.svg)
Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community
With public school enrollment numbers plunging, more families are considering alternatives for their children’s education. But before you rush to join the 1.2 million students who have left public school districts since the start of the pandemic -- whether it‘s to join a different kind of school or to experience alternatives to school all together -- get clear on which direction to head.
Here are two questions to get started:
1) How involved do you want to be in your child’s education?
2) What kind of educational approach best suits your child?
The first question will help you decide on the physical location: in-person (public, private, charter, parochial, or magnet school), or at home (homeschool or virtual school).
Once you’ve figured out the ’where’, the second question will help you determine the ’how,’ narrowing your choice further to a kind of school that matches your educational goals: traditional, specialized or alternative.
When you start considering alternatives to traditional public education, ask yourself, ”How involved do I want to be?” For parents who want - or need - to send their children out of the house to learn alongside other kids who live in their zip code, the most logical starting place will be their community‘s private, parochial, magnet or charter schools. This option requires the least parental involvement but, on the flipside, provides the least flexibility.
For parents who want their kids to receive a traditional education from home without having to take full responsibility, online school is a good middle ground.
Virtual school has diversified in recent years, with public and private educational options. Many local school districts offer virtual academies that replicate the traditional school experience, following the standard state curriculum.
Private online schools are open to anyone, without geographical limitation, but at a cost (often a fraction of in-person, private tuition). Like public online academies, these schools replicate traditional aspects of education: an instructor who teaches a standard curriculum of siloed subjects, assigns letter grades and conducts assessments. Some online schools have clubs and activities to help students socialize.
Parents who want the highest level of involvement might be drawn to homeschooling, a highly customizable education unconfined by their child’s grade level or the traditional calendar school year.
Home-based approaches range from the more structured curriculum-out-of-the-box to free-form unschooling – as well as flexischooling where kids put together a mosaic of options, including online classes or independent study. (See our deep-dive into homeschool options here.)
Flexible and customizable, homeschooling allows your family to work and play according to its rhythm - and get in plenty of quality time. In large urban areas particularly, there are no shortage of meetups, playgroups and extracurriculars geared toward nontraditional learners, putting to rest the myth of the isolated homeschooler.
Still, these advantages come with a cost for parents: You’ll have to select a curriculum, foster opportunities for socializing, and provide supervision (at least until high school). But even if a yellow bus isn’t whisking your kid away every day, there are ways to get many of the homeschool benefits that don‘t become a full time job – such as a microschool or a full-service, home-based option like Prisma.
A hybrid option between homeschooling and traditional school is microschooling. Born out of the pandemic phenomenon of learning ’pods,’ in which families pooled resources while schools were closed for in-person learning, microschools serve a maximum of 10-15 students - but may be joined in a network to other microschools.
Microschooling is a good fit for parents who are attracted to the small, customized environment of homeschool and want a built-in cohort to support their child’s education. Parents can have significant input into curriculum, approach and peer group, without shouldering the daily obligations -- once the school gets up and running.
Once you decide which of these choices gives you the right level of involvement, you’ll want to drill down into the question of educational approach: traditional, specialty or alternative.
If your child does well in an environment structured around individual academic subjects, tests and letter grades, but wants smaller class sizes and (generally) better funded extracurriculars, consider these alternatives.
Private schools have significant freedom to design high quality curriculum, create an academic calendar, and establish graduation requirements. Cost is often the biggest barrier to attending, although need- and merit-based financial aid is generally available. (There are also specialty and alternative private schools as discussed below.)
Parochial schools often cost less than their private counterparts and incorporate religious instruction.
A charter school is a free option with no geographical limitations on enrollment, so if you’re willing to drive your child, you might be able to take advantage of this category of school. Make sure to consult the school‘s charter to learn more about its mission and approach.
If you can’t find the ideal situation in your community and are willing to let your child live away from home, a boarding school could be the right fit. Boarding school students often establish deep bonds with their community and develop independence while living away from home. While boarding schools have jaw-dropping price tags, many offer significant financial aid.
If your child has a passion for the arts, an interest in STEM, or a love of foreign language, you might look into a specialty school. In addition to private specialty schools, consider magnet schools: These public education programs are free but may require a lottery to enter. If this is on your radar you’ll want to inform yourself of the yearly deadline (and have a backup plan in case you don’t get a slot).
If you hear your kid constantly saying school is boring or asking, ”When will I ever need this in my life?” you might look into alternatives to school that kindle their desire for real-world learning.
A subset of private schools, alternative schools are rooted in the tradition of progressive education, a pedagogical movement that started in the late 1800s. The term ‘progressive’ signals the movement’s interest in experiential, interdisciplinary, real-world learning that teaches problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork. Well known contributors include Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner, whose philosophies live on in modern-day Montessori schools and Waldorf schools.
Access to alternative schools has increased dramatically in recent years. Whereas parents interested in alternative education had been limited to local, in-person options, a new category of home-based virtual learning -- led by Prisma -- has opened possibilities for alternative education that makes zip codes irrelevant.
