When my grandparents went to primary school, they hiked for miles along a dirt road to a one room schoolhouse. They were greeted by the solo teacher and their peers that ranged in ages from five to fifteen. Lessons were presented and applied to all levels, and students collaborated their learning experience.
It’s now 2017, and each day I drop my kids off at the front of their public school comprised of seven grades (transitional kindergarten or TK, kindergarten, and first through fifth). All of the students are divided by grades, except the occasional dual grade combo class. My first grader has 26 students in her class, my second grader has 23, and my other second grader is in a second/third combo class of 24. Each class is assigned one teacher, and if funding allows they have a part time para as well. The para aids the teacher but doesn’t “teach lessons.” In addition to the core curriculum, they do PE (think jumping jacks, crab soccer, capture the flag) twice a week, science and computers once a week, and either art or music once a week.
When I chat with other parents, we all gripe over the same hot topics regarding our traditional (public) school experience;
- Too much busy work / homework
- Lessons are not personalized to each students’ level
- Teachers are too divided in their attention due to high student teacher ratio
In traditional school, teachers are expected to push along their students at the same pace, regardless of the students' actual level. The ones that struggle, the average students, and the ones that are excelling, all must fit into the same mold. Because there is an expectation that all students in a given class must “pass,” there is a greater focus on the students that are below grade level. It’s understandable that this happens, but leaves many students missing out on ample learning opportunities.
Home-schooled students have the advantage of working at their own pace, and ability to learn at their specific level. But they lack the daily peer interactions and a classroom setting.
Now meet the micro school.
Micro schools are a modern niche that tap into that old one room school house style from our grandparents era. Multiple teacher teams (emphasizing low student teacher ratio) with a mix of ages. Micro schools vary in size but most are 15-20 students, although some are up to 150. There’s a flexibility with less students (and more teachers) that opens up a whole world of learning opportunities. Teacher teams collaborate to integrate literacy, mathematics, foreign language, STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics), music, and social-emotional confidence. Curiosity and creativity are encouraged through hands on learning. Teachers and students can dig deep into projects, problem solve, adapt a love of learning, and not follow a mold. Modern technology is embraced and curriculum is adapted as needed to prepare students for real life.
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Our daughter is in a traditional school that is opt in through school district. We love and it's perfect for her. This school from kindergarten to 8th grade is project base learning (PBL), STEAM and all about collaboration and teaching and accepting diversity.
ReplyDeleteThat’s great to hear! What are the student teacher ratio like? And how well is technology integrated.
Delete1 teacher, 20-23 students, some classrooms have a para. Also resourse teacher comes at key times. Starting in kindergarten they use iPads for presenting projects and have computer lab. 2nd on they use chrome books. Robotics class 6th-8th
DeleteSo it seems the primary difference between what you're describing and a micro school is that micro schools are "micro" or "small" and therefore have unique opportunities. The whole school maxes out around 20 (in our case) with a teacher team of 3+ teachers. They also heavily integrate modern technology, more than computer lab or typing up their stories. I'll dip deeper into this on my next post. Your school sounds wonderful, thank you for sharing!
DeleteAs a parent of a 3 year old we are only in pre school but I'm really interested in this! Do you have any resources that you can recommend for finding a micro school? Some of the key features sound similar to montessori but with a main difference being the addition of technology? Would you agree with that? Thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading! Many of the key features of Montessori certainly overlap with micro schooling. I agree that the key difference is the highlight of technology, but also the sheer size of the class/school. Micro schools uniquely have a small community of about 15-20 students. Micro schools are new, really starting to pop up the last few years. I do not know of a master searchable list, but great idea! We couldn't find a micro school in our area (without a long commute), which is why we decided to start one.
Melonie