General Questions
What is a micro school?
A microschool is a personalized learning environment led by one or a few teachers with limited students. They provide flexibility in structure and curriculum, allowing for a tailored experience that caters to students’ individual needs.
What makes your micro school different from traditional schools?
Our micro school uses a hybrid approach and prioritizes smaller class sizes, a customized curriculum, and a focus on each child’s unique learning style and pace.
What grades do you serve?
At this stage, we are collecting an interest list to gauge demand. Our immediate goal is to serve K-5 students with future plans for a K-12.
How many students are in each class?
We limit class sizes to eight students to ensure personalized instruction.
Admissions and Enrollment
How do I apply to the micro school?
At this time we are taking an interest list. If you’d like to be considered, please join the list and we will contact you with the instructions for the application process as soon as it opens.
Is there an admissions test?
No, we do not administer an admissions test, however a family interview is part of the process and will take place before acceptance.
Do you accept children with special needs?
Unfortunately, not yet, we are actively expanding our educational capabilities to be able to accommodate special needs in the future.
What is the tuition cost?
Tuition is $1,400 per month. We offer a 5% discount if the full tuition is paid at the beginning of the year. Tuition is billed over nine months, combining August and December into a single month to account for these being shorter months in our school calendar.
Are scholarships available?
At this time, scholarships are not yet available. However, as we grow, it is our goal to provide scholarship opportunities to ensure more families can access a beneficial education.
Do parents need to notify their district or the state if they enroll their child in The Meraki School? Parents are required to notify their district and must provide a legitimate curriculum but are not required to submit any forms or reports to the state.
Curriculum and Learning
What curricula do you use?
Our curriculum is a blend of high-quality programs selected based on in-depth reviews from sources like EdReports.com. For detailed information, including the specific curricula we use, please visit our Academics page.
How do you handle standardized testing?
We administer assessments to monitor growth, but our primary focus is on personal learning and fostering individual development rather than placing emphasis on standardized tests.
What extracurricular activities do you offer?
We are currently exploring options for extracurricular activities and hope to provide this one day.
Do you offer gifted and talented programs?
Our individualized learning plans allow gifted students to advance at their own pace.
What is The Meraki School’s stance on behavior management?
At The Meraki School, we prioritize each student’s emotional and social wellbeing by creating a supportive, nurturing environment where they feel valued and understood. Our approach involves educating students on recognizing and identifying their emotions. We also implement a positive reinforcement system to encourage behaviors that contribute to a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment. This approach ensures that every student feels empowered to make positive choices.
School Operations
What are your school hours?
Our school day runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30am-1:00pm with Wednesdays available for tutoring hours from 12pm-3pm. Ms. Ariana may request a student she feels needs help in a subject area during these Wednesday tutoring hours.
What school schedule do you follow? We follow the local school district, Carroll Independent School District. https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/school-information/calendar
Do you offer before- and after-school care?
No, we do not offer before and after school care at this time.
Where is the school located?
We are located in a home in Southlake, Texas.
Is transportation available?
We currently do not offer transportation. Parents are responsible for drop-off and pick-up.
What do meal breaks and meal times look like? Our school day incorporates one 15 minute break and one 25 minute break. During these times, students can enjoy their snacks and meals. Our facility is equipped with a fridge and microwave to keep food fresh and heat up meals. Parents are responsible for packing their child’s food.
Parent Involvement
How can parents get involved?
Parents are always welcome to volunteer in classrooms or help with planning school events! We hope to hold community events where parents get to know one another and students can deepen relationships outside of the classroom.
Do you have parent-teacher conferences?
Yes, we hold conferences twice a year and by necessity to discuss student progress.
Technology and Resources
What role does technology play in your school?
At The Meraki School, we prioritize hands-on, screen-free learning to foster deeper engagement and personal connections with the material. While we rarely use screens in the classroom, we do incorporate technology in specific instances, such as educational videos or PowerPoint presentations to support lessons. For homework, we utilize the IXL platform to help students develop their skills and become familiar with digital tools. As students progress into the upper grades, we plan to integrate more digital resources, including coding programs, to equip them with essential skills for the workforce.
What is your student-to-teacher ratio?
Our ratio is no greater than 1:8, ensuring individualized attention.
Health and Safety
What are your safety protocols?
We prioritize student safety by implementing several key protocols, including secure doors with passcode access, security cameras throughout the facility, regular emergency drills, and thorough background checks for all staff members. These measures are in place to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for every student.
What is your illness policy?
Students who are sick should remain home. Your child must be 24 hours free of fever without Tylenol or Advil and not throwing up for 24 hours before they return to school. We will provide work upon request to help students stay on track. Wednesday tutoring hours may also be utilized to help students get caught up.
How do we verify the teachers we get are of the highest quality?
We ensure our teachers hold valid teaching certifications and align with the vision of The Meraki School. We are committed to teaching methods backed by the latest research and prioritize hiring educators who are knowledgeable about the best practices in education. Additionally, we provide professional development tools and resources to ensure our staff has ongoing opportunities to learn and grow in their practice. We also offer competitive compensation to support job satisfaction and long-term success.
Future Plans
Do you plan to expand grade levels or programs?
Yes, we aim to grow based on the needs of our students and community.
How can I provide feedback or suggestions?
Feedback is always welcomed via email @TheMerakiSchool@gmail.com