FAQs

What curriculum will be used in the Loop Schools?

Our team will help families in each Loop collectively decide the right approach for their unique situation. Students will remain enrolled in the school of their choice: either in their existing public/private/charter school or families may collectively opt to enroll in a homeschool program.

Loop Schools will help families and facilitators implement the curriculum provided by your child’s school of enrollment, and we will provide resources to enrich and enhance that curriculum. Loop facilitators will be given the tools to tailor the learning experience based on students’ interests and needs.

Loop Schools is not a stand-alone school, rather it is a support service to maximize success and personalize learning from home.

Do micro-schools work?

Yes, and Loop Schools is here to make sure your micro-school works for your families and your children.

Think of a one-room schoolhouse re-invented to meet the needs of modern families and modern learners. The Loop Schools concept is built on the foundations of educational research about learning pods and micro-schools. Learning pods are proven and creative approach to confronting the challenges of online learning because they address the social needs of learners. A micro-school elevates the learning pod concept by employing a dedicated educator to facilitate a personalized community of learners, and allowing parents the opportunity to step away. Loop Schools is here to ensure our micro-schools are successful home-based classrooms where educators and small groups of students consistently work to help one another learn.

Who will teach in the Loop Schools?

Loop Schools staff will assist families in selecting and hiring the ideal facilitator for your needs. Loop Schools is developing a network of credentialed teachers, experienced para-educators, childcare providers, aspiring teachers, and others with a passion for education. We are recruiting educators who are excited at the prospect of working with small groups where their impact will be maximized. With our help and management, a facilitator with even limited experience can deliver an incredible educational experience to your children.

After determining your Loop’s budget and needs, Loop Schools will assist in screening, background clearing, and evaluating candidates to help your group make the right selection. Once in place, Loop Schools will serve as a constant resource to your facilitator, providing them training, professional development, best-practices, and solutions to specific challenges. In the rare event a facilitator is not a good fit for your Loop, our team will help make a change with minimal impact to the students’ experience.

Facilitators will be contracted and paid directly by families. Loop Schools will make it easy to set up employment agreements and manage payroll/taxes.

How should I choose my Loop, and how many students should be in it?

Loop Schools will provide our members with guidance on forming Loops that maximize the learning experience. We recommend Loops be formed to include students within a two or a three-grade span (ie. Kindergarten through 2nd grade or 6th through 8th grade students). There are many advantages to multi-age learning, and in some cases, an even larger age/grade span may work. In addition to the academic grade of the students, parents are encouraged to consider the learning styles and needs of their children and possible Loop-mates: unlike traditional schools, a high-performing younger student has the flexibility to join an older Loop, or vice versa. Ability and cohesion is as, if not more, important than academic grade when establishing your Loop.

We recommend that Loops include between three and eight students. A single Loop could potentially facilitate learning for up to 12 students with a highly qualified facilitator, but your County/State’s guidelines for student cohorts should be followed. Larger Loops will spread costs further, but pose increased risks of infection and dilute the individualized attention that make micro-schools so beneficial.

Accurately assessing your Loop’s Covid-19 risk profiles and desires for adherence to public health measures (social distancing, face coverings, interaction outside of the household, etc.) are critical in determining both the make-up and size of your Loop.

How much does it cost to form and operate a Loop School?

Compared to full-time child care or hiring a private tutor, Loop Schools is a cost efficient solution. The cost of your Loop School experience will be determined by several factors including the level of facilitator experience, hours of operation, and the size of your pod.

For most Loops with six to eight students and a full-time facilitator, you can expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 per month total, which includes Loop School’s membership fee.

Loop Schools will assist you in developing an operating agreement between families in your Loop that will make the process smooth and transparent for everyone involved.

More information on costs is available on our pricing page.

Where do Loop Schools meet?

Because a consistent learning environment has been shown to be best for students, each learning Loop is encouraged to select a single location to host your Loop School. We recommend a clean, comfortable, and well-lit space with adequate room, ventilation, and easy restroom access for students and facilitators to operate safely and within the health and safety protocols that your Loop agrees to. Locations with sufficient table space and safe outside spaces are ideal.

