Your Questions, Answered

  • A microschool is a small group of learners led by a “guide” that helps kids progress academically while fostering their love of learning and supporting a strong sense of self-efficacy. Microschools are unique in that they not considered a charter, private or homeschool, but rather a hybrid of all three. Key hybrid aspects of microschools include:

    • Methodology: Often blends in-person, project and inquiry-based learning instruction with adaptive technology-driven, and experiential learning, strongly rooted in the needs of the community around it.

    • Structure: Microschools have no more than 150 students total, but are often much smaller—from around 10 to a few dozen students

      - Classes have no more than 15 students total, but are often less

      - Multiple ages learn together in a single classroom

      - Typically focused on personalized, flexible pace of homeschooling with the structured setting, curriculum support, and social interaction of a private school.

    • Operations: They often operate in flexible spaces (homes, churches, or community centers)

    • Are governed by either homeschooling or private school laws, rather than state charter regulations.

    • They are eligible to seek state and national accreditations, and recognized as a specialized form of education.

    • In the state of Texas, microschools are recognized as eligible entities for school choice funds.

    • Microschools must still meet state-level health, safety, and curriculum requirements.

    • Community: They are community-based and very flexible, focusing on tailored educational philosophies that their local community needs, rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

  • So glad you asked! We understand that our model looks different from a traditional public school and that can naturally raise questions about safety. At Crestline, our safety is intentional, proactive, and built into daily routines, supervision, and clear, frequent communication.

    How does Crestline approach safety in a home-based microschool setting?

    • Safety at Crestline is intentional, structured, and taken seriously every day

    Adult Screening

    • All adults age 18 and older who are hired, volunteer, visit regularly, or interact with students in an approved role are required to complete a background check. NO EXCEPTIONS. This includes all staff, volunteers, parent helpers, and all guest presenters when appropriate. These background checks are kept on file and repeated annually

    • Parents must submit an approved list of individuals authorized to pick up their kiddo at any time, due before the first day of school, August 13th, 2026.

    • New to pick up and not a parent? Proof of ID will be required to prove you are an approved individual on the pick up list.

    • Prospective parents who are interested in enrolling their student and are requesting a tour during school hours will do so via Zoom or Google Meets. No one unscreened comes into the building while kiddos are present.

    Supervision

    • Our smaller setting allows for closer supervision, stronger relationships, and quicker response when students need support or physical help

    • Students are supervised during ALL learning blocks, outdoor time, movement breaks, transitions, off-site learning experiences and field trips. Each teacher is responsible for up to 8 students; everyone in that learning group moves and transition to various tasks and activities together

    • Our private, single-use restroom is a major advantage!

      • One student uses the restroom at a time, with a locking door and direct access from the classroom space. As a public school educator, you would be shocked at the things that go down in a public multi-student bathroom. Yes, even in elementary school. They are notorious hubs for bullying, vaping, smoking, vandalism, and a variety of other inappropriate behaviors.

    Emergency Preparedness

    • We practice regular, age-appropriate safety practice in order to prepare students and staff for emergency situations, including:

      • fire drills

      • severe weather drills

      • ‘shelter-in-place’ procedures

    Personal Safety Instruction

    • Personal safety is taught as a life skill through lessons on boundaries, body safety, situational awareness, and getting help from trusted adults

    Parent Communication

    • We strive to maintain open communication with our families regarding school routines, expectations, and safety-related procedures

    • Parents will be informed of important updates or incidents affecting student well-being

    • We will be utilizing an app called Playground for attendance tracking, pick up notifications, and in-app messaging, announcements, and picture sharing for parent communication

    Online Safety

    • K–2 students remain fully device-free

    • Online safety is actively monitored in real time for older students

    • Student screens will be viewed in real time by Guides through a third-party monitoring tool, allowing Guides to close out off-task screen behavior immediately from their own device.

    • To maintain a secure digital environment, all AI tools used by our staff and students are accessed securely via the Clever login platform, adding protection, accountability, and peace of mind for families

    • Students are also taught safe, responsible digital habits as part of their life skills learning

    Our goal is to create a learning environment where students feel both safe and known. In many ways, our smaller model allows for more intentional oversight and stronger day-to-day awareness than larger school settings.

