Kids deserve to love school

The Prenda learning experience is a unique approach to education designed to increase engagement, motivation, and mental well-being as students work to become the strongest version of their future selves.
microschool students laughing with arms around each other's shoulders

Learning modes

The Prenda day is framed around four “modes” of learning that lend a flexible structure to the schedule. Microschools are encouraged to implement the learning modes in creative ways!

Connect Prenda icon

Connect Mode

I am becoming an empowered learner

Connect Mode is meant to build strong relationships and help microschools establish a culture based on Prenda's core values and the principles of empowerment. Students and guides read, watch, discuss, journal, and play as they discover the skills and mindsets of empowered learners.

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Conquer Icon

Conquer Mode

I can learn anything with courage and patience

Guides and parents work alongside students to create individualized learning plans using rigorous, mastery-based programs. Students set personal goals and move forward each day. Low-stress, adaptive, diagnostic testing identifies learning gaps and gets students working at the right level and pace.

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Collaborate Mode

I am an important part of something bigger than myself 

Collaborate mode engages students in inquiry-based research, debates, Socratic discussions, experiments, service learning, and problem-solving experiences that help them become people who think deeply about the world around them and how they interact with others. We teach students how to think, not what to think.

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Create Mode

I use my learning in authentic and meaningful ways

Create Mode is a time for exploration and creativity. Students work together as they solve reality-based problems through projects that help them discover their interests and the world. They create businesses, products, service opportunities, websites, galleries, events, performances, and more.

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At Prenda, students get the chance to fully comprehend each topic before moving on. This approach minimizes knowledge gaps and removes the psychological damage of bad grades, negative labeling, and peer comparison.
little girl looking through a cut piece of paper outside in her microschoolPrenda students putting their hands together to show teamwork and collaboration.A microschool student working on letters and sounds during Conquer time for English Language Arts. Two students painting on easels in their microschool that is in a large Christian church.

Empowerment principles

At Prenda, school doesn't happen to you. Here, kids take ownership of their education. The learner is the doer, the mover, the becomer. The empowerment principles help kids develop the skills they will need to manage their learning successfully. Each Connect Mode session focuses on one of the empowerment principles so they are always top of mind.

Community

Awareness and empathy for self and others are tools every student will need to navigate school and life. Students establish their own microschool governance, practice communication skills through conflict resolution, and develop lasting relationships through team building and play.

Autonomy

Having the opportunity to choose your path and take ownership is empowering but requires a high degree of discipline and self-mastery. Autonomy helps students learn time-management skills and how to control their thoughts and feelings as they practice persistence and sustained attention.

Mindset

The beliefs students have about themselves as learners can make all the difference. This principle helps students learn what it means to have a growth mindset, to seek out challenges instead of doing the bare minimum, and to remain curious and in awe of the world around them.

Purpose

If students don't know where they're going, they'll have little motivation to get there. This principle encourages students to ask “why” at every turn, discover what really motivates them, and to uncover who they want to become, what they want to learn, and how they plan on achieving their goals.

Microschools in action...

Ms. Rinna's Microschool
Ms. Vicki's Microschool
Ms. Jamie's Microschool

Ready for a deep dive?

Enjoy our 2023-24 family orientation walkthrough!

Research Alignment Document Theory of Action

Research alignment

At Prenda, we feel strongly about evidence based practices and pedagogy. Download our Research Alignment documentation for an overview of the research that drives our approach.

FOR PARENTS

Looking for a microschool for your child?

Prenda takes a grassroots approach to establishing schools so there might not be a microschool in your community, yet. But you can solve that. We can help!

Find a microschool
FOR EVERYONE

Explore the empowered learning movement

'Kindled' is Prenda’s effort to help teachers, homeschoolers, parents, and school leaders understand the art and science behind empowering young people. Come learn with us!

Explore Kindled Resources

Core values

Prenda’s core values are the foundation of our culture. Prenda Guides model the values, students embody them, and parents see how they impact the lives of their young learners in all that they do. 

A heart Icon

Start with heart

We see others as human beings with infinite value and unlimited potential. We reject labels and categories, focusing instead on humans who deserve empathy and inclusion.

A rocket Icon

Dare greatly

We discover our gifts and purpose, set big goals, then take small steps to achieve them. We hold ourselves to a high standard and we bravely continue when we hit a roadblock.

A puzzle piece Icon

Figure it out

We see ourselves as capable problem solvers who do whatever it takes to learn. We fearlessly question, we curiously tinker, and we stubbornly persist in our efforts to learn.

Shapes coming together Icon

Foundation of trust

We generously extend trust to others and work hard to earn their trust in us. We assume good intentions and approach other people with empathy, curiosity and compassion.

A barbell Icon

Learning > Comfort

We choose to keep learning, even when it’s hard. It may be tempting to avoid taking risks, but we know that meaningful learning and growth happen outside of our comfort zone.

A heart Icon

Start with heart

We see others as human beings with infinite value and unlimited potential. We reject labels and categories, focusing instead on humans who deserve empathy and inclusion.

A rocket Icon

Dare greatly

We discover our gifts and purpose, set big goals, then take small steps to achieve them. We hold ourselves to a high standard and we bravely continue when we hit a roadblock.

A puzzle piece Icon

Figure it out

We see ourselves as capable problem solvers who do whatever it takes to learn. We fearlessly question, we curiously tinker, and we stubbornly persist in our efforts to learn.

Shapes coming together Icon

Foundation of trust

We generously extend trust to others and work hard to earn their trust in us. We assume good intentions and approach other people with empathy, curiosity and compassion

A barbell Icon

Learning > Comfort

We choose to keep learning, even when it’s hard. It may be tempting to avoid taking risks, but we know that meaningful learning and growth happen outside of our comfort zone.

A heart Icon

Start with heart

We see others as human beings with infinite value and unlimited potential. We reject labels and categories, focusing instead on humans who deserve empathy and inclusion.

A rocket Icon

Dare greatly

We discover our gifts and purpose, set big goals, then take small steps to achieve them. We hold ourselves to a high standard and we bravely continue when we hit a roadblock.

A puzzle piece Icon

Figure it out

We see ourselves as capable problem solvers who do whatever it takes to learn. We fearlessly question, we curiously tinker, and we stubbornly persist in our efforts to learn.

Shapes coming together Icon

Foundation of trust

We generously extend trust to others and work hard to earn their trust in us. We assume good intentions and approach other people with empathy, curiosity and compassion

A barbell Icon

Learning > Comfort

We choose to keep learning, even when it’s hard. It may be tempting to avoid taking risks, but we know that meaningful learning and growth happen outside of our comfort zone.

A heart Icon

Start with heart

We see others as human beings with infinite value and unlimited potential. We reject labels and categories, focusing instead on humans who deserve empathy and inclusion.

A rocket Icon

Dare greatly

We discover our gifts and purpose, set big goals, then take small steps to achieve them. We hold ourselves to a high standard and we bravely continue when we hit a roadblock.

A puzzle piece Icon

Figure it out

We see ourselves as capable problem solvers who do whatever it takes to learn. We fearlessly question, we curiously tinker, and we stubbornly persist in our efforts to learn.

Shapes coming together Icon

Foundation of trust

We generously extend trust to others and work hard to earn their trust in us. We assume good intentions and approach other people with empathy, curiosity and compassion

A barbell Icon

Learning > Comfort

We choose to keep learning, even when it’s hard. It may be tempting to avoid taking risks, but we know that meaningful learning and growth happen outside of our comfort zone.