FAQ

A microschool is a small, personalized learning environment, where class sizes are significantly smaller than traditional schools, allowing for individualized instruction and a flexible curriculum tailored to each student's needs.

Microschools have grown in popularity across America in the last decade.  They tend to be grassroots organizations and are founded by parents and educators who have identified a learning need and/or educational services gap in educational opportunities in their community.  Each microschool is unique in their educational philosophy, school culture, schedules, and student populations.  Microschools typically serve 15-30 multi-age children, though some larger established schools educate up to 150 children in small groupings.

Heart Learning Collective is a microschool co-founded by two White Bear Lake residents and teachers.  Our teaching approach ensures that art, imagination, and creativity remain integral to the learning process. We aim to foster a close-knit community where relationships are built through project-based learning and small-group collaboration.

Heart Learning Collective supports learners from kindergarten through fifth grade.

As part of our application process, prospective families and students will have the opportunity to participate in an interview.  This gives us the chance to get to know you better!  We want to learn about what you like to do, how you think, and what makes you excited to learn. It’s not a test, so don’t worry!  This is also a chance for you to interview us!

Students who excel in a small, multi-age classroom are typically independent learners who are curious about the world around them.  They thrive when given the time and space to explore topics that interest them, working collaboratively with peers or by themselves.  They are bright, creative, and playful.  They are students who love movement, trying new things, and are not afraid to make mistakes or work through questions they may have.  They love seeing their learning connected to real-life experiences.

Heart Learning Collective is small on purpose.  Utilizing a blended classroom approach, students are taught 1-on-1 or in a small group with a teacher before continuing their learning through play and child-centered activities.  Being small allows the teacher to differentiate instruction in a more effective way than in a traditional classroom.  This approach allows students to move faster or slower through the curriculum with the guide of master teacher.  This is also why we will work within large blocks of time, rather than a strict subject-to-subject schedule.  This allows students to engage with the material through a complete learning cycle, and to immerse themself in content they enjoy.  There is more freedom to work at a pace that fits the child, and more time for teachers to guide and observe each student.  Play and exploration is seen as part of the curriculum, not in opposition to it.

Yes!  Heart Learning Collective is a 5-day program that operates from 9am-3pm.  We provide a combination of direct-instruction, project-based learning, and small group instruction tailored to meet the needs of each learner.

At this time, we are in the process of designing and selecting the curriculum that best aligns with our values and the individual needs of our students. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, we prioritize flexibility, exploration, and personalized learning. We are focused on curating a combination of high-quality resources that foster critical thinking, creativity, and a love of learning.

While we finalize our curriculum, our teaching methods are centered around student-driven inquiry, project-based learning, and experiential activities. We believe in creating a dynamic and responsive learning environment, where the curriculum evolves based on student interests, developmental progress, and feedback from our school community.

As we move forward, we will keep families informed and involved in the curriculum selection process to ensure it reflects both our educational philosophy and the unique needs of our students.

Heart Learning Collective membership fees are $13,500 for the year, with a one-time $500 deposit due with enrollment to be deducted from your annual fee.  Payment plans and multi-learner discounts are available.

Heart Learning Collective provides a personalized educational setting for your child.  The multi-age "one-room schoolhouse" setting allows for student-teacher ratios ranging from 1-to-1 instruction to 15-to-1 group activities.  Students learn at their own developmental rate and learn in fluid groups that are determined by mastery, not standardized age-based grades.  Students will have time each day to play and explore without being constricted to rigid schedules or curriculum.  Children will have choice and responsibility for their learning, which develops executive functioning skills.

We are proud participants of the KaiPod Learning Catalyst program.

Please reach out!  We're happy to help!