Microschool Directory

Meridian Micro School is an integrative, innovative elementary program. It reflects our commitment to whole child well-being and student-led inquiry. Classes combine hands-on learning and community experiences, guided by the Montessori philosophy.

Horme Montessori Microschool focuses on building attachment with both the child and their family. Secure attachment is what allows young children to feel safe and confident in exploring their environments, building experiences that will be foundational to future academic education. Along with providing activities that encourage fine and gross motor development, functional independence and spoken language, the aspect of social and emotional development is another central component to the education goals for the children enrolled. Creating a safe environment to make mistakes is paramount to creating a true learning environment and that is what you will find at Horme Montessori Microschool.

At the Cooperative we strive to meet the needs of the whole child. Therefore, our day is scheduled to accommodate the physical and emotional needs of students. Our space is equipped with cooking facilities and areas for structured and unstructured activities, and for group and individual instruction.
As a Cooperative community our students are stakeholders in the learning space configuration and upkeep of our environment. Students have access to kitchen facilities for preparing their own lunches, and are given many opportunities to plan and prepare meals. At the Cooperative we have weekly community lunch on Tuesdays and community breakfast on Thursdays. Students also assist with tidying and cleaning our space to build independent living skills.
As seasoned educators, we understand the need for children to have the opportunity to move and explore. We build outdoor experiences and playtime into every day. We dress for the weather, and venture outdoors to experience nature and increase wonder even in the winter months. With our close proximity to Newblock Park and the Riverparks, we are able to allow our students to climb trees, tumble in the grass, and explore nature. We also provide an introduction to outdoor games and sports, and incorporate walking, hiking, and biking into our schedule.
As lifelong learners ourselves, we seek to inspire students to enjoy reading and learning as well as the arts, and the natural world. We promote a variety of activities including: STEM activities, math talks, novel studies; interest inspired exploration in art, photography, music, history, and geography; and visits to museums, parks, science and cultural centers. We also believe in the benefits of hands-on and experiential learning. We provide students with a variety of hands on lessons and projects throughout the year and we reserve Fridays as field trip and project days.
As mentors, we encourage our students to be active members of our community, and we model kindness, acceptance, joy, love, and forgiveness. We foster these traits in our students daily through interpersonal interaction and through service to our community. The Cooperative is not affiliated with any religious denomination, but, we strive to develop in our students the virtues of patience, honesty, fortitude, mercy, and compassion.

School Without Borders didn't spring from a boardroom, nor a faculty lounge. It began in the heart of a family, globally mobile, navigating the world's diverse landscapes. As we moved across continents, immersed in varied cultures and educational systems, we discovered learning's true power lies beyond traditional walls. Our learners' inherent curiosity, their drive to explore, became our guiding star, leading us to a deeply personalized approach that celebrates each unique passion and talent.

We drew inspiration from Charlotte Mason's philosophy, the Worldschooling movement, and the Maker Movement, embracing a hands-on, student-led method that transcends textbooks. We found the magic of 'living books'—narratives that transport minds and ignite a lifelong love of learning. We experienced the power of real-world immersion, where historical sites became living classrooms and cultural exchanges fostered genuine understanding. We embraced the joy of hands-on exploration, where children create, innovate, and bring ideas to life.

At School Without Borders, personalized education empowers learners to identify their life goals and acquire the skills needed to achieve them. We pair rigorous academics with practical opportunities to explore real-world applications. This allows students to build a robust portfolio of workplace skills and experiences, alongside mastering foundational academic tools for future studies. We offer individualized graduation paths, unique to each learner.

Our learners are supported in pursuing the education necessary to reach their goals. Our college-prep students have earned acceptances, scholarships, and degrees at universities in the United States and Europe, in fields ranging from aerospace engineering to the arts. Universities attended include TUDelft (Netherlands), Berklee College of Music (USA), Northwest University (USA), Arizona State University (USA), and Rickett's Great Books College (USA).

SWB students gain practical experience and skills in fields as diverse as animation and filmmaking, professional music and dance performances, app and game design, aircraft and boat design and construction, and the ethical application of AI. Their creations are presented publicly, often winning awards and scholarships both domestically and internationally.

We encourage entrepreneurship at SWB, and it's not unusual for our learners to develop and launch their own businesses before graduation. We do not believe in holding our learners back—their own ambition and imagination are their only limits.

We believe education should be an adventure, a journey of discovery, not just a series of lessons. At School Without Borders, we cultivate learners who are not only academically prepared but also equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world.