How Parents Are Rebuilding Education From the Ground Up

In today’s rapidly evolving education landscape, more families than ever are stepping away from traditional public schools—and not just because of recent crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. As education remains one of the few sectors untouched by the personalization revolution, parents are taking matters into their own hands. According to Kerry McDonald, senior fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education, the shift we’re seeing is not just a trend—it’s a full-scale reimagining of how learning can work.

A Growing Demand for Customized Learning

While most aspects of modern life have become increasingly individualized—from healthcare to entertainment to workplace flexibility—education remains rigid and centralized. For many families, this disconnect has sparked frustration. McDonald explains that families are looking for educational models that reflect their values, respond to their children’s individual needs, and allow for more control over content, culture, and schedule.

Rather than asking public schools to change, many parents are choosing to walk away entirely, opting for microschools, hybrid programs, learning pods, and co-ops that offer something more personal and community-driven.

Microschools and Hybrid Models on the Rise

The surge in educational entrepreneurship since 2020 has been largely fueled by parents and former educators who decided to create what they couldn’t find. What started with “pandemic pods” has grown into fully developed schooling alternatives that span a wide range of approaches—including nature-based education, bilingual learning environments, classical and faith-based models, and student-led learning centers.

These small-scale, often low-cost models prioritize flexibility and family partnership. Many are intentionally informal, eschewing accreditation or state alignment in order to preserve their identity and freedom. Some operate full-time, while others offer a few days per week of instruction, allowing families to retain control over certain subjects or faith instruction at home.

In states like Kansas, Arizona, and Florida, the variety of models is expanding rapidly thanks to supportive school choice policies and the increasing demand for alternatives that don’t feel like “mini public schools.”

The Role of Churches and Community Spaces

Churches are beginning to recognize the opportunity to serve their communities in deeper ways through education. McDonald points to growing examples of churches opening their buildings to homeschool groups, microschools, and hybrid programs—offering not only space, but a faith-centered alternative to secular school environments.

In many cases, these schools begin with small groups of 5 to 10 families and grow quickly by word of mouth. Because they are grounded in local relationships and shared values, they’re often more sustainable than large bureaucratic systems.

Rethinking Quality and Redefining Success

A key point McDonald raises is the need to redefine what “quality education” means. For too long, it has been synonymous with test scores, standards, and accreditation. But the new wave of education alternatives prioritizes purpose over performance metrics. For some families, quality means academic rigor and structure. For others, it means more time outdoors, a slower pace, or freedom from politicized content.

Ultimately, McDonald argues, quality should be defined by families—not by distant state boards or standardized tests.

School Choice and Regulation: A Balancing Act

The rise of school choice legislation—particularly education savings accounts (ESAs)—has expanded access to alternatives by allowing families to use state funds for private or home-based options. But many families remain cautious about accepting government money due to concerns about increased oversight.

McDonald points out that while regulation is always a consideration, it’s not guaranteed—and in many school choice-friendly states, she’s seeing less interference, not more. These states are cultivating cultures of trust in families rather than control.

However, she encourages founders and families alike to stay informed and proactive to ensure educational freedom remains protected.

A Movement Already in Motion

Perhaps the most powerful insight McDonald shares is that the future families want isn’t far away—it’s already happening. In cities and rural towns alike, parents are leaving systems that no longer serve them and building something better. What’s needed now is more leadership—more founders, teachers, and faith communities willing to step into the educational gap and meet the rising demand.

Programs across the country are growing quickly, and the challenge is no longer convincing families that alternatives are possible—it’s creating enough of them to meet demand.

Explore and Get Involved

If you're a parent considering a different path, or a church or educator exploring how to serve your community in new ways, now is the time to act. The tools, support, and examples are out there—and they’re growing every day.

For more on this movement and to access resources, visit: edentrepreneur.org

Preorder Kerry McDonald's upcoming book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, arrives in August 2024.

This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wiseandotherwise