  • Just as the name suggests, microschools are just that - small or ‘micro’. A typical microschool could have as little as 5 learners and as many as 150.

    They are typically defined by their small student-to-teacher ratio and the unique learning structure of the environment, which can vary from microschool to microschool. Another common name for a microschool is a ‘Learning Pod’.

    Crestline Learning Collective maintains a student to teacher ratio of 8:1.

  • For the 2026-2027 academic year, our class ratio will be 8:1.

    We currently serve grades K-6, with current openings in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.

    At this time, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grades are waitlisted.

    Start a conversation today to explore fit and be considered for our waitlist.

    With all of the new Texas education funding options launching for the 2026–2027 school year, many families will be rethinking their educational choices. Start the process now to avoid the rush! Order matters: Waitlist priority is based on the date your nonrefundable application fee of $50 is paid.

    Once contacted, you will have 24 hours to commit and pay the $400 enrollment fee before our offer is given to the next family in line on the waitlist.

  • Yes! Carissa is the lead teacher and currently holds active Texas licensure and certification in each of the following:

    • EC-6th Core

    • 4th-8th Core

    • EC-12th Health and Fitness

    • English as a Second Language (ESL)

    • Gifted and Talented Instruction (GT)

    • Texas Reading Academy Instruction (TRA)

    • STEM.org Certification (NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards)

    • Makey-Makey Certification

    • MIT LAB Scratch Coding Certification

    • Masters degree - M.S. in Clinical Mental Health

    • ‘Retired’ credentials of LPCi and NBCC as a former licensed professional therapist.

    Carissa is currently enrolled in the Take Flight Dyslexia Program developed by the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She is eligible for full CALT credentialing and Licensure in 2028.

    As Crestline grows, we are committed to ensuring all future guides are certified and highly qualified Christian educators that align with our mission and vision. We are currently interviewing now!

  • One of the many advantages microschools offer over traditional school settings is their learning flexibility! Students thrive when they have voice and choice in their learning. At Crestline, that freedom is paired with clear structure, with each day following a predictable rhythm, with defined expectations, weekly goals, and frequent parent communication to ensure students are consistently growing and learning.

    Monday–Thursday at Crestline (This a tentative example. Final schedule will be released in June 2026)

    A Day in the Life (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

    9:00–9:20 | Arrival, Connection & Morning Movement
    Students settle in, connect, and begin with light movement, outdoor time, and healthy snacks to support focus and regulation.

    *Monday mornings will often be hosted at the Frisco Library, then finished at the microschool.

    9:20–10:05 | Morning Meeting, SEL & Goal Setting
    Community connection, daily devotional and bible study, social-emotional learning, and clear goals set for the day (and week).

    10:05–10:20 | Movement Break (15 min)
    Reset through movement and outdoor time.

    10:20–11:20 | Literacy Block
    Reading, writing, cursive, phonics, and comprehension taught at each student’s level.

    11:20–11:35 | Movement Break (15 min)
    Active reset and outdoor time to support attention and engagement.

    11:35–12:20 | Math Block
    Differentiated math instruction, problem-solving, and number sense.

    12:20–12:35 | Movement Break (15 min)
    Movement and fresh air before lunch.

    12:35–1:10 | Lunch & Outdoor Time
    Students eat, socialize, and recharge, if weather allows, we picnic!

    1:10–1:40 | Executive Function & Independent Work
    Planning, organization, goal tracking, and supported independent learning based on each student’s identified goal. Also a time for ‘Passion Projects’.

    1:40–1:55 | Movement Break (15 min)
    Short outdoor reset to maintain energy and focus.

    1:55–2:40 | Project-Based/Inquiry Learning
    Hands-on, interdisciplinary learning with real-world applications related to science, social studies, STEM, entrepreneurship, life skills, culinary arts, financial literacy, public speaking, and so much more! (rotations)

    2:40–2:55 | Movement Break (15 min)
    Final movement reset of the day.

    2:55–3:00 | Reflection & Dismissal Prep
    Students reflect, organize, and close the day with clarity.

