Families turn to microschools as Mississippi debates future of education funding

GULFPORT — Once rare, “microschools” are spreading across Mississippi — about 50 have opened since 2020 — as lawmakers consider whether to expand public funding for alternatives to traditional classrooms.

The surge comes amid talks of school choice under the Capitol dome. Supporters see specialized schools as a lifeline for families seeking personalized education while critics warn expansion could strain the state budget and redirect money from already under-resourced public schools.

Microschool models vary . Some operate as centralized homeschool programs, while others, like Gulf Coast Education Solutions in Gulfport, are nonpublic schools with a specialized focus.

Part of the debate ahead of the next legislative session is deciding which models would qualify for funding an