With concerns about how well their kids are (or aren’t) doing in school, parents are increasingly turning to alternative schooling options. Along with a growing focus on kids' mental health in school, reports of kids falling behind continue to make headlines.
Noah's journey at KaiPod reflects many of the challenges parents face in navigating their child's academic needs. Initially enrolled in a traditional school in the Orlando area, Noah's struggles with reading went unnoticed until his parents transitioned to homeschooling during the pandemic.
While Noah enjoyed doing school at home, his parents, both working full-time, found it challenging to provide him with the necessary support and guidance – and started looking for an option that offered both academic support and flexibility.
Flexibility Increases Family Involvement and Options
At KaiPod, Noah's parents quickly realized that a smaller learning environment made it easier for them to stay connected and informed about his academic progress.
His mom Lindsay says, "Even though he loved homeschooling, we struggled to provide the support he needed while working full-time. KaiPod is the perfect balance of academic support and flexibility for us." Since Lindsay often travels to the neighboring community of Horizon West for work, flexibility is key. Attending KaiPod two days a week not only accommodates his family’s busy schedule, but also allows him to participate in other part-time school activities and enrichment programs in the Orlando area.
When it comes to academics, Noah and his family can choose what he wants to focus on each week, with support from his Learning Coaches when he gets stuck on a lesson. He also loves playing games, walking to the park down the street, and visiting the library next door with his friends. Having unstructured time to have fun and be kids together is a great motivator to help him focus during academic time.
Student-Centered Learning Doesn't Need to Be Complicated
From test performance to IEPs, parents often feel burdened by the complexities of the education system. Microschools and small group learning environments like KaiPod allow parents to be more involved and informed in decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
Whether a student is struggling, gifted, or lacking motivation, there is no replacement for 1:1 guidance in an academic setting. Combined with self-paced learning, this level of support empowers both parents and students, allowing kids to get back on track or get ahead – without comparing them to the rest of the class.
As microschools and hybrid school options continue to gain popularity in Central Florida and beyond, families can choose from part-time or full-time enrollment, traditional or online curriculum, and personalized learning approaches that no longer assume every kid has to learn the same way.
