At its Oct. 29 meeting, the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) Board of Trustees voted to launch two new microschool models for the 2027‑28 school year. Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the programs are designed to give families more choice and to help the district reverse recent enrollment declines.
Why microschools?
The district’s budget committee originally recommended the pilots as a way to grow enrollment by offering educational structures not currently available in RISD. “As we are seeing some declines in enrollment from multiple factors, we want to ensure that we have competitive programming that will allow us to recruit, retain or recover students,” Branum explained.
The Studio – a hybrid model for grades 4‑5
Named “The Studio,” this program blends 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 are asynchronous days when students work on adaptive platforms, complete projects and engage in off‑campus experiences. The schedule is intended to develop student agency and leadership skills, with attendance data captured each day to maintain full state funding.
Lumen Academy – a classical, screen‑free option for K‑1
Lumen Academy will follow a traditional curriculum that emphasizes classical literature, fairy tales, myths, structured word study, memorization and repetition. Daily routines include literacy, math, science, humanities, character‑building morning meetings, piano instruction, fine‑arts rotation, and physical‑education activities such as a run club. The program is screen‑free and focuses on real‑world exploration, fine arts, and daily movement.
Who can apply?
Both microschools will be open to students who reside within the RISD boundary. Admission will be through an application and lottery system. The district will target families currently homeschooling, attending private schools, or considering those alternatives. For The Studio, the district seeks highly motivated, curious and collaborative students who can thrive in a hybrid environment. Lumen Academy will look for children who respond well to teacher‑guided instruction, enjoy routine, and appreciate a classical, screen‑free learning experience.
Implementation and funding
RISD plans to pilot the programs at campuses that have the capacity and leadership commitment to support them, with one section per grade level. After the 2027‑28 pilot year, the district hopes to expand the models to additional campuses or grade levels. Branum emphasized that the microschools will not require a significant new budget line because the necessary infrastructure and platforms are already in place. “Microschools are a part of creating more tailored opportunities for students but it’s not going to be at the cost of continuing to invest in our strong neighborhood schools,” she said.
Community response
Board members and district officials highlighted RISD’s long history of choice programming, including magnet schools and the Two‑Way Dual Language Immersion Program. The new pilots continue that tradition, offering families more flexibility while maintaining state standards and accountability measures, according to Morgan Cave, executive director of instructional technology and innovation.
Parents interested in the microschools are encouraged to watch for further announcements on application timelines, campus locations and staff recruitment as the district refines the curricula over the coming months.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Richardson — read the source article.
