Microschools have become a popular answer to many common problems faced by public schools. In a microschool setting, students are able to receive a more personalized education from a dedicated instructor. Microschools have popped up in communities all over the U.S. in the last several years. Passionate, entrepreneurial educators view microschools as a means to make a tremendous difference in their communities through childhood enrichment.

Microschools can serve all levels of schooling (K-12) in the U.S. While interest in this new approach to education is spiking, running a successful microschool can still be challenging. This is especially true for early childhood microschools. With so many childcare and pre-K educational institutions out there, getting your microschool to stand out is not always easy. 

Guide to Microschooling

The objective of microschooling is to provide a more enriching educational experience to your students than traditional schooling would allow. 

• Identify Your Specialty 

One of the first keys to running a successful microschool is to identify your specialty. Most microschools start because some quality is perceived to be lacking in the established options available to the community. You should have a clear idea of your target market before anything else.

• Choosing Target Market

When choosing your target market, do not just consider what suits you best. Consider the needs of the community as well. Are there a lot of working parents in your area? What is the typical age or income level of parents in your community? These questions can help you better identify ways you can serve the community.

Talking with parents in your community can also provide great insight when establishing a microschool. Listen to the concerns, complaints, and wishes of parents to inform your school’s eventual mission according to the community’s demands.

• Get the Word Out

Once you have your target audience, the next step is to get the word out about your microschool. If you have already done community outreach before this, you will have already got the ball rolling on this step. The larger your network, the easier it will be to recruit parents and students. Social media can be a powerful tool here. If your community has a dedicated Facebook page, for instance, you could consider marketing your microschool there.

When marketing your school, remember to stay focused on what sets you apart from other early childhood development options. In general, microschools aim to offer a more personalized and enriching experience than their alternatives. Appealing authentically to parents about their child’s enrichment and development can be an effective strategy.

A Model Microschool Example

While every micrschool should be unique, it helps to look at other successful microschool examples as blueprints for your own. A successful microschool should have a clear vision, philosophy, and structure.

Little Elm STE(A)M Academy is an excellent example to follow for prospective microschool directors. Based out of North Texas, Little Elm STE(A)M Academy offers a well-rounded, nourishing developmental education for young children. By focusing on early-childhood STEM education, parents can trust the program to provide a comprehensive, personalized experience for their kids. The program’s web page clearly provides parents with information, schedules, and other parent reviews to illustrate the program’s benefits.

A successful microschool should have a clear, unique vision for itself and its students. This is true for Little Elm STE(A)M Academy, and their example can serve as an inspiration for others.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you are thinking of starting a microschool but don’t know where to begin, Wonderschool.com/start can help. Whether you are in Lousiana, Texas, Oklahoma, or anyone of our great states, Wonderschool can get you started on running a microschool child care business today.