When Mysa School began almost eight years ago, the microschool movement was still in its infancy.
Siri Fiske, the founder of Mysa School, established the school with approximately 40 students in Washington, D.C., and a secondary location in Vermont. Mysa emphasizes mastery-based learning, where students must demonstrate comprehension before progressing. Fiske believes that smaller school sizes allow students to build deeper relationships at school.
With an annual tuition of around $20,000 for parents who do not receive aid, Mysa follows the Common Core curriculum, similar to public schools. However, Fiske explains that they implement the curriculum in unique ways to enhance learning experiences.
The focus on “mastery” means students are grouped by ability, enabling a personalized learning experience. Students are placed in groups based on different levels, such as reading and writing. This approach allows students to excel in areas of interest while addressing weaker areas over time.
At Mysa, there are no traditional grades, and students have the freedom to explore their educational interests. For example, after being inspired by poet Amanda Gorman, fifth and sixth grade students delved into poetry, sacrificing grammar skills for a deeper understanding of poetry. The school later revisited grammar skills to ensure a well-rounded education.
As one of the early adopters of the microschool model, Mysa has witnessed the rise of microschools across the country. Microschools, characterized by small student populations, have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional public schools.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of homeschooling, leading to a surge in alternative education options. Despite this growth, Fiske is concerned that the original vision for microschools may be overshadowed by political and cultural conflicts.
Small Is the New Big
While public school enrollments are declining, alternative education models like homeschools, charters, and microschools are on the rise. Homeschooling has seen a significant increase since the pandemic, outpacing the enrollment decline in public schools.
Approximately 5-6% of K-12 students are homeschooled, with microschools becoming more prevalent in the educational landscape. Fiske speculates that the rapid growth in homeschooling may be linked to microschools registering students as homeschooled due to zoning restrictions.
Despite the benefits of alternative education options, concerns arise regarding transparency and political influence. Fiske worries that ideological interests may jeopardize the original intent of microschools to improve education practices.
Value-Add
Character development is a key aspect of education that schools often overlook, according to Brandon McCoy, a former researcher at the Manhattan Institute. McCoy advocates for classical learning, which emphasizes moral and civic virtues in students.
McCoy’s research on classical learning schools highlighted their success in promoting character development and academic achievement, particularly among minority students in underserved communities.
While classical learning has gained traction in education, concerns have arisen about ideological influences co-opting the movement. McCoy cautions against the politicization of classical education, emphasizing its importance for all students regardless of political affiliation.
Rebranding
The evolving landscape of alternative schools has prompted Fiske to reconsider the term “microschool.” She worries that external funding and political agendas may distort the image of microschools, leading to misunderstandings.
Fiske believes the need for new labels to differentiate legitimate microschools from informal setups. The core philosophies of these schools may be lost amid labeling confusion and external influences.