Some Loops may find that renting a separate space best fits their needs: either a conveniently located studio apartment or commercial space, understanding this will add to the cost and may have additional requirements for social distancing and operation.

All decisions about location will be left to the families in each Loop, with Loop Schools providing guidance for establishing a safe and comfortable learning environment conducive for best practices in teaching and learning.

What if our regular schools re-open?

Loop Schools encourages families to commit to and complete the 20 week term as a cohort. Traditional schools with large populations are under much more pressure to react to changes, so re-openings and subsequent re-closings are a possibility. If a Loop collectively decides to return to their school campuses, it is recommended that you retain the services of your facilitator to support collaborative after-school enrichment, homework support, and continued opportunities for socialization if an appropriate revised schedule can be agreed upon by all Loop members. The Loop Schools membership fee is non-refundable, and we will provide access to ongoing professional development for participating educators and parents for the duration of the term should you choose to rejoin traditional schools.

Children have been hit hard by the stress and uncertainty created in this pandemic. Providing consistency and continuity in a time of constant change can have long-term, positive effects on your kids.

Why do we need Loop Schools? Can’t we just start a learning pod on our own?

By joining Loop Schools, you are investing in professional guidance to ensure the success of your small group school solution. Rather than going at it alone, Loop Schools families will have access to guidance, support, and 20+ years of education expertise at every turn. We provide set-up assistance, offer ongoing support for families and their facilitators that will improve their overall experience, engage in continual improvement informed by feedback from participants, and provide resources for enriching and enhancing the educational program offered by your school of enrollment.

Unlike more rigid programs, Loop Schools combines the best of both worlds: the flexibility to establish your own schedule, select your own educational facilitator, options to meet a range of budgets, and while a robust package of wrap-around support.

What if we want to form a loop but don’t already have families in mind?

Loop Schools will work hard to match you with others in your area who are looking to form a Loop School and might be compatible. Please reach out to us and we will work hard to find a great-fitting team of families for you.

What if someone gets sick?

Loop Schools will work with families to agree on specific protocols to protect the health and safety of students, facilitators, and families. Agreements will reflect each Loop’s own risk profiles, attitudes, expectations, and the advice of their local health officials.

These clearly defined agreements will address a variety of contingencies including how to handle it if someone involved becomes exposed to the coronavirus. In most cases, the affected person would be temporarily removed from the Loop with clear benchmarks for rejoining.

Should a facilitator be exposed, Loop Schools will assist the Loop in finding a temporary or permanent replacement.

How will you serve students with special needs?

Loop Schools will make every effort to find and recommend educator candidates that will be a good fit for meeting the needs of students in each Loop. Since students will remain enrolled in a school of record, any special education services would still be provided by your school/district of enrollment. We will coach Loop parents and facilitators on collaborating to ensure recommended accommodations and modifications are implemented in the Loop School setting to provide consistent support for students with special needs.

I am interested in being a facilitator in a Loop School. How do I do that?

Loop Schools is excited to get interest from qualified adult facilitator candidates to assist in a Loop School. Loop School facilitators will have access to best-in-class training and mentorship, and will make an immediate impact on student outcomes in a safe and relaxed environment. We invite credentialed and previously credentialed educators, education students, recent college graduates, and parents with a passion for teaching to join us.

If you feel you would make a good fit in a Loop School, complete the educational facilitator application. Loop School educator candidates will be required to complete a background check, fingerprinting, and CPR certification. Once selected by a Loop, educational facilitators will participate in a personalized on-boarding meeting and a general training session.

Why would I choose to teach for a Loop School instead of just being hired as a private tutor?

Loop Schools elevates your work as a professional educator. We provide training, ongoing mentoring and support, and regular collaboration with other educators facilitating this same kind of small group learning. Loop School staff will also assist in communication and feedback between families and educators to support positive working relationships. You’ll gain professional experience working in a multi-age school environment while enjoying the benefits of teaching a group small enough that you will make and see, a real impact in your students’ lives.