    Why This Works

    • Built-in movement supports focus, regulation, and engagement

    • Predictable rhythm creates a calm, structured environment

    • Academic blocks are balanced with breaks to prevent overwhelm

    • Executive functioning is explicitly taught and supported throughout the day

    • Students experience both challenge and reset in a natural flow

    • Students knowingly have designated daily times to create and invest time into their passion projects!

    Fridays at Crestline (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

    Fridays are dedicated to ‘Real World Friday’ field trips and ‘Service to Others’ days.

    9:00– 9:30 | Morning Meeting, SEL & Devotional
    Community connection, daily devotional and bible study, social-emotional learning, and clear directions and expectations set for our public outings.

    9:30–1:30 | We field trip and serve! Parents are always welcome to join.

    1:30–2:00 | Reflection & Dismissal Prep
    Students reflect, organize, and close the day and week with clarity.

  • If a student could… they would! Students are naturally wired with the desire to learn! When they seem anxious, frustrated, bored, or disengaged, they’re communicating - not failing. More often than not, it’s the environment that isn’t working, not the child.

    Our learning philosophy is simple: the right environment changes everything.
    At Crestline, we take personalized Christian-based learning to academically meet your kiddo where they actually are, then combine it with community-based experiences, and explicit executive functioning and social-emotional support so students can think clearly, grow confidently, and develop real-life skills that last beyond the classroom. Your child has a gift the world needs! Lets unlock it together!

  • We use a Love and Logic approach that combines empathy, clear expectations, and natural consequences.

    Students are guided with calm, respectful support while learning to take responsibility for their choices.

    The Crestline Core Four guides our discipline approach

    • Clarity — students know what is expected and what happens when expectations are not met

    • Confidence — students learn that mistakes can be repaired and growth is possible

    • Connection — relationships matter, and conflict is handled in ways that protect and restore community

    • Capability — students build real skills in self-regulation, communication, and problem-solving

    Our Christian approach emphasizes both truth and grace

    • Students are taught to take ownership, speak truthfully, seek peace, offer forgiveness, and treat others with respect

    Parents are kept informed when concerns are significant, repeated, or affecting learning and relationships

    • We believe strong home-school partnership is essential when helping children build better habits and stronger character

    We believe children grow best when they experience both grace and follow-through

    • Students are not shamed for impulsive behavior, but they are not excused from responsibility either

    Our goal is not just better behavior in the moment

    • Our goal is to help students grow in accountability, self-control, empathy, kindness, responsibility, and the ability to navigate conflict in healthy, lasting ways!

  • We do not rely on traditional grades to measure growth

    • Instead, we track progress through clear, meaningful evidence of learning

    • Families receive insight through:

      • rubrics with defined expectations

      • projects and presentations

      • writing samples and student work

      • daily and weekly goal tracking and executive functioning growth

      • reflection and teacher feedback

      • throughout the school year, we send parents brief bi-weekly feedback forms to gather their thoughts, celebrate what is going well, and address any questions or concerns early.

    • Students complete i-Ready assessments at the beginning and end of each school year to help us measure academic growth over time. i-Ready is a nationally recognized, research-based assessment tool that provides growth data similar to NWEA MAP Growth.

    • Families meet three times each year with guides for a ‘GPS Meeting’ - Guide, Parent, Student. These conferences focus on progress, goals, support, and the next steps in each child’s learning journey.

    This gives parents a fuller picture of how a child is growing academically, socially, and independently

    Our focus is on real progress, real mastery, and skills that last beyond the classroom

  • In short… A BIG ONE! We think of parents as our ‘secret ingredient’ to a successful school year! Parents are our co-partners, not just passive participants. Your voices help to shape our calendar, our culture, and our kiddos’ Crestline experience.

    We strongly encourage parent participation! The best learning happens when we work side-by-side with you, and we are firm believers that every family has a unique skill set to share. There will be ample opportunities for parents to plug in and become involved as the year progresses.

  • We want to ensure a personalized experience for your kiddo. Therefore, the $400 registration fee is non-refundable, as it allows us to secure necessary resources just for you.