Building a Micro School

Covers physical space design for small kindergartens (5-15 children), daily rhythm structure, practical challenges of maintaining 7-10:1 ratios, licensing and regulatory considerations, startup costs, and common first-year mistakes. Builds on developmental science from the Kindergarten First Principles series.

Examines the evidence behind compressed academic learning models like Alpha School's "2-Hour Learning" platform. Investigates AI tutoring effectiveness, accountability gaps (including Pennsylvania's charter denial), the guide vs. teacher distinction, and whether these models are replicable outside proprietary platforms.

Explores mastery-based progression systems, mixed-age grouping benefits and challenges, scaffolding the transition from guided to independent work, metacognition development, productive struggle vs. frustration, and handling the wide range of abilities in ages 6-9.

Covers current screen time research, which edtech tools have actual evidence of effectiveness, practical screen time policies, how to evaluate edtech claims critically, minimum viable technology stack for a micro-school, and digital citizenship for young children.

Explores which soft skills are most predictive of long-term success, explicit teaching methods for empathy and resilience, SEL curricula for small settings, assessment without standardized testing, and the role of project-based learning and mixed-age interactions in soft skills development.

Examines developmental impact of non-parental mentors, age-appropriate job shadowing, structuring mentor relationships for young children, community involvement models, mentor vetting and safety, and balancing real-world exposure with protecting childhood.

Covers forest school structures, minimum effective outdoor time, weather and safety logistics, age-appropriate outdoor activities, integrating academics with outdoor experiences, and required equipment and spaces for effective outdoor programming.

Explores child-led vs. parent-directed choices, the sampling vs. specializing debate, supporting intrinsic motivation, when adult guidance helps vs. hinders, handling quitting and resistance to new experiences, and the surprising role of boredom in creativity and development.

Examines common reasons micro-schools fail in the first 3 years, educator burnout prevention, cost models at different price points, serving diverse learners including those with disabilities, school choice funding mechanisms, and building community to avoid isolation for children and educators alike.