LEADPrep is a micro-school. We know what a micro-school is, but what are the benefits?
Here are just a few:
Personalized curriculum
A micro-school is able to personalize the curriculum to the needs and abilities of individual students. There is less reliance on external data like standardized testing and more on learning about the student and helping him or her find the best way to succeed. The long term learning is more important than the short term score.
Reduced homework burden
Students at LEADPrep have little homework. The students are taught with a flipped model. After a brief introduction to the knowledge in the homework video (“flip”) the students use the knowledge in a practical and fun way. They don’t sit at home for hours staring at a book – they create, investigate, and explore, to facilitate a more deep understanding and familiarity with the concepts they are taught. This happens at school with many teachers present to guide learning.
Mixed age classroom
Micro-schools can create environments where students are not segregated by age or ability. Students of mixed ages can work together to learn, to teach, to share, to explore, and to expand their own environments.
Nurturing, supportive community
Micro-schools are by nature small, which enables the students, families, and educators to create strong bonds that nurture the students and support their learning and their growth as individuals.
Project-based learning
Our STEM-based projects build creative problem solving and collaboration skills in LEADPrep students. Concepts, issues, and values are explored and then blended together in projects that create learning, understanding and a broader empathy for their community and world.
Emphasis on character development
It’s not about grades. Micro-schools place a high value on the whole student, not just the academics. Obviously we want students to learn content, but along the way the growth of the student’s character, self-knowledge, and values has just as much importance as the daily in-class work. Well-rounded, kind, creative, and thoughtful students are a specialty of micro-schools.
High student agency and self-management
The learning activities at LEADPrep are meaningful and relevant to the students. Learning is driven by student interest so that students have a voice in what and how they learn.
As students mature and develop, LEADPrep helps them become comfortable with their own self-management. Students are supported in decision making which triggers a greater investment of interest and motivation.
LEADPrep educators work hard to ensure that students learn and grow through their years with us, and leave us ready to tackle the next challenges of their lives with the tools and skills they need.
LEADPrep Micro-School Book is Coming!
To support more communities in building micro-schools, Maureen has been writing a micro-school guidebook this summer. After explaining what today’s kids need and seven steps to building a micro-school. Finally, her book explains how LEADPrep followed those seven steps and opened its doors. Kester (Julian’s mom) is the talented copy editor. Stay tuned for an October book launch celebration!!
