Our Academic Approach

Trusting our children's innate learning capacity instead of relying on standardized curriculum

True Personalized Learning

We are proud to be able to offer True Personalized Learning for each of our learners. Many schools love saying they are personalizing learning, but they simply use a computer system that adjusts to each child's level in a subject such as math or language arts.

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At Lighthouse Microschool, every part of the learners journey is personalized and supported. This allows for the interests and passions of the individual to be respected and involved. Authentic learning is the goal-not just checking off skills taught. The goals the learner sets are unique to each child and will be a collaboration between the child, the adult guide, and parents when needed.

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Our approach to standardized curriculum

Curriculum in public and other traditional school settings is almost always based on age level and every child at that age must learn the same thing. 

But, that is part of the problem. Each child is so individual and being forced to learn what the grade-level curriculum says they must learn leaves

the students feeling unstimulated, unvalued, and unheard. Each child has ideas about what they want to learn, and what they find interesting. 

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This requires a change in our thinking as educators-to become guides vs. teachers. It requires trust in a child's innate learning capacity.

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We are so excited to be able to offer this to our learners. We know that their learning will be authentic and satisfying for them. When they are able to demonstrate their learning in a way that feel great to them, we know that they will feel the excitement that comes from doing their best and knowing that their efforts were meaningful.

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Learning materials

All that said--we do have a rich supply of learning materials. Everything from authentic Montessori work materials to modern electronic learning items are available for the learners to work with to gain or master a skill.

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We also have curriculum materials from a wide variety of learning styles that the learner can use as needed. Some learners may want a traditional textbook style option and that is available as well

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Our approach on teaching reading

While some similar learning models do not teach reading to young children until they request to learn it, we will be instructing our youngest students in reading on a daily basis. We believe it is important to have a solid base using explicit, systematic phonics in order to give the learner the ability to be more and more independent in their learning journey.  This will be paired with lots of read-alouds and hands-on learning fun.

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