If you’ve watched your child struggle in a traditional classroom, feeling unseen and stifled by rigid schedules and one-size-fits-all approaches, you’re not imagining it. You’ve probably wondered whether there’s a better way—one that actually respects how your child learns best. That instinct is right. Across Chicago, families are discovering alternatives that put children’s natural curiosity back at the center of education.
Microschools Gain Ground in Chicago
In an Irving Park bungalow, children race barefoot through dining rooms, play Dungeons & Dragons, and explore picture books sprawled on hardwood floors. This isn’t a playground—it’s Blazing Star School, a microschool where nearly two dozen students ages 4 to 14 learn without desks, tests, or a fixed curriculum. Teacher Claire Jakubiszyn, a former charter school arts teacher, facilitates child-led learning where children explore what interests them.
“Children aren’t standard, right? Education shouldn’t be standard,” Jakubiszyn said. “Different kids are going to need different things.”
More families are ditching traditional classrooms for microschools. Here's what's driving the fastest-growing education movement in America—and why parents are empowered to choose.
Homeschooling Becomes Fastest-Growing Education Option
The model is gaining traction nationwide. Homeschooling is now the fastest-growing form of education in the U.S., rising by about 5% last school year—nearly triple the pre-pandemic growth rate, according to the Homeschool Research Lab at Johns Hopkins University. In Chicago, enrollment in Chicago Public Schools has fallen from 75% to 71% of the city’s school-aged children from 2018 to 2023, with families increasingly seeking alternatives.
“Homeschooling is not only holding its own, which is a win when everyone else is going down, but it’s actually increasing,” said Angela Watson, assistant professor and director of the Homeschool Research Lab at Johns Hopkins. “We saw huge increases during the pandemic. Everyone thought it would go back to normal. It didn’t.”
Quote: Children aren’t standard, right? Education shouldn’t be standard. Different kids are going to need different things. Attribution: Claire Jakubiszyn, Founder, Blazing Star School
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Families Seek Personalized Approaches
Safety concerns drive some families to homeschooling, but “safety” means different things—from shielding children from certain viewpoints to protecting them from bullying. About 40% of families who homeschool have a child with specific learning needs, according to Watson. Many families report that traditional schools simply weren’t aligning with their children’s unique learning profiles.
“It does seem to act as an exit ramp for a lot of people, where the traditional schools, whether public or private, aren’t really aligning with their needs or their points of view,” Watson said. “People are exiting on both ends of the spectrum.”
At WeSchool Academy in South Holland, founder Aziza Butler runs a faith-based homeschool co-op with about 20 students, including her six children. “I always say, I feel like I’m Harriet Tubman for homeschooling,” Butler said. “Free the kids. Let them thrive.”
Key takeaways
- Microschool Growth: Chicago microschools like Blazing Star serve ~20-25 students ages 4-14 with child-led learning, no desks or tests.
- Homeschooling Surge: Homeschooling rose 5% last year—nearly triple the pre-pandemic rate, now the fastest-growing U.S. education form.
- Family Choice: About 40% of homeschooling families have children with specific learning needs, seeking personalized approaches.
What This Means for Families
The growth of microschools and homeschooling reflects a broader shift in how families view education. Modern homeschooling has evolved from a largely religious, rural demographic to a more diverse, often secular population. Research shows the share of homeschoolers of color rose by 4 percentage points since 1998, while the proportion of white children declined.
For families considering alternatives, the message is clear: you have options. Children’s brains are remarkably adaptable, capable of developing new skills when given the right environment and support. Whether through microschools, homeschool co-ops, or other personalized approaches, families are increasingly taking matters into their own hands to help their children flourish.
Quote: Homeschooling is not only holding its own, which is a win when everyone else is going down, but it’s actually increasing. Attribution: Angela Watson, Assistant Professor, Director of Homeschool Research Lab, Johns Hopkins University
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Here’s what matters most: your child’s brain can change and develop new skills when given the right environment. Research consistently shows that children make the most progress when learning approaches match their unique profiles—not when they’re forced into rigid systems designed for the average child. Whether you choose microschools, homeschool co-ops, or another path, you’re not alone in seeking something better. The system hasn’t worked for every child, and families are proving there’s another way. If you’re ready to explore approaches that recognize your child’s potential rather than their limitations, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan—and you keep that plan even if you decide it’s not the right fit.
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Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.
Your answers stay yours. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not hand identifiable assessment data to outside AI companies to train their models.
A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.
References
- Chicago Tribune - 'Free the kids': Why more Chicago families are turning to homeschooling
- Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab - Homeschooling demographics analysis
- Blazing Star School - About Blazing Star School
