Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Wood.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I have worked in the field of education since 2005. Starting humbly as a K-1st grade tutor, I’ve worked in K-12, postsecondary, and nonprofit environments, including state- and national-level supervisory capacities and on municipal boards. A couple of years ago, I moved to Central Florida to take a position as a middle school administrator. Unfortunately, the position was cut from the school budget for the following school year. I took this setback as an opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted: to open a school of my own.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a microschool founder is no easy task! Many of my peers would agree that two of the largest obstacles are securing a location (including expensive fire sprinkling systems, permits, and inspections) and obtaining funding. Because a true, concrete legal definition of a microschool does not exist, founders must find a way to position themselves within a complex landscape. It goes beyond for-profit versus nonprofit- you really have to have a solid business structure and financial plan to present to people who have no idea what a microschool is.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Elevated Purpose Learning Community is a K-8 microschool with multigrade classes capped at 10 students each (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-8th). Our pillars are academics, leadership, and creativity. Our approach is a fusion of play-based and project-based learning that fosters individually-paced math and literacy mastery. We pride ourselves in being culturally relevant- it is essential that each student is able to see themselves represented/reflected in all that we do. Our learning space includes STEAM and multisensory playspace.
In order to support the needs of our families, we are currently only offering a four-day program with parent-stay and drop off options. Additionally, we proudly accept the Step Up for Students PEP and UA scholarships through our partnership with Prenda.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are currently enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year. Further, we are interested in community partnerships, mentoring and extracurricular opportunities, and entities/individuals who would like to make a donation (tax-deductible monetary or in-kind). Moreover, we would love to connect with other educational, education-adjacent, or family-oriented organizations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatedpurposelearningcommunity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedpurposelc?igsh=aTBpdDEzeXRrM2w0
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eo9aYtc2P/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elevatedpurposelc?si=LmHx-ZxnbNWq7WSM
