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Why one-size-learning doesn't work

Most of us grew up in classrooms where everyone was expected to learn the same things at the same time, regardless of whether they were ready or interested. It’s like assuming that because kids are the same age, they’re all at the same academic level. In reality, that’s rarely the case.

Just like how children hit milestones like walking or talking at different times, their learning follows a unique path too. Expecting every child to be on the same track at age 5 simply doesn’t match how development works.

Some kids are ready to jump ahead, while others need more time on certain concepts. Giving them the flexibility to move at their own pace keeps them engaged and makes learning feel less overwhelming. It’s not about rushing or slowing down—it’s about allowing for individual progress.

Rather than forcing everyone into the same learning mold, it’s more effective to give students time to dive deep into topics that interest them. When they have the space to explore, learning becomes something enjoyable and meaningful. My daughter is the kind of kid who can spend hours building intricate structures out of cardboard and tape. She’s also deeply into graphic novels—there’s something about the visual storytelling that captivates her. But what I noticed over time was how much of her natural learning style wasn’t really fitting into the traditional school mold.

Art wasn’t a regular part of her school day, and library time, a space she could have thrived in, was getting cut. She’s not a child who learns best by sitting at a desk all day. She needs to move, to create, to figure things out with her hands. There was a clear gap between how she naturally interacts with the world and what the school system was offering.

This really got me thinking: if the structure of school didn’t fit her, how many other kids are in the same situation? The reality is, not all kids fit into a one-size-fits-all education model. Some children are visual learners, some are builders and creators, some need to be up and moving to fully engage. When these aspects of learning—like art, design, library time, and creative play—get pushed aside, kids lose out on critical experiences that could spark their passion for learning.

It's not just the kids who sometimes don’t fit into the traditional school model—parents feel the disconnect too. As a parent, you want to feel like you’re part of your child’s education, like you can walk into their school, see their learning space, and build real connections with their teachers. But too often, that’s not the case.

You get a few rushed opportunities to meet the teacher—maybe two or three times a year, and always in short 10-minute slots during conferences. That’s hardly enough time to get a sense of who is guiding your child through such an important part of their life. And the school buildings themselves feel closed off. You’re not walking in to see what’s happening day to day; you’re left at the door, with little connection to what’s going on inside.

It feels strange to hand your child over to a place that you can’t really be a part of. Parents want to feel involved and informed, not just as spectators but as active participants in their child’s learning journey. That’s something I felt was missing, and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to create a school that’s open—not just to students but to their families, too.

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