At the intersection of homeschool, online school, and alternative school, Prisma is ideal for parents who want to spend more quality time with their child, and to be more involved in their education -- without shouldering the entire responsibility. Whereas most online schools replicate the traditional silos of public education, at Prisma kids learn through project-based learning: building, creating and designing. Rather than earn grades from a teacher who imparts knowledge in a mandatory series of subjects, Prisma learners receive growth-oriented feedback from coaches with whom they build close relationships and discover the real-world implications of their interests.
No longer limited by one‘s address, the search for alternatives to traditional school has grown increasingly complex. So start by getting clear on how involved you want to be. Then, once you consider the kind of environment that will help your child thrive -- whether it’s a traditional, specialty or alternative school -- you‘ll be able to do a deep dive into the specific options and, ideally, attend an information session to get a better sense of fit. If you‘d like to check out a free demo Prisma workshop, run by one of our coaches, sign up here.
Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?
Talk with usTalk with usHow kids can design projects that solve real-world problems
Falling in Love with Science
There are plenty of ways that homeschoolers make friends and engage with their peers, while still reaping the benefits of a homeschool education.
Tools to build self-awareness and resilience
The real world isn’t divided into school subjects. Learn how we design our interdisciplinary curriculum.
Explore the importance of education for children’s overall development and get practical tips for convincing your kids of its importance.
The Superpower that Turns Kids into Lifelong Learners
What would it look like if school prepared us for life?
Why is it that in a world of unprecedented technological advances and time-saving innovations, we seem to be busier than ever before?
Imaginative play isn’t just for preschoolers. Here’s how to spark your child’s imagination.
Engaging kids in the kitchen goes beyond food preparation. Here’s how to incorporate cooking into your weekly lesson plans.
The job landscape is shifting before our eyes. Here’s how to help kids navigate future career choices.
If your child has doubts, here’s how to help them get to a “yes.”
With adolescent mental health in crisis, here’s how to support your high school student’s well-being.
At its core, creativity is the expression of our most essential human qualities: our curiosity, our inventiveness, and our desire to explore the unknown.
The concept of critical thinking can seem vast and abstract. But one of the most meaningful ways you can start to tackle it is by rethinking the role of the teacher.
Imagine your child exploring new countries, meeting people from different cultures, and gaining a deep understanding of the world in a way that simply isn't possible in traditional education.
Unstick your child’s creativity, stretch their thinking, and improve their writing skills with topics that tap into their passions.
I never expected to find a family within my child’s school, but the leadership, teachers, parents and kids have become friends for life
Homeschooling can be overwhelming for parents. Here's how to recognize the signs of burnout & concrete solutions.
What’s behind your child’s complaint — and what to do about it.
If building social skills has been a bumpy road for your kid, here’s how to help them form healthy friendships.
The homeschool day can be quite efficient, compared to a typical public school day. Then, their school work completed, kids have plenty of time for extracurriculars, hobbies, unstructured play and generally... fun.
Possibly. But here’s what to do first.
To instill life-long healthy eating habits, take a hands-on approach
.png)
Distance learning doesn’t have to be a drag. Here’s how Prisma creates a community-centered online learning environment.
Distance learning is gaining popularity. Here’s what you need to know about online learning for high school students.
A bridge into high school, middle school is the time to prepare for independent learning. Here’s how to set the stage.
ADHD is only one reason for a short attention span. Find the cause, then try these tips for helping your child focus.
There’s no roadmap to develop a true passion — but here are ways to make the journey more fruitful.
Kristen Shroff is an experienced educational leader who has been with Prisma from the very beginning, first as a Founding Curriculum Designer & then as Head of School. Now, as CEO, she will lead Prisma into its next stage of growth.
Meet Claire Cummings, our Head of Middle School. Claire started out as a beloved Learning Coach in our middle school program before transitioning to the Head of School role in January 2023! She is based in Detroit, Michigan.
From making a meal to balancing a budget, here’s how to help teens learn to thrive in the real world.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Emily Veno, one of Prisma's Founding Curriculum Designers. After two years focused on building Prisma's middle school curriculum, in her new role as Head of Learning Innovation she works across both the middle & high school programs.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Leena Williams, the Lead Coach & Curriculum Designer in our new high school program.
Get to the bottom of your child’s apathy and help them find their ‘why.’
At Prisma, we believe the families and learners who like to call themselves Prismarians—are our ‘secret sauce’! Here we highlight one of our favorite stories from the Prisma community
.png)
From national parks to beach vacations, design an in-the-field learning experience the whole family will enjoy
Online learning takes many forms. Decide why you want to go remote — and the rest will fall into place.
Here’s how parents of ADHD children can set themselves up for successful learning at home.
Online learning doesn’t have to be distracting. These tips can prime your child to thrive at home.
From early childhood through high school, homeschooling provides the ideal setting to facilitate a gifted child’s learning. Here’s how.
And how can you support them in the classroom?
