Longleaf Information (1)

Partnership Information

Tahira Copland, Founder tcopland@longleaflearningstudio.org 917-584-8648

Table of Contents What is a Microschool?

Our Mission & Vision How We Differ Founder’s Message How it Works

2

What is a Microschool?

A microschool offers a modern and reimagined take on education—small, personalized, and community-driven. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for many students, microschools are designed to meet learners' diverse needs and provide a flexible, highly tailored educational experience. They are founded by passionate educators, parents, and community leaders who bring their unique vision to life.

Longleaf Learning Studio will limit enrollment to 20 students in its first year, 2027-2028.

Personalized Learning

Fosters Independence

With small class sizes, microschools can adapt to student needs, strengths, and interests to ensure learning is truly customized to the strengths and passions of each learner.

With learner-driven, outcome focused, and experiential learning, microschools foster the creativity, critical thinking, and independence.

Focus on Community Enjoying a close-knit environment fosters meaningful long-term relationships between students, families, and educators.

Microschools Offer Unique Features For instance, as a Changemaker Education Partner Microschool we integrate their transformative Mind-Body-Soul (MBS) Curriculum, nurturing social-emotional growth for students and our staff.

In addition, each Microschool may have a different academic focus.

Note: Our unique academic focus is project-based learning for young adolescents, approximately ages 10-13

Connect with us today and discover how Longleaf Learning Studio will transform the educational journey for families!

info@longleaflearningstudio.org

3

Our Mission & Vision restoring humanity and joy in education Mission Longleaf Learning Studio provides project-based, relationshipcentered learning experiences that nurture curiosity, leadership, and whole-child development for pre-high school adolescents, approximately ages 10-13.

Vision We envision a future where young people grow into confident, compassionate, and capable learners who are deeply connected to their communities and their purpose.

4

Compliance & Conformity Students follow rules and routines with little freedom.

One-size-fits-all Learning Everyone learns the same things and moves at the same pace.

Separation of Mind, Body, Soul Academics are separate from wellness and joy.

Curiosity & Creativity Students explore their interests, solve real problems, and create with purpose.

Personalized Learning Each student learns in ways that honor their strengths, interests, and pace.

Whole-Person Growth We nurture the Mind, Body, and Soul for selfawareness, wellness, and joy.

Adults as Authority

Adults as Mentors and Partners

Teachers deliver knowledge while students passively receive.

Teachers coach, listen, and learn with students, offering shared ownership.

Fixed Curriculum

Experiential, inquiry-Driven

Learning is driven by standards and testing, not engagment & curiosity..

Learners investigate, build, reflect on meaningful real-world challenges.

Competition & Comparison

Community & Collaboration

Success is individual and measured against others.

Preparing for the Test Achievement means good grades and following direction.

Students belong, contribute, and grow together.

Preparing for Life Success defined by meaning, confidence, resilience, and contribution.

5

Founder’s Message Dear Potential Partner,

I am passionate about creating transformative learning experiences that empower students to reach their full potential. At Longleaf Learning Studio, we will provide gentle, individualized preparation for the high school experience that meets our students where they are and takes them where they need to be.

Longleaf Learning Studio will foster active, intentional cognitive work in a small community setting. Guided by attentive professional educators, our students will engage with concepts rather than feeding them into generative AI. AI doesn’t serve humanity well when used without a base of knowledge, skills, & understanding.

I deeply believe in the power of education to change lives and dedicate my work to improving the academic, cognitive, social-emotional, and life outcomes of today’s youth. I invite you to learn more about how we inspire a community of lifelong learners who make positive contributions to society.

Yours Truly,

Tahira Copland

6

How It Works Early adolescents are curious, opinionated, observant, sometimes silly, sometimes profound individuals. Now is the perfect time to build the knowledge and life skills that they can carry into their future.

Collaboration We collaborate with families toward realizing their individual goals for their children.

Community We meet students where they are. We keep our community small and close to meet different academic and socio-emotional needs

Creativity We make learning active, relevant, and human. Our students solve real problems, create meaningful projects, collaborate with others, and apply what they learn in meaningful ways.

Young adolescents are not small high schoolers.

They have different mental, physical, and emotional needs.

We Offer: Project-Based Learning Reading-based homework - no computers required, no worksheets Break times and movement every day Interest-driven Workshops (life skills, entrepreneurship, sports, visual & performing arts, and more) Community explorations 7