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Micro schools & the Future of Education | Conversation with Ali Kaufman (SXSW EDU)

Micro schools are emerging as one of the most talked-about innovations in education.

In this conversation recorded during SXSW EDU, Clay de Souza speaks with Ali Kaufman, founder of Space of Mind, about the growing movement toward micro schools and alternative learning ecosystems.

Ali Kaufman explains how micro schools work, why families are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional education models, and how smaller learning environments can support student engagement, creativity, and well-being.

The conversation also explores the future of hybrid learning, homeschooling support systems, and how educators and communities can build new learning ecosystems that better serve students.

In This Conversation

• What exactly a micro school is
• Why traditional school systems are struggling to meet student needs
• The origins of Space of Mind and its coaching-based philosophy
• How family communication and organization affect student success
• Why the microschool movement is growing across the United States
• New models of homeschool support and learning ecosystems
• How alternative education can support student well-being and engagement
• Why the definition of “student success” is changing