The Learner-Centered Microschool Accelerator—April 26-28, 2025
A 3-day immersive experience in Trilith—south of Atlanta, GA—to launch your learner-driven microschool with confidence, clarity, and community.
Because your microschool deserves more than a theory
Why this Accelerator?
Designed for new and existing microschools, this Accelerator brings together The Forest School’s real world experience, the Institute for Self-Directed Learning’s research and expertise, proven business principles and theories, and two courses originally created at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education—all of which have been adapted to provide a hands-on, real-world approach to launching a learner-centered microschool.
Limited Spots Available – Small Cohort for Maximum Impact
What Makes This Program Unique?
Learner-Centered Focus
Every microschool built from this program will be rooted in student agency, curiosity, and self-directed learning.
Hosted at a Thriving Microschool
Experience The Forest School: An Acton Academy, a successful, learner-driven school with 162 diverse learners, sports programs, clubs, and a robust waiting pool, giving you an authentic window into a fully operational learner-centered microschool.
Unparalleled Access to Expertise
The experience is facilitated by Dr. Tyler Thigpen, Penn and Harvard instructor, co-founder of The Forest School: An Acton Academy, and co-author of The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning, joined by members of his team, giving participants direct, unfettered access to experienced leaders.
A Personalized School Blueprint
Over three immersive days, participants will design, iterate, and refine their microschool blueprint with expert coaching and peer feedback.
Financial & Business Sustainability Training
Go beyond admissions and marketing to explore alternative funding models, hybrid approaches, and long-term financial strategy.
Culmination Pitch Event
Present your microschool blueprint to a panel of education leaders and families to gain valuable feedback and potential support.
Exclusive Access to Resources & Curriculum
Gain access to the Story Arts archive and sample projects—all made by Forest staff—across age levels to jumpstart your program.
Choose Your Own Adventure Learning
Tailor the experience to your needs by selecting a major and minor in:
Business & Operations
Pedagogy & Instructional Design
Community Engagement & Marketing.
1-Hour Pre-Event Coaching Call
Before the program begins, you'll have a one-on-one coaching call to help clarify your vision and get the most out of the Accelerator.
Real World Learning
Observe The Forest School: An Acton Academy in action, shadow microschool leaders and educators, and engage in authentic conversations with students and parents.
Exclusive Access & Experiences
Includes…
a behind-the-scenes tour of Trilith Studios,
access to award-winning restaurants, and an
optional boutique hotel stay.
1-Hour Post-Event Coaching Call
After the Accelerator, receive personalized follow-up coaching to refine next steps and gain additional guidance on execution.
Program Format
Nestled in the heart of Trilith, Georgia, a visionary community designed for storytellers, creators, and entrepreneurs in south Atlanta, this accelerator offers an immersive learning experience in an environment that fosters innovation. Just 25 minutes from Atlanta’s international airport, Trilith is home to world-class film studios, the headquarters of US Soccer, inspiring public spaces, and a thriving ecosystem of forward-thinking educators and makers—an ideal backdrop for building your learner-centered microschool.
Duration: 3 Days (In-Person)
Final Event: Blueprint Pitch to a Panel of Experts
Location
6-12 Months of Personalized Coaching – Ongoing support and expert check-ins to help execute your microschool plan.
Microschool Incubator Experience – Prototype your school concept with real learners before launching.
Certificate of Completion – Earn a certificate from the Institute for Self Directed Learning, validating your training and expertise.
Accreditation from the Institute for Self Directed Learning – Opt for formal accreditation, signaling that your microschool meets rigorous learner-centered education standards.
Optional Add-Ons
Josh Fallin, Founder of Telos Microschool:
"The Institute for Self Directed Learning offered me the framework and guidance to build the foundational building blocks of my new school. The sessions with Tyler, Caleb, and other cohort members were invaluable. The resources, encouragement, and insights they shared were the perfect recipe to keep driving forward in the huge task of starting an innovative school."
Isiah King, Founder of Re-Imagined Education:
"This experience from the Institute for Self Directed Learning served as a great tool in providing thought-provoking resources to create and design a school in my community. The facilitators and my cohort group motivated me to be creative and thoughtful in my design."
Testimonies
Schedule
Note:
The schedule below may adjust based on participants' selected "major" and "minor" focus areas to ensure the experience is tailored to their learning needs. Our goal is to provide a deeply personalized and impactful accelerator, and we will adapt sessions accordingly to maximize relevance, engagement, and real-world application for each participant.
Pre-Work Requirement:
Before arriving, all participants must:
✅ Complete the Blueprint Course in our online Academy.
✅ Bring a Version 1.0 Draft of Your School Blueprint – This will serve as the foundation for refinement, feedback, and iteration during the Accelerator.
