National Microschooling Center's Thursday Bulletin

Hello microschooling friends!

“A microschool is a small, intentionally-designed learning community that prioritizes personalization, strong relationships, and student-centered learning experiences tailored to the needs of its learners,” an accomplished micro-middle-school founder says in a new article on the Center website. As we work around the country and never see two microschools ever exactly the same, we find this spirit strong across the movement everywhere our team engages, and these days that is in a lot of communities all across the nation. 

In this week’s edition:  South Carolina budget kerfuffle impacting microschools, upcoming free webinars for Florida leaders on navigating increasingly complicated rules and frameworks, 26-27 Learning Tool information, another new video drop and lots of upcoming opportunities to engage with our team of experts to solve challenges you’re facing.

Legislative Updates

The closing weeks of South Carolina’s legislative session, like many states have been in recent years, has been a rollercoaster for the future of school choice. South Carolina’s Senate Education Committee this week voted to limit the budget for private school choice scholarships to 10,000 students, the current year’s level, rather than expanding the program to include 15,000 children as the legislature has previously authorized. Both sides are negotiating encouragingly to bridge the budget gap. While many families currently use the program to “unbundle” their schooling, those already in the program are expected to be permitted to remain there. SC microschools often opt to serve children of families who adhere to the state’s three categories of homeschool requirements.

Wondering why families (and teachers) are choosing microschools?

Take a listen as our CEO, Don Soifer, and Field Coordinator, Dr. Erin Flynn, share about why microschooling is the answers, not only for families but for educators!

The Center at ASU+GSV

Next week at the ASU+GSV Summit on Wednesday, 1/15 at 11am, our Don Soifer will be discussing how accountability for microschools that accept ESA dollars can work best (and related topics), alongside a panel of leaders including former NM Governor Susana Martinez, Flourish Microschools founder John Danner and innovation expert Michael Horn.  Details and location here. If you’ll be there, Don would love to see you, reply to this message to let him know.

One Movement, Infinite Possibilites

"The nimbleness and diversity of microschooling is one of the core strengths of the movement, and the ongoing learning opportunities are for students, yes, but also for anyone interested in joining the movement," Katie Elliott discusses the virtues of nimbleness, diversity, and other essential traits of today’s microschools in the latest article on the Center’s website.

New School Year, New Tools

Center Members! Are you planning your 26-27 school year? We want to plan with you! Be on the lookout for our 26-27 Learning Tool form to drop in the Center member portal! This gives you the chance to let us know what learning tools you would like to use next year so we can make our purchases for you!

Center Connection

Wanting a convening to help discuss issues going on for schools in your state, or just want to connect with other microschool founders in your state?  Reach out to Alex@microschoolingcenter.org  and we can either connect you with knowledgeable people to help set up a special state-specific virtual meeting for you! Let us know how to best support you, and we are on it!

From Our Friends

Our friends at the impressive team at the Center for Self DIrected Learning will be running their next Learner-Centered Microschool Accelerator—May 30-June 1, 2026. This will be a 3-day immersive experience in Trilith, GA — south of Atlanta —to work with some of the very best, most accomplished leaders in the movement to launch your learner-driven microschool with confidence, clarity, and community.

The Can't Miss of the Season!

Take a look for virtual trainings, conferences, local meetups and more!

Register for any event here!

Center Webinars

Navigating Florida's Landscape for Microschools: Thursday, April 16th at 4pm PT ET AND Tuesday, April 21st at 5pm PT ET

Our own frameworks expert Don Soifer is teaming up with Florida legal expert Lynn Swanson from the Stand Together Edupreneur Resource Center! 

Bring your questions about Florida's complex maze of government requirements for this hourlong webinar that will include discussion about topics of importance to Florida microschools. These two sessions will be similar so register for either one that works for you:

Thursday, April 16th at 4pm ET (Register here)

Tuesday, April 21st at at 5pm ET (Register here)

Microschool Insurance 101: The Must-Have Guide for Real-World Learning Environments: Wednesday, April 22nd | 4pm PT/7pm ET

Microschools aren’t cookie-cutter, and your insurance shouldn’t be either. This session brings a fresh lens to the coverage conversation. Join Jefferson Motto, Team Lead for Partnerships at Veracity Insurance Solutions, for a fast-moving, founder-friendly walkthrough of the policies that actually matter when running a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. 

Register here!

Center Virtual Meetings & Office Hours

Virtual: Currently Operating Microschool Office Hours, Thursday, April 9th | 3pm PT/6pm ET

Looking to talk all things microschooling? Join Center Field Coordinator, Alex Roosenburg, and a community of founders to share insight, ask questions and learn together. This office hour session is open to all currently operating microschools. Register here!

Virtual: Measuring Impact Design Lab Info Session: Monday, April 20th | 11am PT/2pm ET

Looking to learn more about how to use the Measuring Impact Design Lab? Curious how to submit a project? Want to ask questions? Here's the chance! Join the Center team to learn more! Register here!

Virtual: Prelaunch Office Hours: Monday, April 20th | 3pm PT/6pm ET

This is an open session for any Microschool founders in the ideation or pre-launch phase. Alex will lead conversations, answer questions, and provide help as you decide on your next steps in your process! Register here!

Center Training Office Hours

Virtual: Training Institute Office Hours: Tuesday, April 28th | 1pm PT/4pm ET

If you completed a course through the National Microschooling Center Training Institute, you may now register for one office hour session for the course you have completed. Register here! 

Center Cohort Meetings

Virtual Cohort: High School: Monday, April 20th | 4pm PT/7pm ET

If you are currently running a high school, are considering starting one, or growing your microschool to include high school, join us here! We talk and share about everything high school related - graduation requirements, college entrance, parking for older students, and so much more! Email erin@microschoolingcenter.org for more info!

Center Regional Meetup

Virtual: Georgia: Microschool Founder Meet Up: Tuesday, April 14th | 3pm PT/6pm ET

This meetup is for Georgia microschool founders! This is your chance to connect, learn together and share! Email Tiffany Blassingame at tiffany@microschoolingcenter.org for more info!

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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