From fostering a love of learning to developing problem-solving skills, child-initiated learning is a pillar of a successful homeschooling journey. Here’s how to get started.
Focus on number sense and you’ll help your child add math skills to their toolkit.
Combine fun with a pinch of self-discipline, and you’ll be well on your way to a wellness routine your child wants to follow.
Kids need to develop their own world as they mature. But the stereotype of the zip-lipped pre-teen doesn’t have to be your reality.
It’s not easy to juggle full-time work and homeschooling — but it is possible. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to thrive.
Learning languages opens doors, offers connections and inspires new ways of thinking. Here’s some advice about which one(s) to pick.
Critical thinking matters for academics, work and relationships. Here’s how to lay the foundations at home.
Read about the hands-on learning opportunities one Prisma high schooler tackled in the Secrets of the Biosphere theme
Creative thinking is the key to problem-solving. Here’s how to foster creativity at home.
Traditional four-year college is only one option. Here’s how to inform your decision.
The Montessori approach focuses on early childhood. Here’s how the popular pedagogical method can lend itself to home-based learning for all ages.
Here’s what parents need to know about the popular social media network.
Here’s what every parent should know about facilitating a routine that works for the whole family.
Hands-on learning benefits all students. Here’s how to incorporate it into your homeschooling.
There’s no evidence to confirm the validity of these popular labels. But here’s how auditory learning strategies can benefit everyone.
Although no studies link these popular labels to academic achievement, here’s how visual learning helps everyone.
Here’s what parents need to know about the free, popular chat app.
Incorporate these reading tips into your routine, and you’ll be on your way to fostering a love of reading in your child.
Ready to Deck the Halls? Here are projects to engage kids of all ages—and tackle your seasonal shopping with DIY keepsakes.
More than just asking questions in the classroom, the Socratic Method helps learners test their own ideas in a real-life context.
Here are some guidelines to help sift through the infinite options.
When students set the conditions of their learning experience, they show more creativity, passion and sticktuitiveness.
With built-in lesson plans, educational tools, and endless problem-solving opportunities, Minecraft: Education Edition can help motivate kids in coding, science, language arts, and more.
Get into the spirit of gratitude with these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Teach children gratitude and they’ll experience better mental health, well being and social connection.
8 tips to ensure learning disabilities don’t get in the way of building reading skills.
Why does your child dread Mondays? Once you know, take these steps to help them (re)discover their spark.
To stop bullying behavior, educate yourselves and your children.
Bullying is about a power dynamic between peers. To interrupt it, first understand why it happens.
Children’s Mental Health is in Crisis. Here’s How to Help Develop Your Child’s Self-Esteem.
To reach their high potential, twice-exceptional children benefit from a flexible learning environment.
The holiday season is the time to get your hands dirty with these Halloween craft ideas - candy corn optional.
Dyslexic kids often lose their love of learning. Here’s how parents can help them rediscover it.
The challenges of adolescence can be magnified for LGBTQ kids. Here’s how to help them thrive.
From bullying to finding a safe bathroom, LGBTQ students navigate a tough landscape at school.
What we know about the relationship between ‘hard fun’ and learning. (Hint: It’s not about playing games in between worksheets.)
Here’s what we mean by ‘success’ at Prisma - and how we use it to help kids thrive.
What parents need to know about socialization in—and out of—the classroom to help your homeschooler thrive.
Child entrepreneurship is trending. Here are three steps to developing an innovative business that stands out from the crowd.
A hands-on approach to develop real-world skills, resiliency and a love of learning — here’s how we practice it at Prisma.
A Shared Name and Diverse Strengths Led Two Bens to Build an AI Writing Business.
Five ways parents can help their kids see themselves as a work in progress.
Gifted kids face unique challenges when it comes to burnout. Here’s how parents can help.
For travel-hungry families dreaming of school vacation, there’s much to celebrate about shifts in the way we live, work and educate our children.
To create a customized education for your child takes more than a checklist. This three-stage framework can help you get started.
If you’re homeschool-curious, here’s what 100 families have to say about the biggest advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling.
With homeschooling, the sky’s the limit – and there’s a lot on your plate. Learn about how to make this growing trend work for your family.
Learning how to use the internet safely, smartly, and creatively is one of the most essential skills for success in our hyper-connected world. Prisma learners just wrapped up their Cyber Citizens learning
A live learning platform purpose-built for kids. It's a new, fun and engaging way for kids to learn and collaborate together virtually.
Technology has completely revolutionized how we shop, communicate, entertain ourselves, and even how we work, but no such revolution has happened in education.
We’ve officially wrapped up our first ever fall session at Prisma and are excited to share our learnings and observations with you.
Starting today, families can apply to join Prisma from anywhere in the USA. Here’s how it will work. You can still apply to any of our five founding cohort hubs (Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Tampa) if you live nearby.
Over the past week, as millions of parents have realized that traditional in-person schooling may not be safe or available come September, a new twist on an old phenomenon has emerged.
We're excited to announce the rollout of Prisma cohorts in 5 US cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa and Salt Lake City.
