Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators The Rise of Micro schools: How Educators Are Reimagining Learning with David Richards
Nov 24, 2025
David K. Richards, CEO of ChangeMaker Education, shares insights on the thriving microschool movement, which offers personalized learning for 5 to 150 students. He discusses how the pandemic spurred interest in alternative schooling and redefined the concept of one-room schoolhouses. With 125,000 microschools serving 1.5 million students, David highlights the entrepreneurial skills teachers possess and how they can leverage them in this new educational landscape. He also outlines how Changemaker supports educators in launching their own microschools.
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Size Defines Micro Schools
- Micro schools are primarily defined by size: between 5 and 150 students, not by governance or pedagogy.
- They can be private, charter, or district-linked while preserving smallscale personalization.
Pandemic Sparked Rapid Growth
- The pandemic accelerated interest in alternatives to traditional schools and doubled homeschooling rates.
- Pods and parent-led bubbles evolved into many micro schools as families sought community options.
Decide Funding And Compliance Early
- Choose your legal and funding model deliberately: private homeschool learning center, private accredited school, or accept public dollars.
- Each choice changes regulation, testing requirements, and oversight from the state.