📍 Day 1: Saturday – Arrival, Connection & Vision Setting
Afternoon:
3:00 – 4:30 PM | Arrival & Check-in
Settle into accommodations (optional boutique hotel stay)
Light refreshments & networking
4:30 – 5:15 PM | Welcome & Program Kickoff
Meet Dr. Tyler Thigpen & members of the team
Participant intros & personal goal setting
Overview of the weekend’s structure & outcomes
5:15 – 6:15 PM | The Future of Learner-Centered Education
Fireside-style conversation: Why learner-driven microschools are the future
Realities of launching & sustaining a thriving school
Open Q&A with experienced microschool founders
6:30 – 8:30 PM | Group Dinner at a Top Trilith Restaurant
Theme: Your Microschool’s "Why" – Reflect & share
Casual conversations with fellow founders, Guides, and educational entrepreneurs
📍 Day 2: Sunday – Blueprint Creation & Pitch Competition
🚀 An intensive day of learning, designing, and refining your microschool vision
Morning:
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Light Breakfast & Guided Discussion
Refining Your Blueprint – Where are you now? What’s missing?
Peer discussions & sharing v1.0 drafts
9:00 – 10:30 AM | Microschool Foundations (Choose Your Pathway)
Business & Operations Track: Tuition models, ESAs, microgrants, & financial sustainability
Pedagogy Track: Building a learner-driven culture, curriculum design & assessment
Community Engagement Track: Marketing, admissions, and parent partnerships
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break
10:45 – 12:00 PM | Refining Your Microschool Blueprint
Iteration session: Strengthening your vision, model, and roadmap
Peer & Guide feedback loops
Lunch On Your Own (12:00 – 1:00 PM) 🍽️
Afternoon:
1:00 – 2:30 PM | Bringing It to Life: Logistics, Funding & Realities
Startup costs, budgeting, operations
Choosing a location & structuring the school day
Shadowing & mentorship opportunities with experienced founders
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Break & Reflection Walk
3:00 – 5:00 PM | Pitch Prep & Feedback Rounds
Finalizing microschool blueprints
Small-group coaching & rapid iteration rounds
🚀 Evening:
5:00 – 6:30 PM | Pitch Competition
Participants present their microschool blueprints to a panel of:
Education leaders
Investors
Experienced microschool founders
Real-time feedback & potential funding opportunities
7:00 PM | Celebration Dinner 🎉
Wrap-up reflections, networking, and celebrating the hard work
📍 Day 3: Monday – Live Observation & Sense-Making
🚀 See a thriving microschool in action, reflect, and make sense of your own next steps.
Morning (During Live School Hours):
7:45 – 8:30 AM | Light Breakfast & Observational Frameworks
What to look for during the school visit
Live school walkthrough orientation
8:45 – 11:00 AM | Live Observation at The Forest School
Observe learners and Guides in action
Take notes, ask questions, and reflect on how it connects to your own school vision
11:00 – 12:00 PM | Student & Parent Roundtable
Unfiltered conversations with Forest School students & parents
Insights on what makes learner-driven education work
Lunch Break (12:00 – 1:00 PM)
Afternoon:
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Debrief & Sense-Making
Guided discussion: What did you learn? What surprised you?
How to apply these insights to your own school model
2:00 – 3:00 PM | Closing & Next Steps
Reflections & final commitments
How to stay connected (alumni network, mentorship, ongoing coaching options)
Goodbye & departure
Cost & Payment Structure
📌 Total Cost: $4,500 (or $4,000 if early-bird by March 21)
Deposit: $1,500 non-refundable to secure a spot
Remaining Balance: Split into 2 or 3 payments
National Microschooling Center Member Discount: Members of the National Microschooling Center receive a $150 discount, reducing the total cost to $4,350 (or $3,850 for early-bird registration).
Cost
Participants can choose a 2- or 3-payment plan. The standard plan totals $4,500, with a $1,500 deposit at registration. The 2-payment option includes a $3,000 installment 30 days later, while the 3-payment plan splits the remaining amount into two $1,500 installments.
An early-bird discount lowers the total to $4,000 for those registering 30+ days in advance. In this case, the 2-payment plan includes a $2,500 installment, while the 3-payment plan has two $1,250 installments.
Payment Options
Final payment must be completed at least 7 days before the event starts.
Payments (other than deposit) are non-refundable but transferable (to a future cohort or another participant).
A 3.5% processing fee applies to credit card payments.
Deadlines & Policies
Convince Your Community
We know that launching and growing a learner-centered microschool is a major commitment—one that requires vision, strategy, and strong foundational support. To help, we’ve drafted this letter to communicate the value of attending the Learner-Centered Microschool Accelerator and why it’s a worthy investment for both new and growing microschools. Founders and leaders can also share (a version of) this letter with invested parents and school partners as a way to raise funds for this transformative experience.
