Minnesota microschools operate as homeschools without state tracking
Minnesota parents weighing a microschool for their children face a system largely untracked by the state, where small classes operating out of independent spaces function legally as homeschools.
How Minnesota Microschools Operate Without Direct State Tracking
Microschools have emerged across Minnesota over the past decade, featuring small cohorts ranging from five to 20 students. Independent tracking organizations estimate there are between 16 and 21 microschools operating in the state in 2026. Because state law treats these facilities as homeschools, the Minnesota Department of Education does not track microschool enrollment as a separate category.
“Kids get to be kids while also learning at their level,” said Kathleen Amstutz, co-founder of Heart Learning Collective in White Bear Lake.
Amstutz and her co-founder launched Heart Learning Collective after leaving their positions as public school teachers. The school follows a model reminiscent of a one-room schoolhouse, bringing together children of varying ages and abilities into a single learning environment. The structure allows educators to alter daily schedules based on student engagement, swapping rigid pacing for hands-on science and extended art projects.
Weighing Academic Rigor Against State Oversight
State oversight standards remain a primary consideration for families evaluating the alternative school model. Because these facilities operate under homeschool statutes, instructors are required to hold a bachelor’s degree but do not need state teaching certification. Schools can pursue official accreditation through the state, though few choose that path. Alternatively, enrolled students must complete an annual assessment exam, such as the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, the NWEA, or the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Nicole Gibas enrolled her eight-year-old son in a microschool after finding that local public school interventions fell short for her neurodivergent child. She and her husband spent months reviewing the school’s standards before making the transition. While the shift meant accepting less direct state oversight, Gibas noted that her son experiences significantly less fatigue at the end of the school day, improving their family dynamic.
Although microschools do not receive direct state education funding, families may qualify for a tax credit to help offset costs. Both certified and uncertified educators operate within the sector, giving families diverse options as they choose alternative educational models outside the traditional public school system.