National microschooling center is working with over 1,000 microschoolers in 49 states.
The RAND Corporation estimated in 2024 that somewhere between 750,000 and 2.1 million American students use microschools— innovative small learning environments typically established outside of traditional public education systems—as their main schooling provider.
The National Microschooling Center (NMC) is a resource hub and movement-builder committed to advancing the microschooling movement and helping members reach their fullest potential.
Cofounded by husband-wife team Don and Ashley Soifer, NMC offers microschools a variety of services, consultations, and trainings. Now working with over 1,000 microschools in forty-nine states, the Soifers and their colleagues find the needs of microschool founders and leaders are vast and diverse, so NMC offers networking, free trainings, and access to resources such as roadmaps to success and discounted learning licenses.
NMC supports all models of schools: faith-, nature-, project-based, and others. They also help officials understand state policies which can best support microschools. In fact, Don Soifer has testified before several state legislatures in support of legal frameworks for microschools. NMC also collaborates with other Bradley Impact Fund grant recipients, including EdChoice, the State Policy Network, and the Virginia Institute for Public Policy’s Education Opportunity Alliance.
Microschooling provider networks are growing fast, and so is the demand for clarity, connection, and support. NMC is seeing increased requests for recommendations, insights, and strategic guidance. While much of this work is done directly with partners, NMC also publishes research and thought leadership in prominent national publications and presents on microschooling at such venues as Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, local chambers of commerce, and numerous other community organizations across the country.
Seventy tutors were engaged in RLC’s mission during 2024, and those volunteers helped teach 446 people.
The Racine Literacy Council views “literacy” as just about any skill or knowledge a person needs to navigate today’s world. It’s not only about reading and writing but also includes the know-how to get a driver’s license, participate as a citizen in a community, speak and understand a language, use a computer, or keep a budget.
As champions of learning in one of Wisconsin’s poorest counties, RLC knows well the challenge of multigenerational illiteracy. Racine Unified School District (RUSD) students consistently place below peers in third-through tenth-grade standardized testing.
Racine Literacy Council’s mission is to help Racine County residents attain their full potential and be engaged citizens. RLC walks alongside anyone who seeks to improve their own literacy beyond the traditional definition of the ability to read and write—including those who seek to qualify for better job opportunities, enhance their children’s education, learn a language, prepare for driving tests, and improve financial management or technical literacy. Seventy tutors were engaged in RLC’s mission during 2024, and those volunteers helped teach 446 people.
To address the persistent challenge of intergenerational illiteracy, RLC launched a Family Literacy Program that provides individualized support for parents and their children. These weekly, two-hour sessions begin with a fun family activity. Parents and children then divide up to work separately. Parents hear about and discuss a topic of their choosing to support literacy. Children also have a group activity, according to age and development, and then work with tutors.
After years of successfully cultivating partnerships with the City of Racine and local employers, RLC now hosts a digital literacy program and Job Junction, an event for job seekers to identify skills, learn about educational opportunities, create a resume, practice interviewing, and search for job opportunities with help from mentors.