By law, public schools in the United States must provide services and support for students with special needs. However, some families find that an alternative to public schooling, known as microschools, better suits their specific needs. Parents of students with disabilities may benefit from exploring this option to see whether it could be a good fit for their child.
These small groups, also sometimes called learning pods, became increasingly popular amid widespread school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have come to describe them as an innovative twist on the traditional one-room schoolhouse. In this type of setting, students receive individualized instruction from a parent or educator.
Fifty-five percent follow their state’s homeschooling framework. Thirty-seven percent are licensed private schools, and 6 percent are public charter schools. The remaining 3 percent fall under Georgia or West Virginia’s categorization as microschools.
The National Microschooling Center reports that most microschools are not accredited, though some are. Only 16 percent of them are accredited in their state, and 71 percent are run by currently or formerly licensed educators. Thirty percent of microschool founders have no educational background; often, these are parents.
Estimates reveal that between 1 million and 2 million students were taking part in microschooling full time as of 2022.
Microschools Serve Small Groups of Students
Microschools are set apart from traditional schools by their size. According to one 2024 report, these types of learning environments have a median of only 16 students.
This contrasts with the size of American public schools and private schools. Public schools serve over 500 students on average, per Research.org. While private schools tend to be smaller, at an average of 174 students, they are still significantly larger than microschools.
Common Educational Approaches
A second feature that distinguishes microschools is the style of teaching. Although microschools tend to vary widely across different states in their education program structures, school year schedules, and teaching styles, many of them share certain features.
Self-directed learning is a common approach to education in these types of schools. Typically, students receive personalized education tailored to their interests and needs, as well as strengths and weaknesses. Only after mastering the material do students move on to new topics.
Access to individualized education that allows students to progress at their own pace can make microschools particularly appealing to parents of students with special education needs and certain disabilities, such as developmental and learning disabilities. In a typical classroom, for example, the class may move on before all students have fully grasped an area of study. When choosing to microschool their children, families can feel more confident that learning will progress according to the student’s pace.
The most prevalent educational approach is project-based learning. In project-based learning, students spend time working on a project that solves a problem or answers a question. By engaging in the project, students learn new concepts and develop skills.
Many microschools also emphasize social-emotional learning. According to the Child Mind Institute, social-emotional learning helps children learn to handle difficult emotions, make good decisions, manage stress, set goals, and develop healthy relationships. For children who are neurodivergent, such as those with autism, this type of learning can be especially beneficial.
Options for Children With Special Needs
Whether a microschool would be a good option for a child with special needs depends on several factors, such as the school’s services and the child’s needs.
Half of microschools surveyed by the National Microschooling Center stated that one of their primary objectives is to provide opportunities to systemically underserved student populations. More than half of microschools – 63 percent – report serving neurodivergent students. Fifty-three percent report enrolling children with other special needs, and 9 percent say they support medically fragile students.
Important Considerations Before Choosing a Microschool
The educational approaches of a microschool could benefit a student with special needs. However, it is important to keep in mind that, unlike public school systems, these types of schools are not required to accommodate all students. They can vary considerably in terms of whether they are run by a certified educator and how they approach teaching. Be sure to research whether a specific microschool could be a good fit before enrolling your child.
As you learn more about local microschools, consider the following questions. It can be beneficial to speak to the parents of enrolled students as well as instructors and administrators.
- Is the school accredited and licensed by your state’s department of education?
- Does the school support students on the autism spectrum or those with other special needs?
- What kind of learning models and philosophies does the school endorse, such as project-based learning or self-directed learning?
- Who founded the school? Does the founder have a background in teaching or other relevant experience?
- What ages are the students?
- What do students go on to do after they leave the school?
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