In Gulfport, Mississippi, the concept of microschools—once rare—has rapidly expanded. Since 2020, nearly 50 of these small-scale educational programs have launched statewide. As the Legislature considers broadening public funding for nontraditional schooling options, both excitement and caution fill the debate.
What Are Microschools — And Why the Surge?
Diverse Models
Microschools take multiple forms: some act as centralized homeschool networks, while others function as nonpublic schools with a concentrated mission. One example is Gulf Coast Education Solutions in Gulfport, which emphasizes highly tailored instruction.
The Legislative Backdrop
The uptick in microschools coincides with renewed interest in school choice at the Capitol. Proponents believe these schools offer hope to families seeking personalized education; opponents worry about diverting funds from public schools and creating fiscal strain.
A Day in a Gulfport Microschool
Structure & Philosophy
At Gulf Coast Education Solutions, the schedule centers on small-group learning and one-on-one check-ins. Founder Angel Jones explains this setup is meant to rescue students who lag in larger, more conventional settings.
“Our mission is to provide an alternative,” Jones remarks. “Many of our students have tried public or private systems and simply need something much more individualized.”
Student Demographics & Curriculum
The school enrolls about 20 students between ages 6 and 18. Sixteen of them have disabilities or special education needs. Because the school is unaccredited, its three certified teachers—trained in dyslexia remediation—adapt lessons in reading, math, science, history, and language to each child’s needs.
Assessment & Feedback
Progress is monitored via formal assessments and report cards—but Jones emphasizes that parental feedback often provides the clearest measure of success.
Families Seek Better Options
Empowering Parents
Jones insists, “Parents know their children best—they understand what methods succeed or fail. Their input is invaluable in crafting tailored plans.”
Stories of Transformation
One parent, Judy Cowart, turned to the microschool after her daughter was diagnosed with autism, cognitive impairment, and dyslexia:
“Public school did not treat us well… once she enrolled here, she began to thrive.”
Fifteen-year-old Abigail highlights the difference:
“In public school you don’t really learn much. Here, everything clicks—everyone lifts each other up.”
Another parent, Brittany Buchanan, credits the school’s therapy clinic with helping transition her children into the classroom:
“My daughter is eager to go to school now. That’s huge. I couldn’t have done this on my own—especially with more than one child.”
The Funding & Policy Debate
Current Support & Possible Expansion
Currently, families use Educator Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)—available to students with active Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in public schools—to pay for microschools like Gulf Coast Education Solutions.
Legislators are now considering widening ESA eligibility and loosening restrictions so more families can tap into these alternatives.
Legislative Hurdles
Two proposals failed in the previous session: one that would let students from D- and F-rated districts use public funds at other schools, and another to expand ESAs for students with special needs.
House Education Committee Chair Rob Roberson says lawmakers want choice but also caution:
“We must balance freedom with oversight. Let public, private, and specialty schools compete for what’s best for children.”
He notes, however, that immediate, broad expansion is financially daunting:
“To open this to the masses would require at least an extra $300 million just to cover those already in private schools.”
During a Sept. 25 committee hearing, proponents argued that school choice provides greater freedom for families in struggling districts, while opponents warned it may drain resources from public schools and create inequality.
Lessons from Other States
Kim Wiley, an education policy expert with the Mississippi Center for Justice, cautioned against hasty expansion, pointing to Arizona’s experience of rapid ESA growth, budget shortfalls, and misuse of funds. She urged that any expansion include testing, reporting, and fiscal standards.
Conversely, Erika Donalds, a school-choice advocate, hailed Florida’s ESA model as a force that improved public schools—citing the state’s requirement for standardized testing as vital to accountability.
Establishing Accountability & Standards
Under the current Mississippi ESA program, participating schools must provide assessment results. Roberson says future legislation must include checks to safeguard students and public funds, though lawmakers are still debating the details.
“We can’t have zero oversight, but we also shouldn’t handcuff parents or students,” he contends.
Roberson anticipates that parents will play a central role in school accountability in any expanded school-choice framework.
While Jones supports periodic assessments of student growth, she argues that her microschool should first and foremost answer to families—not solely to state regulators:
“If I can demonstrate progress and answer to parents, I don’t need state approval on everything.”
As legislators prepare to craft new policy, Roberson says proposed House bills will aim to expand parental decision-making, with microschools among the available options:
“Some children thrive in this model. If we truly center around each child’s needs, microschools have to be a part of the solution.”
Conclusion
Microschools in Mississippi are rising in number as families and policymakers explore alternatives to conventional education. While the promise of personalized learning and school choice is compelling, the debate hinges on how to expand public funding responsibly, impose accountability, and preserve resources for traditional public schools. As new legislation takes shape, the challenge will be crafting rules that maintain flexibility without sacrificing oversight—and ensuring that microschools positively coexist with, rather than detract from, the broader public-education system.
FAQs
What exactly is a microschool?
A microschool is a small-scale educational model that typically offers a more personalized, flexible learning environment. It may operate as a centralized homeschool network or as a nonpublic school with a focused mission.
How many microschools exist in Mississippi currently?
Since 2020, approximately 50 microschools have opened across the state.
Will all microschools receive public funding if new legislation passes?
Not necessarily. Legislative proposals are considering eligibility criteria and accountability standards. Only those microschools that meet designated benchmarks—such as assessments, reporting, and fiscal safeguards—would likely qualify for public funding under expanded programs.
