What Are Micro-Schools and How Do They Help Black Kids Learn?
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New micro-schools may be a solution for a one-size-fits-all education system that many Black parents say doesn't serve their children properly.
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It seems as though schooling is going full circle—from 19th-century one-room schoolhouses to the traditional public school system as we know it and now back to a wave of new small-scale schools that individualize and prioritize each student. This is the ethos of micro-schools—typically, they consist of small groups of children of various ages and ability levels taught by a qualified teacher.While there is no standard definition of this type of school, they’re often described as a midway option between homeschool and traditional school. Dominque Burgess, founder of Burbrella Learning Academy Inc. and North Carolina field coordinator at the National Microschooling Center, says she finds beauty in the loose definition. “Microschools allow for one size to not fit all. Each micro-school is unique in its own way according to the needs of the families in that community.”Like homeschooling, micro-schools allow children to have a personalized educational experience geared towards their academic needs and interests, Burgess explains. As a homeschooling mom herself, she is able to design the curriculum and educational experience her two boys have and when she opened her two micro-schools, she was able to train and educate the micro-school team to do that for other children. She says the only difference is that micro-schools allow for more of a standard structure for families around testing, academics, and social opportunities.There are also clear differences between micro-schools and traditional educational settings. “Microschools put the needs of their students before any assessments, standards, or policies,” Burgess says. “As micro-school founders, we are building our own educational institutions without worrying about barriers because we’ve already prepared solutions that are all student-driven because we care about kids.”Burgess’ microschool—which is based in Burlington, NC, and online—uses a learning pod approach for tailored education. This groups earners based on their grade levels and academic needs, and fosters an environment that encourages individualized instruction. "By clustering learners with similar learning requirements, micro-school guides (teachers) can hone in on specific subjects or skills, ensuring each learner receives personalized attention and support. This method not only bolsters academic growth but also cultivates a collaborative atmosphere, where learners learn from each other while benefiting from lessons tailored to their unique learning pace and style.”At her micro-school, kids eat throughout the day as it is important to feed their bodies and have healthy energy to think critically. Learners also have the first hour of the day to just play and release emotions or feelings about what transpired that morning or the night before. It’s an opportunity for the adults and the learners to interact and strengthen their relationships, so it’s very holistic.Serving Black StudentsFor Black kids, this matters tenfold. Research suggests that teachers’ biases may contribute to disparities in academic achievement and suspensions between Black and white students. A 2022 study found that classrooms with more Black and Latinx students receive lower-quality teaching which could reflect the historical and racialized nature of teaching.One report found that Black students in North Carolina are more likely to be over-policed at school than their white counterparts, creating an environment of distrust and fear. Collectively, this racial discrimination increases the likelihood of Black children and adolescents struggling with mental health conditions. These studies are based on real-life scenarios. Janelle Wood, founder and CEO of Black Mothers Forums, says she is all too familiar with these kinds of scenarios. She recalls when a Black kindergarten student had been suspended three times due to him being perceived as a threat. His parents made the decision to send him to a microschool and he thrived because he was seen as smart and inquisitive and he received the nurture he desperately needed. Importantly, he no longer had to face the possibility of suspension or expulsion.This type of excessive punishment, encountered by predominantly Black male students for minor infractions, contributes to a negative cycle that often causes students to disengage, act out, and eventually find themselves in the school-to-prison pipeline.Wood says that unfortunately, stereotypes and biases often impact how educators perceive and interact with Black students. “Oftentimes many of our students are seen as a threat, disrespectful, or disruptive by white female educators, who predominantly teach many of our children. These stereotypes/biases influence disciplinary actions, expectations, and opportunities for academic advancement, leading to multiple disparities in educational outcomes.”Furthermore, low expectations on the teachers' part contribute to limited opportunities to access quality education for many Black children. “Again, the stereotypes/biases that only certain children can learn, stigmatize and further disenfranchise Black children so much that their ability to excel and pursue advanced courses are greatly hampered and increase the achievement gaps we currently see within our public educational system,” Wood explains.There are also evident cultural misunderstandings which can lead to the misinterpretation of behavior and learning styles, resulting in a disconnect between educators and Black students. “Cultural comprehension can significantly help bridge this gap and create safe and supportive learning environments for our Black students. It is always a plus when we have Black educators in the space who can help address misperceptions, serve as role models, and become a safe space for our Black students,” Wood highlights.Highlighting the BenefitsWood says that micro-schools like hers offer several benefits that can positively impact educational experiences and outcomes for Black children. One key advantage is the level of support provided, which contributes to improved student outcomes. She outlines some specific ways in which they can benefit Black children:Individualized curriculums that align with each child's interests and learning styles. This individualized approach enables educators to meet the academic, behavioral, social, mental, emotional, and physical needs of each student, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment.Culturally responsive learning environments provide relevant content and expose micro-school students to the experiences, histories, and contributions of Black people.Fostering a strong sense of community among students, parents, and educators. This community connection can be particularly beneficial for Black children, who may benefit from a supportive network that understands and values their unique personalities, perspectives, experiences, and cultural heritage.Prioritizing the holistic development of students and providing comprehensive support beyond academics. The authentic mentoring that takes place between educators and their students elevates the socio-emotional learning of each student and has proven invaluable for many students. “We had a 1st grader who did not know how to use her words to articulate her needs. With coaching and lots of love, within a year's time, she was able to step away when she was angry, cool down, and then articulate what made her angry, what she needed to resolve her anger, and how to respond in the future and/or what she needed from her peers to eliminate the situation from ever occurring again in the future.”Flexibility and innovation in instructional approaches and curriculum design easily allow for more of a project-based learning environment, which can enhance engagement and motivation among Black students.And it’s not just Wood’s group of Arizona-based micro-schools leading the way for Black children’s academic safety and support. Microschools are popping up more and more every day across the country as many educators and noneducators now understand the needs of children, and allowing children to be children is how you close any educational gap that might exist.For example, Dream Tech Academy in Petersburg, VA is a private micro-school that prides itself on small, mixed-age classes. There’s also the South Atlanta micro-school called Pass Pod for parents seeking an individualized learning experience that supports high academic achievement using a curriculum that is relevant to African American culture and offers real-world learning experiences. Then there are public schools, like Purdue Polytech High Schools Lab School, which have launched their own micro-schools to provide customized education for students.Burgess says that she knows of at least 10 micro-schools in NC opening up within the next month which excites her as the NC Field Coordinator for the National Microschooling Center. "There is also a huge demand for more micro-schools and the center is very excited about the work we are doing to support founders and the micro-school movement.”“We support schools by providing founders with different levels of support from the start of pre-launch all the way through to providing discounted access to high-quality curriculum programs and resources to help founders expand and become sustainable,” she continues. “We support students by providing them and their families with an educational option like a micro-school all they would need to do is reach out to the center directly and we can find them a micro-school in their area.” For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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