Disrupting Education: Insights from Microschool Founders Lizette Valles and Coi Morfield

As traditional education models face increasing scrutiny, innovative alternatives like microschools are gaining attention. In this episode of Founder to Founder, Felicia Wright sits down with Lizette Valles, founder of Ellemercito Academy in Los Angeles, and Coi Morfield, founder of The Lab School of Memphis in Tennessee. Both leaders are disrupting education by offering personalized, learner-driven environments that challenge the status quo. This conversation provides valuable insights into the world of microschools, school choice, and the future of education.

Embracing Innovation in Education

Lizette and Coi both shared their motivations for creating microschools that break away from the conventional education system. Coi, from Tennessee, saw a need for innovative models that didn’t exist in her state. After searching for learner-driven environments for her children, she realized the education system wasn’t adapting fast enough. “I was crazy enough to think that I might somehow build it,” Coi shared, describing how The Lab School of Memphis was born.

Similarly, Lizette, based in California, emphasized the importance of meeting students’ unique needs through Ellemercito Academy, a project and play-based microschool. Lizette explained how her microschool disrupts traditional education by blending hands-on experiences with a strong social-emotional focus. “We’re out in the community quite a bit,” Lizette explained. “If we want our kids to care about the environment, we need to give them the opportunity to be in the environment.”

The Role of School Choice

School choice plays a significant role in both founders' success. Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program allowed Coi to provide financial relief for families already enrolled in her school. "It was important to relieve some of the pressure on families who believe this is the best environment for their child," Coi said. The program helped ease financial burdens, enabling her to maintain her innovative school model.

In California, Lizette takes a different approach. Families at Ellemercito Academy file a Private School Affidavit (PSA), which allows them to operate as homeschoolers while benefiting from the resources and structure of a microschool. This flexibility has been crucial for families who want more control over their children's education but don’t have the resources to homeschool independently.

Challenges Faced by Microschool Founders

While the microschool model offers many benefits, both Lizette and Coi noted the challenges that come with creating non-traditional schools. One of the biggest hurdles is gaining community and stakeholder support. “Getting people to partner with us and understand why these experiences matter can be challenging,” Coi explained, especially when it comes to providing real-world learning opportunities like internships for middle school students.

For Lizette, taking students off-campus for hands-on learning is both an exciting opportunity and a logistical challenge. However, she believes it’s essential to give students experiences they wouldn’t get in a conventional classroom. “Our kids are so excited about learning because they’re part of the whole process,” she said, describing how students co-create learning environments and projects at Ellemercito Academy.

The Impact of Representation in Education

Both founders touched on the importance of representation in education, particularly for students of color. Lizette recalled her personal experience of growing up without seeing educators who looked like her. As a BIPOC founder, she sees firsthand how her presence impacts the students and families she serves. “Parents have chosen our school because of me,” Lizette said, emphasizing the importance of having diverse leadership in educational spaces.

Coi echoed this sentiment, noting that the communities their students come from should be reflected in the school environment. She shared her hope that microschools like hers will provide students with the social capital and relationships they need to thrive in the real world.

The Future of Microschools and School Choice

As the conversation wrapped up, both Lizette and Coi expressed their hopes for the future of education. They stressed the need for more awareness and support for microschools and school choice. “What is currently available is not necessarily working,” Lizette said, urging legislators and policymakers to recognize the value of microschools in today’s educational landscape.

Coi added that simply pouring more money into traditional schools won’t fix systemic issues. “There’s no amount of money that’s going to change the approach to learning in these systems,” she explained. Microschools, with their focus on personalized, real-world learning, are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of today’s students.

Final Thoughts

Lizette Valles and Coi Morfield are part of a growing movement to reimagine education through microschools. By providing personalized, learner-driven environments, they are offering families an alternative to traditional schooling that prioritizes both academic success and social-emotional development. As microschools continue to grow in popularity, founders like Lizette and Coi are leading the way in disrupting the educational status quo.

For more information on Ellemercito Academy and The Lab School of Memphis, visit their websites and connect with them on social media.