Microschools are appearing everywhere — in headlines, social media posts, and neighborhoods across the country. Families are drawn to the idea of smaller classes, flexible schedules, and more personalized learning. But as the movement grows, it’s becoming harder to tell which models are truly rooted in children — and which are driven by markets.

At Meridian Learning, our work began in 2008 — grounded in the same values that guide us today: child development, community connection, and meaningful relationships. Through our three lab schools — Meridian Montessori, Meridian Micro School, and Meridian Micro Farm — we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Our model grew directly from classroom practice, not from policy labs or investor funding. Over time, we’ve watched two distinct paths emerge: one that grows from the ground up, and another built from the top down.

Grassroots microschools, like ours, stay small on purpose. They’re guided by families and mission, not metrics. They evolve from practice, reflection, and real relationships. And they’re led by educators who teach and serve, not by reform agendas or corporate influence. Many newer “market-modeled” microschools have been catalyzed by education reformers and policy networks. They may use the same language — flexibility, innovation, choice — but their structure often mirrors the very systems small schools were meant to reimagine. Still, as more founders seek authenticity and sustainability, many are beginning to look beyond scale and return to the heart of the work: relationships, community, and purpose.

As more players enter the movement, clarity matters. Not all microschools are created equal. Families deserve to know who stands behind a school’s model — and founders deserve communities that honor authenticity over scale.

Families can explore a growing number of small schools in our Microschool Directory, which highlights programs that share Meridian’s grassroots values and commitment to community-based education. While these schools are not operated by Meridian Learning, the directory serves as a starting point for families seeking more intentional learning environments. The directory is reserved for schools that are part of our Meridian Member Community, ensuring that each listed program reflects a shared commitment to people-centered, purpose-driven education.

For founders who want deeper collaboration, our Meridian Member Community offers mentorship, shared resources, and pathways to accreditation — all grounded in nearly two decades of practice, observation, and refinement across our three Meridian lab schools. Our community remains intentionally small — because quality, commitment, and alignment matter more than rapid growth or replication. It’s a place for microschools that want to stay small on purpose — rooted in service, substance, and the real work of guiding children.

Membership for microschools is an important conversation. At Meridian Learning, we recognized this need early. In 2016, we launched the first microschool membership community — not to build a network for its own sake or to take a cut of anyone’s tuition, but to stand with a grassroots movement that keeps education small, sustainable, and rooted in community.

From the beginning, membership has been about collaboration and support. It’s brought together school leaders and education entrepreneurs who are small by design, relationship-centered, and committed to shared values. Over the years, it has created a space where schools can learn from one another, share challenges and solutions, and grow sustainably.

We believe in the power of small. Depth matters more than scale. Relationships matter more than reach. We reject the idea that funding equals legitimacy; true credibility is built through service, mentorship, and community. A school that thrives for decades in one community is more radical than a hundred pop-ups funded and gone in five.

For microschool leaders, membership means access to mentorship, resources, and connection. For parents, it matters too: membership reflects Meridian’s long-standing role in shaping a grassroots movement that values sustainability and service over markets. It’s one more way we’ve committed ourselves to building a future where children and families remain at the heart of education.

At Meridian, membership has always been about building together. It’s a reminder that when we keep our focus on children and families, microschools don’t just survive — they thrive.

Explore our membership levels here.

Accreditation for microschools is an important conversation. At Meridian Learning, we recognized this need early. In 2020, we launched the first microschool-specific accreditation pathway, designed to support schools that are small by design, relationship-centered, and rooted in community. Our model is:

Tiered: Three levels of accreditation, from a streamlined review to a collaborative peer evaluation.

Affordable: Ranging from $275–$850 every three years, making quality recognition accessible.

Practical: A timeline of 1–3 months from submission to decision, respecting the realities of small schools.

Over the past five years, member schools have used this process to grow in clarity, strengthen community trust, and plan for long-term sustainability.

Because our model was created within the grassroots movement itself, it reflects the real needs of founders and families — not the expectations of large institutions or accelerators. Accreditation has helped small schools articulate their vision, reassure parents, and demonstrate that innovation and accountability can coexist. For some, it has provided the credibility to expand thoughtfully; for others, it has simply affirmed that staying intentionally small is a strength, not a weakness.

As more organizations join the accreditation conversation, it’s worth remembering that grassroots leaders laid the foundation. At Meridian, we’ll continue supporting microschools with a full portfolio of community resources — including accreditation, mentorships, online courses, and consulting — because sustainability in this movement depends on both innovation and accountability.

Learn more about our accreditation pathway here.