Richardson ISD trustees voted to move forward with two microschool pilots that will open in the 2027‑28 school year, offering families alternative learning structures in smaller settings. The decision, announced at the board’s Oct. 29 meeting, targets parents who homeschool, attend private schools, or are considering options outside the district, according to Community Impact.
Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the microschools are part of a broader effort to counter recent enrollment declines by providing competitive programming that can recruit, retain, or recover students. Both programs will follow state standards and district accountability measures, noted Morgan Cave, executive director of instructional technology and innovation.
The Studio, a hybrid model for fourth and fifth graders, will blend on‑campus and at‑home learning days. Students will attend school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for direct instruction, new content, and collaborative projects. Wednesday and Friday will be asynchronous days when students work on adaptive platforms, complete projects, and engage in off‑campus experiences. Attendance will be recorded on all five days to ensure full state funding.
Lumen Academy will serve kindergarten and first‑grade students with a holistic, screen‑free curriculum that emphasizes classical literature, fairy tales, myths, structured word study, and memorization. Daily schedules will include literacy, math, science, humanities, character‑building morning meetings, piano instruction, fine‑arts rotation, and physical‑education activities such as run club.
Both microschools will admit students residing within the RISD boundary through an application and lottery system. The Studio will prioritize families seeking flexibility and personalized learning, especially those currently homeschooling or enrolled in private schools. Lumen Academy will target families who value classical education methods, routine‑based instruction, and a screen‑free environment.
Implementation will begin with one section per grade level at campuses that have capacity and leadership commitment. After the pilot year, the district hopes to expand the models to additional campuses or grade levels. RISD is still finalizing curriculum details, selecting elementary sites, recruiting staff, and refining the application process.
Branum emphasized that the microschools will not require a significant new financial outlay in the next year’s budget because the necessary infrastructure and platforms are already in place.
What’s next: RISD will continue to develop the microschool curricula, identify pilot campuses, and begin staff recruitment over the coming months. Families interested in applying should watch for the district’s upcoming enrollment materials and lottery timeline, which will be released after the pilot details are finalized.
Sources: communityimpact.com
