Overview

Lizette Valles shares her journey from traditional schooling to homeschooling during the pandemic, leading to the creation of Ellemercito Learning Community in Southern California. Her approach emphasizes personalized, meaningful learning experiences that prioritize connection and engagement.

Key details

  • Valles initially enrolled her son in a private school he loved.
  • The pandemic disrupted traditional learning, leading to isolation and ineffective online education for her son.
  • Valles sought an alternative to screen-based learning, focusing on her son's curiosity and social nature.
  • Ellemercito Learning Community was established as a hybrid homeschool program and microschool.
  • The educational approach combines core academics with real-world experiences.
  • Learning is designed to be rooted in connection, movement, and meaning.
  • Students are encouraged to explore what brings them joy and passion in their learning journey.
  • The goal is to foster curiosity, confidence, and a sense of self in learners.
  • More families in California are seeking personalized, flexible educational options.
  • New educational models are emerging, driven by educators with a clear purpose despite limited resources.
  • Microschools are small, relationship-focused communities not linked to public school systems.
  • Regulatory challenges exist, with small programs facing stringent zoning rules and permit requirements.

Context

The shift towards alternative education models like microschools reflects a growing demand for personalized learning in California, particularly following the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

What happens next

As families continue to seek innovative educational solutions, it remains to be seen how regulatory frameworks will adapt to support these emerging models.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific challenges faced by microschools in terms of zoning and regulatory hurdles are not confirmed.