An Independent PK-6 Micro School
the children's collective
Small by Design.
A purposefully personal, learner-centered microschool where students find safety, support, and nourishment for their whole being.
We Believe Childhood Matters
Childhood should be filled with wonder, movement, questions, creativity, and belonging.
We believe children learn best when they have meaningful choices, caring adults, and opportunities to solve real problems.
Our classrooms are designed to help children become capable, confident, compassionate human beings.
A Different Way to Learn
Personalized, purposeful learning that inspires curiosity, courageous leadership, independence, and a lifelong love of discovery.
A Different Way to Grow
Growing confident, compassionate, and capable through meaningful relationships, shared values, and real responsibility.
Open for Enrollment
Is Your Child?
Constantly asking questions?
Creative?
Independent?
Curious?
Bright but bored?
Not fitting in a traditional classroom?
Full and Part Time Options
8:15 AM - 3:30 PM
OR
8:15 AM - 12:15 PM
After School and Summer Programming
The Collective Difference
Individual Learning Pathways
100% Personalized
Every learner follows a personalized Learning Chart designed around their current level of mastery. Rather than moving through the same lesson as everyone else, children receive individualized goals, conferences, and weekly work plans that grow with them.
Small by Design
<10
Every classroom has fewer than 10 students, allowing Learning Stewards to know every child deeply, provide individualized guidance, build meaningful relationships with families, and create a learning community where every child is seen, heard, and supported.
Community as Curriculum
0 Walls Required
Children belong to mixed-age learning communities where they build lasting relationships, mentor younger learners, collaborate across age groups, explore beyond the classroom, and contribute meaningfully to both the life of the school and the wider community.
Student-Directed Learning
72% of Each Day
Every day, children spend three uninterrupted hours directing their own learning. Using personalized Learning Charts, they choose the order of their studies, decide where they will work, manage their time, meet individually with their Learning Steward, and progress at a pace that reflects their readiness.
Learning Stewards
1:1 Daily
Beyond delivering lessons, stewards mentor, coach, observe, and partner with each child throughout their learning journey. Through regular one-on-one conferences, Learning Stewards help students set goals, reflect on their progress, overcome challenges, and develop the confidence to become independent learners.
Constellation Model
∞ Connected
Learning is organized around enduring concepts. Our Constellation Model connects literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and real-world experiences through big ideas that help children understand how knowledge is connected. As students explore each constellation through projects, investigations, and authentic experiences, they develop the understanding and transferable skills needed to apply their learning far beyond the classroom.
Research Backed
Education Reimagined: Student-led Learning | Dr. Catlin Tucker
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Contact
(605) 650-8778
connect@thechildrenscollective.org
3209 S. Summit Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57105