The Rise of Micro schools: How Educators Are Reimagining Learning with David Richards

The Rise of Micro schools: How Educators Are Reimagining Learning with David Richards

Author: Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman November 24, 2025 Duration: 24:45

Are micro schools the future of personalized learning? In this high-impact episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht sits down with David K. Richards, CEO of ChangeMaker Education, to break down one of the fastest-growing movements in the education ecosystem: microschools.

With over 125,000 micro schools and 1.5 million students already learning in small, relationship-centered environments across the U.S., this episode delivers a deeply practical and future-focused look at why educators, parents, and policymakers are paying attention.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • What a micro school really is — and why its flexible size (5–150 learners) unlocks personalization 

  • How the pandemic accelerated the movement, doubling homeschooling rates and driving families to seek community-based alternatives.

  • Why micro schools are not new—they're the modern reimagining of the one-room schoolhouse.

  • How micro schools fit across sectors: private, charter, district-partnered, and homeschool learning centers.

  • The regulatory landscape educators must understand—voucher programs, ESAs, accreditation, and state-by-state flexibility.

    Key Insight From David Richards

    Teachers often underestimate how many entrepreneurial skills they already have—project management, relationship-building, instructional design, crisis navigation, and creative problem-solving. Micro schools simply give them a pathway to use those skills with autonomy, community connection, and purpose.

    Featured Guest

    David K. Richards
    CEO, ChangeMaker Education
    Charter school founder • Former Chief of Schools • Micro school accelerator • Host of Changemaker EDU Podcast

    Learn more or apply to launch a micro school at: changemakereducation.com

 

Huge thank you to our show sponsor, learn more about Poll Everywhere:

https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/education?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=shiftingschools&utm_campaign=shiftingschools

 


Ever feel like the conversation around education moves faster than a school day? Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators is here to slow things down just enough for a meaningful dialogue. Hosted by practicing educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, this podcast creates a necessary space for teachers and administrators to dig into the real work of modern teaching. Instead of just theory, you’ll hear from fellow practitioners and thought leaders who are navigating the same challenges you face daily. The discussions move beyond surface-level trends to unpack practical strategies and tools that can be adapted for your own classroom or school. Whether it’s rethinking assessment, integrating technology with purpose, or fostering a more inclusive learning environment, each episode is grounded in the shared goal of improving outcomes for every student. Tuning in feels less like another professional development requirement and more like a candid staff room conversation with colleagues who get it. This is where the abstract ideas about educational change meet the concrete reality of the K-12 world, offering actionable insights for anyone committed to the craft of teaching. Find Shifting Schools wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts for a regular dose of perspective and practical ideas.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
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