Learning Outside the Box: Education options to fit your family

As families seek more flexible approaches to educating their kids, alternatives to traditional schooling have become more popular. From modernday homeschooling to worldschooling, these options offer tailored experiences that prioritize a child’s learning style, pace and special interests. Alternatives to traditional classrooms can also offer individualized attention, emotional support and access to more hands-on learning experiences. By opting for an alternative learning approach, a family can foster their child’s creativity and curiosity by adapting their education format to better fit their lifestyle and values, exactly how they see fit. Here is a variety of education options to fit your family, some of which fall under the homeschooling umbrella.

Charter Schools

Cost: Free

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate independently from a traditional school district, but are required to follow state laws and academic standards. More flexibility often means more innovative teaching methods. Programs may be in person, virtual or hybrid.

Charter schools offer a level of personalization that benefits all students. Instead of cutting enrichment experiences like art, music, physical education, and project-based learning, charter schools often embrace and prioritize these opportunities, helping students develop holistically—not just academically. ~Stacy Maxon, parent

Clairemont Mesa parent Stacy Maxon chose to enroll her child in a charter school because she wanted a more individualized program to fit her son’s unique learning style. “My child’s favorite thing is being involved in the planning of his learning,” says Maxon. “It allows him to feel empowered and excited about his education, and helps me know what he’s interested in.”

According to Maxon, charter school educators focus on the whole child (not just test scores), creating an environment where students can thrive.

Microschools

Cost: Varies

When the pandemic hit, Marisa Donnelly of Bay Park didn’t want her stepson to miss out on a formal education, so she opened a microschool called Miss Donnelly’s Daily Apple, which served teens at the time, but now serves students in grades K–5. Microschools are small learning environments with a studentteacher ratio of no more than 12:1. They typically provide necessary curriculum and offer frequent field trips and activities.

“Microschooling focuses on multisensory and hands-on support for students with learning disabilities, individualization of curriculum… and meaningful relationships,” says Donnelly. “As I align programming with state standards, I have the freedom to explore different ways of teaching (kinesthetic, visual, etc.) that help students engage in their own ways.” To learn more, visit www.donnellydailyapple.com/ san-diego-microschool or @ donnellydailyapple.

Because my microschool is small, I get to know each of my students and provide instruction that meets them where they are. I can shift learning when something isn’t working.

~Marisa Donnelly, educator at Miss Donnelly’s Daily Apple in Bay Park

Forest Schools

Cost: Varies

Forest school, which takes place in a natural outdoor environment (usually a forest or wooded area), uses the Reggio Emilio Approach to learning and includes activities guided by the interests and curiosity of the students, rather than a fixed curriculum. It is a nature-based program.

We build shelters, climb trees, identify plants and animals, and forage for natural items to create tasty beverages and snacks. We bring journals and fill them with thoughts, pictures, dictations and anything else that inspires us. ~Nikki Brill, educator at Waves and Woodlands Forest School in Encinitas

Nikki Brill of San Marcos was the lead kindergarten teacher for five years at a popular forest school before cofounding Waves and Woodlands with

“We do literacy lessons in between explorations, and can pivot when needed,” Brill says. “If students have a lot of energy, we focus on the trails, if students are interested in a particular subject matter, we spend more time exploring that.” program, but includes writing, reading and math. Forest schools typically serve pre-K through first grade, but teachers move up with students year after year, so they would be serving older kids within a couple years.

Brill believes forest schools are important for not only physical health, but also building social skills through teamwork and collaboration, assessing and managing risks, and fostering confidence and emotional resilience. Waves and Woodlands (which also has a location in the Vista area) is currently accepting enrollment for ages 3 through first grade. School starts Sept. 2 and runs through June. Learn more on IG @ waves_and_woodlands.

Learning Pods

Cost: Varies (some free)

A learning pod is a small group (3–10 students in the same grade) that meets consistently to supplement an online or homeschool program, offer tutoring, or even replace traditional schooling if state standards are met. They vary in structure and can be taught by a parent,

immersing themselves in games that naturally teach these skills,” she says. Find her on IG @diceanddiscover.

Private Schools

Cost: Varies

According to the San Diego Consortium of Independent and Private Schools, accredited private schools offer an academically rich learning environment that encourages innovation. Unlike public schools, they are governed by their own board of trustees and are self-funded by tuition, philanthropic contributions and endowment funding.

Some private schools offer religious education, arts-focused programs, rigorous academics or unique teaching philosophies. Depending on enrollment and class sizes, students may have more freedom for creativity and personalized learning.

When my child attended private school, I appreciated the focus on kids having breaks to move around and play. It’s really important in helping develop a love of learning. I also liked the small class sizes, two full-time teachers in each classroom, and that the class had students ages 5–7. ~Amanda D., parent in Downtown San Diego

To explore educational alternatives in San Diego, start by searching local Facebook groups in the topic you’re interested. Once you’ve joined a group, seasoned parents can offer insightful information. v

For unadulterated information and raw conversations about homeschooling, check out the podcast “Homeschool Moms Unfiltered.” Amanda D. of San Diego speaks as an aggressive academic homeschooler with her co-host Meagan, a parent who practices unschooling (an educational philosophy that follows a child’s curiosity and learning preferences).

Amanda Cavallari is a lifestyle writer residing in San Diego.