National Microschooling Center's Thursday Bulletin
Hello Microschooling Community!
Things are moving fast in the microschool movement, and next week’s newsletter is going to be one you won't want to miss! After months of gathering insights from founders, leaders, and communities across the country, the National Microschooling Center's 2026 Sector Analysis, the biggest, most comprehensive research to date on American microschools, will be published next week. Our research team has been deeply analyzing the data, and let's just say there are some fascinating trends emerging that you’re going to want to see!
And don’t miss the article posted this week by our own Don Soifer and Ashley Soifer talking about the average cost to educate one child in a microschool.
And in case you haven’t heard…we're also officially hitting the road this summer! The Center team will be traveling across the country connecting with founders, sharing new resources, and bringing microschool conversations directly to local communities. Be sure to scroll down for tour dates and locations. We'd love to see you along the way.
If you've been thinking about becoming a member, now is the time. New trainings, research, resources, events, tools, office hours, and member opportunities are rolling out faster than ever. Membership is the best way to stay connected, stay informed, and stay ahead of what's happening across the microschool landscape. The movement isn't slowing down, and we're committed to making sure you don't miss a thing. Scroll down to take a look at some of the benefits that come with being a center member!
In this edition: average cost to educate a child in microschools, summer tour stops, a new cohort starting today (with only a few spots left, this is your last chance) and an exciting new provider resource (and this provider is also a microschool founder)!
The Cost of Educating Children in Microschools
The total average annual cost to educate a student in a microschool is $8,239, according to new 2026 data from National Microschooling Center. As Don and Ashley Soifer write in this new article, this reflects financial realities across the microschool sector, where at least half of microschools operate without being able to access school choice dollars. Microschool founders’ compelling commitment to offer their highly responsive and diversified school models while keeping them affordable to the families they serve in their communities.
The Benefits for Center Membership, even better in 26-27!
Center members receive access to an ever-growing collection of resources designed specifically for microschool founders and leaders, including member-only cohorts, a nationwide founder community, specialized trainings, learning tool licenses catalog, discounted services from trusted providers, and practical resources you can use immediately in your microschool.
A single membership (annual fee of $100) covers your entire campus team, making it one of the most affordable ways to stay connected, informed, and supported. You’ll become part of a vibrant community through the Center’s member portal. And you’ll be supporting a nationally-admired research and advocacy shop championing today’s microschools relentlessly every week.
As a member, you'll gain access to:
The members-only community on HeartBeat (by ensuring our community is made up of microschool founders and facilitators only, you can ask your questions here with worrying who will see it on Facebook)
Cohorts and peer learning opportunities based on the questions we get asked the most
Learning Tool Program opportunities (ps, did you hear about our new tools available this year? Make sure you take a look at next week’s newsletter for an indepth look at our Learning Tool program)
Founder-tested tools (sample budgets, handbooks and more)
Discounts from Preferred Providers
Original research and field insights
Members-only discussions, events, and opportunities
Leadership Achievement Pathway
Consultation with the most experienced and accomplished team in the country
Perhaps most importantly, membership connects you to hundreds of microschool founders and leaders across the country who are navigating the same challenges, celebrating the same wins, and building the future of education alongside you, including our team (did you know every single member of our direct microschool support team - including our cofounders - are microschool founders?)
The movement is growing. New trainings are launching. New research is dropping. New opportunities are emerging every week.
Sunday, June 7th: Florida Founder meetup in Orlando with Tonya Kipe and Katie Elliott, email tonya@microschoolingcenter.org for the info!
Monday June 8th-Tuesday June 9th: Navigating New Horizons Conference in Orlando! Catch Ashley Soifer, Katie Elliott and Tonya Kipe at our booth!
Plus…don’t miss Tonya and Ashlery’s presentation on Tuesday, June 9th at 11:15am, The Microschool Movement: 2026 Trends Shaping the Next Era of Education!
Hint: Stop by the booth for a chance to win a $250 Southwest Airlines Gift Card during the presentation!
South Carolina
Wednesday, June 10th, 9:30am-3pm
Full-day Microschooling Workshop in Goose Creek!
Registration required (and spots are filling up!),register here!
New Hampshire
June 11th-13th
AERO Conference
Join Alex at our vendor table at the AERO conference!
“Prism gives every learner a living portfolio of their learning. Built for microschools, it lets educators, parents, and learners document the full spectrum of growth, from structured classes to self-directed projects to the moments a test would miss; Prism surfaces the patterns and builds the portfolios, transcripts, and reports that make it visible. It is an authentic assessment made sustainable, and a richer answer than grades to the question every microschool faces: how do you know they're learning?”
Interested in learning more (including how to access the amazing discount offered by Prism to Center membersfirst 30 days free and 50% off the following month's fees)? Contact Katie Elliot at katie@microschoolingcenter.org!
Quick! A few spots left for our latest cohort!
Our latest members-only (and free) cohort starts today and there are a few spots left!
It All Begins With a Vision: Building Your Shared Vision Framework with Lisa McClanahan
Every microschool starts with a spark—a deeply personal conviction about what education can be. But turning individual vision into shared vision requires intention. This cohort will guide leaders and their teams through a proven framework to examine their current reality, work through the tensions of growth, and arrive at a Shared Vision Framework that is clear, owned, and actionable. Because it all begins with a vision - and vision changes everything.
This cohort will meet virtually on Thursdays at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET for four weeks starting June 4, 2026. Sign up in the member portal!
Events You Need to Know About
Take a look for virtual trainings, conferences, local meetups and more!
Virtual: National Microschooling Center Sneak Peak, Monday, June 8th | 4pm PT/7pm ET
Whether you are currently operating, planning to launch, or dreaming of launching in a year or two, the National Microschooling Center is here to provide you with the support and resources you need to succeed - not to mention the invaluable community of fellow founders. Join our Zoom with Dr. Erin Flynn to hear everything we have to offer you!
Virtual: Currently Operating Office Hours, Thursday, June 11th | 3pm PT/6pm ET
Join Alex for monthly conversations about struggles, joys, and other general support for running your microschool. We can all work together to suggest resources, celebrate wins, and create a nationwide community of school leaders.
Virtual Cohort: It All Begins with a Vision: Thursday, June 4th | 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET
Sign up in the member portal!
Virtual Cohort: Successful Start Ups and Nonprofits: Wednesday, June 10th | 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET
Sign up in the member portal!
Center Regional Meetings
Virtual: Houston Microschools Zoom Meetup, Tuesday, June9th | 3pm ET
Email Dr. Erin Flynn for more info at erin@microschoolingcenter.org
In-Person: Florida Microschools SeaWorld Meetup, Sunday, June 7th | 3pm PT/6pm ET
We will gather under the SkyTower near the Waterfront Lagoon (a central, easy-to-find landmark inside the park). There is no fee to participate in the Center meetup, but each individual is responsible for purchasing a ticket for admissions to the park.
Have a question? Want to share an idea or resource? We love hearing from you, reach out any time!
Ashley & Don Soifer
and the team of the National Microschooling Center
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