1 million students have ditched traditional classrooms. Here’s where they’re going instead

Over the last few years, more than a million kids have left the conventional classroom. That's the equivalent of pulling one student out of every class in the country. So where are they going instead — and why?

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Over the past few years, more than a million students have left conventional classrooms — equivalent to removing one student from every class in America. This exodus highlights a growing disengagement crisis in education, with 66% of high school students reporting feeling disconnected from their learning. As working life and employment evolves, the traditional school model remains largely unchanged, leaving many students feeling uninspired and their families feeling constrained.

In response, innovative educators are reimagining what schooling can look like. We explore three unique approaches: a student-run private school in Idaho, a scalable microschool model in Arizona, and a transformed public school in North Dakota. These models share a common thread: empowering students to take ownership of their learning by aligning education with their interests and goals.

It’s not about abandoning public schools, but rather expanding educational options to create a diverse marketplace of learning environments. By offering more choices, from conventional classrooms to microschools and everything in between, we can help every student find the setting that best nurtures their talents and ignites their passion for learning. This shift recognizes that education is not one-size-fits-all, and that with the right opportunities, every child can thrive.

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