January 1, When School Fails Our Kids, Options Grow Fast

Wyatt’s Take

• Kids struggle in traditional schools, but it’s not always their fault.
• New educational options like microschools and ESAs are giving families hope.
• Learning should bring joy, not dread, and more parents are taking charge.

Many parents hear their kids complain about school, but the real problem may not be the child. The system itself is outdated and failing to meet today’s needs.

Kerry McDonald, in her book Joyful Learning, argues that when children are given more freedom and respect, they actually learn more and enjoy it. Parents and teachers are tired of making kids suffer through boring, one-size-fits-all classrooms.

Instead, families are turning to microschools, hybrid models, and custom classes that fit children’s unique needs. In Florida, education savings accounts help parents choose where their dollars go, boosting innovation and giving students a fresh start. Kind Academy is one example, offering mixed-age classrooms and freedom for kids to move and learn at their own pace.

When a child who once loved learning suddenly dreads school, it’s a signal something’s wrong with the environment, not the student. Kids who show effort and honesty outside of class often just need a system that respects their style.

Parents and teachers have real power now to break away from systems that don’t work. Books like Joyful Learning show how changing the way we educate can actually renew a child’s excitement to learn.

At the end of the day, our children deserve to look forward to learning. Too many are stuck in old routines that burn them out. Let’s choose schools that bring back curiosity and joy.

Wyatt Matters

Middle American families want their kids to thrive, not just cope. It’s time we demand schooling that puts children’s happiness and growth front and center.

Read the full story here