About MSC
MSC will help you design and implement more learning options for today’s learners with resources to support you.
Transforming education is a big task. Starting LEADPrep, our founding school, was lonely and difficult. There is no need to reinvent the wheel and labor in isolation. We, at MSC, choose to create an alliance with other collaborative micro-schools to be an example, catalyst, and resource for those bravely starting their own micro-school.
We see the increase in neurodiversity, dropout rates, climbing mental health issues within our youth population. We also see brave micro-school founders close their doors because they did not understand the complexity of starting a micro-school and were not equipped to be sustainable. These statistics are a cry for help and we are answering their call.
The Micro-School Directory is a list of existing micro-schools and small alternative schools. Our small school cohort in Seattle has many schools on this list. Members in this directory are willing to answer questions from micro-school founders and parents. This list is based on the premise collaboration wins over competition, knowing there are plenty of students to go around. It is a resource to those courageously beginning their own micro-school, a support to existing micro-schools, and a place prospective families can look for potential schools.
The MSC cohort is small. Each micro-school leader will complete prerequisites before becoming a cohort member. For this cohort, we need hard workers grounded in reality. Once started, there will be monthly training sessions. Between these sessions you will have with support in completing the homework and Action Plan steps. There will also be a private Facebook group to facilitate collaboration. The cohort will support our overarching goal for each participating start-up micro-school to have at least ten students and the doors open in less than a year. With the synergy of the group, and step-by-step support, this training program can help innovators meet the goal. A free initial consultation is a good place to start. Let’s talk about your vision and see what you need for support. The consultation will result in at least three ideas on how you can proceed.
Building Community to Transform Education for Today’s Learners
The Micro-School Coalition is an alliance of existing and potential micro-schools determined to transform education, creating more and better learning environments for our children. With synergy and collaboration, our combined efforts support the launching and sustainability of dynamic micro-schools that redesign the learning experience.
MSC will help you design and implement more learning options for today’s learners with three resources to support you.
Are you tired of seeing our rainbow of unique kids struggle and fail in school?
Are you concerned that this generation of students are not getting the education they need and deserve? Are you frustrated enough to take action?
Our teens and tweens are not broken. The problem is our one-size-fits-all school system. Be part of the solution: create a micro-school to transform education for today’s learners.
About our founder
Maureen O’Shaughnessy, EdD, is a career school innovator with over 30 years of transforming learning in schools to better serve all students. She is the founding director of Leadership Preparatory Academy, a progressive micro-school in Washington State. With a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate degree in educational leadership, she has an extensive understanding of the components needed to transform the education system.
Dr. O’Shaughnessy has served as head of school and principal internationally in countries such as Kuwait, Hungary, and Ecuador. Weaving in a strong emphasis on service and leadership at each school, she has been a change agent across the globe. Dr. O’Shaughnessy has dedicated her career to promoting compassionate, innovative, and responsive learning models so that all students can thrive. She is happily married and has two wonderful adult daughters — Jadrian and Giana — who are muses and teachers along her journey.
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