Curriculum Development in a Microschool: From the Living Room to 80+ Students
Posted on March 10th, 2025 by Makenzie Oliver
Starting a microschool is an incredible journey, filled with challenges, adjustments, and growth. One of the most critical aspects of running a successful micro school or homeschool hybrid is curriculum development. As your school evolves from a handful of students in a living room to a fully operational learning environment with dozens of students, your curriculum must adapt and align with your core values.
Through this journey, I've learned that developing a curriculum is not a one-time event but a continuous, dynamic process. It requires intentional planning, adaptability, and a deep understanding of students' needs. Here are the five most important lessons I’ve learned about curriculum development in a micro school:
1. Curriculum Development Comes in Phases
Curriculum development is an evolving process that occurs in distinct phases:
Alignment Phase: Define your core values and educational philosophy. What do you want students to achieve by the end of the year? What learning experiences do you want to create? Your curriculum should reflect these goals.
Arrangement Phase: This includes planning, pacing, and preparing materials. A strong foundation makes planning much easier.
Asset Organization: Organizing physical and digital resources, creating a system for managing materials, and incorporating community support (guest speakers, field trips, parent volunteers) are all part of sustaining an effective curriculum.
Many new micro school leaders jump straight into planning without aligning their curriculum to their long-term vision. Taking time to set the foundation first ensures long-term success.
2. Systems Matter - Create Plug-And-Play Templates
A well-structured curriculum requires systems.
Lesson Plan Templates: Instead of reinventing the wheel every week, develop a replicable template that teachers can follow.
Curriculum Binders & Crates: Having a structured system where resources are stored, labeled, and accessible makes a significant difference.
Instructional Routines: From progress monitoring to assessment procedures, clearly documented systems ensure consistency and efficiency.
When systems are in place, teachers and staff can focus on high-impact teaching rather than getting bogged down by logistics.
3. Parent Communication is a Priority
Parents entrust us with their children’s education, so communication must be ongoing. Here’s what has worked well:
Frequent Updates: Daily or weekly updates on student progress ensure that families stay informed.
Car Line Conversations: Quick check-ins with parents about student achievements create a strong partnership.
Transparent Assessment: Whether using progress monitoring, portfolios, or standardized assessments, clear documentation of student growth reassures parents that their children are thriving.
Consistent communication fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and improves retention rates
4. Documenting & Planning = Sustainability
Without documentation, everything lives in your head—and that’s not sustainable.
Organize Your Teaching Resources: Whether physical materials or digital files, categorize and store them efficiently.
Batch Plan Your Curriculum: Instead of planning week by week, map out quarterly themes and units to ensure a coherent learning experience.
Maintain Accountability: Meet with teachers regularly to review progress, offer support, and adjust curriculum as needed.
A structured approach allows your micro school to scale and operate efficiently without overwhelming teachers.
5. Flexibility is Key
One of the greatest advantages of a micro school is the ability to pivot when something isn’t working. Unlike traditional schools that demand strict adherence to a set curriculum, micro schools have the freedom to:
Change curriculum mid-year if it doesn’t align with student needs.
Incorporate new learning methods or enrichment activities.
Adapt assessments to better track student progress.
Flexibility ensures that students receive an education tailored to their needs rather than forcing them into a rigid structure.
Curriculum development in a micro school is a journey, not a destination. It evolves alongside your students, your teaching team, and the vision of your school. By focusing on alignment, implementing systems, prioritizing parent communication, documenting effectively, and remaining flexible, you create an enriching and sustainable learning environment.
If you’re looking for more support in developing your micro school curriculum, I invite you to join Micro School Masterminds. Visit teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds to learn more and take the next step in building a thriving educational community.