subjects.
The effectiveness of microschools is evident in the academic progress of their students. Primer schools, for instance, utilize the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Test to track student performance, and their data shows that students in these microschools often outperform their peers in conventional schools. This transparency and accountability are crucial factors in gaining parents' trust and support.
South Florida, in particular, has become a hotspot for microschools and other educational innovations. The region boasts a variety of educational options, from single-subject tutors to immersive programs like Saltwater Studies, which offers marine science lessons in public parks. This diversity allows parents to create highly customized educational experiences for their children, blending elements from different providers to meet specific needs.
As microschools continue to proliferate, the broader implications for the education system are significant. By offering a more personalized and flexible approach, microschools challenge the traditional one-size-fits-all model of education. This shift not only benefits students but also revitalizes the teaching profession by providing educators with new opportunities to innovate and inspire.
