A Two-Day, Tuition-Free Microschool With Full-Time Impact

About this episode

Kerry McDonald interviews Marta MacBan about her experience founding a tuition-free microschool in Arizona.

In this episode of LiberatED , Kerry McDonald talks with Marta MacBan, founder of Sonoran Learning Collective , a hybrid microschool in Cave Creek, Arizona, that's reimagining how and when students learn. Launched in 2024 with just six students—including her own children—the program now serves a growing community of families seeking flexibility, personalization, and strong academic foundations. Marta shares how her journey from corporate media to education entrepreneurship was sparked by her daughter's struggles during pandemic-era schooling—and how that led her to build a two-day-a-week microschool focused on core academics and critical thinking for grades 4–8. Kerry and Marta discuss the power of Arizona's ESA program in making alternative education accessible, the benefits of midyear enrollment flexibility, and the importance of community partnerships. Marta also offers candid insights on the challenges of launching a microschool—from finding space to navigating regulations—and why connecting with other founders can make all the difference. For families exploring new learning models and aspiring founders ready to take the leap, this conversation highlights how small, flexible…

People in this episode

Host: Kerry McDonald

Guest: Marta MacBan

Topics covered

• microschool
• education entrepreneurship
• flexibility in learning
• community partnerships
• Arizona ESA program

Keywords

• microschool
• education
• flexibility
• personalization
• academic foundations
• community
• Arizona ESA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sonoran Learning Collective

Places: Cave Creek, Arizona

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