What if school felt more personal?
For many families, the search begins with a simple question: is there a place where my child could feel more connected, more supported, and more engaged in learning? Explore whatever you're curious about — in any order, at your own pace.
A school built around your child — not the other way around.
A microschool is a small, relationship-centered learning environment designed to offer students a more personalized experience. Rather than trying to fit every learner into the same model, a microschool creates space for what each child actually needs:
- Smaller learning communities
- Stronger relationships with educators
- Flexible, engaging learning experiences
- A more thoughtful approach to each child's growth
At IMC, we believe this kind of environment opens the door to deeper learning, stronger connection, and a more meaningful school experience.
Four promises every IMC school is built on.
These aren't just aspirational values — they're the promises by which every IMC school is designed, supported, and evaluated, regardless of structure or setting.
Joy
Learning should be engaging and motivating — curiosity and excitement as core outcomes, not add-ons.
Connection
Every learner is known, supported, and valued by educators, families, and community.
Growth
Progress measured by learning, not time — with clear outcomes and room to grow.
Success
Defined broadly and individually — preparing learners for life academically, socially, and personally.
A day in the life.
Every school is different, but many share a rhythm that blends focused learning, real relationships, and flexibility.
Start connected
Students begin in a smaller community where they're known, welcomed, and supported.
Learn with purpose
Instruction in small groups, at a more personalized pace.
Explore actively
Projects, discussion, and hands-on learning connected to the real world.
Grow through relationships
Learning shaped by strong relationships and space to grow with confidence.
How mastery works here.
This is what makes an IMC education different. Students earn badges as they truly master real skills — so learning is proven, not just covered.
These two are just examples. There are currently over 150 badges across grade levels and subjects, with more added all the time.
Mastery-bound, not time-bound
Your child moves on when they've truly mastered something — not when the calendar says so. No being pushed ahead with a gap they never closed. No sitting bored through something they already know. A student who's ready races forward; a student who needs more time gets it — and either way, the foundation is real before they build on it.
A real demonstration, not a test to cram
To earn a badge, a student masters each underlying skill, then proves it for real. For Fraction Namer, that might mean: "You and a friend share two pizzas — you ate ⅝ of one, they ate ⅔ of the other. Who ate more, and how do you know?" They don't just memorize — they use what they've learned.
Built to fit your child
Some badges unlock others, so foundations come first; many can be earned anytime, in any order. And beyond core academics, there are enrichment badges — students can even propose their own, turning a passion like the Rubik's Cube or geography into recognized learning.
You know your child best.
Families explore microschools for all kinds of reasons. Every child is different, and there's no single "type" that belongs here. But often, something specific brings a family to look — and it might sound a little like one of these.
You might be exploring a microschool if your child…
- Gets lost or overlooked in a big classroom
- Is ready to move faster than the pace allows
- Needs more time to build a solid foundation
- Would thrive with a more flexible schedule
- Learns best through hands-on, real-world projects
- Has interests that a standard classroom can't make room for
- Simply needs to be seen and known for who they are
We've sat where you're sitting.
Many of us were the parent fighting a system that couldn't bend for our kid, or the teacher who watched a child slip through and wasn't allowed to stop it. We didn't start these schools because it was a nice idea — we started because we needed them, and they didn't exist.
And families tell us it's working:
"This was an answer to prayer. We were very nervous about how this year would go — and we couldn't be happier."
"We don't have to fight him. He loves to come."
"My child had always been at the lower part of the class. Now they're excited to take the lead."
"I never want to leave." — what one student said about their school day
— Families at an IMC microschool
If any of those feel familiar, you're in exactly the right place — and the next step is simply to learn more. There's no pressure and no commitment. Reaching out is just the start of a conversation.
Common questions from families.
If you're still exploring, here are answers to the questions families ask most.
Two ways to take the next step.
Not sure where you are in the process? That's okay — there's no wrong place to begin. Choose the option that fits where you are right now.
Request more information
Still exploring, or have questions? Submit a short interest form and a member of our team will follow up to help you learn whether this could be a good fit for your family. It's not an application and doesn't reserve a spot.
Submit an interest formBegin a parent application
Ready to be considered for a microschool opportunity? The parent application gathers more detail to help us understand your family and determine fit for a specific site.
Start an application