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neoschool Missoula, Montana · Opening Sept 2026 Apply Now →

Built by the community, for the community

A microschool built for how kids actually learn.

neoschool brings together the best of classroom instruction and AI-adaptive learning. Add hands-on life skills and real outdoor play, and kids have the time and space to grow their curiosity, confidence, and resilience.

Kindergarten + 1st Grade Mixed-Age Learning 10–12 students / class Project-Based

A day at neoschool

🌳
Morning
play
30 min
🧠
Personalized
academics
2 hrs9–11am
🍎
Outdoor play
+ lunch
1.5 hrs11–12:30pm
🎨
Real projects
+ life skills
3 hrs12:30–3:30pm
☀️
Outdoor
play
1 hr3:30–4:30pm

The neoschool experience

🧠

Personalized Academics

Two focused hours blending AI-adaptive learning with proven classroom best practices: peer instruction, small-group activities, and real-time instructor feedback. Brain breaks between subjects.

🔨

Real-World Projects

Hands-on projects that connect classroom learning to the world outside. Make, build, present, have fun.

🍳

Life Skills Workshops

Real-world skills that build confident, capable, independent kids. Workshops rotate throughout the year with community experts and local Missoula partners.

🍳 Cooking
💰 Financial literacy
💼 Entrepreneurship
🎤 Public speaking
🧘 Emotion regulation
🦌 Survival skills
🌳

Outdoor Play + Sports

Unstructured time outside and sports every day. Dedicated forest days. Movement and free play improve attention.

🚵 Mountain biking
🏊 Swimming
🥾 Hiking
⚽ Soccer
⛷️ Skiing
🤸 Gymnastics

Meet the founder

After considering traditional and alternative Kindergarten options for my son, I realized there was an opportunity to create a microschool where kids learn core academics at their own level and pace, and life skills that build real-world confidence and independence.

So I invited experienced educators (including Esther Wojcicki, educator and author of How to Raise Successful People), a community of families, and seasoned edtech entrepreneurs — the content providers behind AI tutors used by millions of students — to co-build the school we've all been dreaming of.

The first one opens in Missoula, where my kids are growing up as second generation Montanans. We'd love for your family to be part of it.

— Jennie Yang

When parents and educators come together to design a school around how kids actually learn — curious, hands-on, outside, alongside trusted adults — you get a generation that's confident, kind, and ready for whatever comes next.

— Esther Wojcicki · Educator, author of How to Raise Successful People · advisor to neoschool

What's inside neoschool

🎯Powered by TRICK

Esther Wojcicki's proven framework for raising confident, self-directed kids

🍎Experienced educators

Passionate and engaging educators guide students through their learning journey

📚Educational library

Project-based learning games trusted by millions of kids online

🏫1000+ schools

Already use our content providers in daily teaching

🤝Community

Family events, parent coaching, and drop-in half days for homeschoolers

📍Missoula, MT

Local roots, community-built, stewarded by a second-generation Missoulian family

The learning science behind neoschool

2× learning gains

AI tutoring produces 2× learning gains.

Kestin et al., Scientific Reports, 2025

10–18 min per subject

A kindergartner's attention span is roughly 10–18 minutes. Our short academic cycles with brain breaks are designed around this reality.

Waterford.org, 2024

Learn by doing

Project-based learning students outperform peers academically and develop stronger critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.

Lucas Education Research, 2021–22 · Ferrero et al. 2021

Being outside = better attention

Outdoor play improves attention in the classroom vs. indoor play. 3+ hrs/day linked to better school readiness.

Koepp et al. 2022 · ScienceDirect 2024

Admissions & Enrollment

What to expect

A simple, personal four-step process. We're a small founding cohort — every family matters.

1

Submit Application

2

Meet with the Founder of neoschool Missoula

3

Finalize Enrollment

4

Welcome to the neoschool Founding Family Community

Important Details

📚 Enrollment
Open for Kindergarten and 1st Grade
💰 Tuition
$15,000 per school year ($1,500 per month)
🕐 School Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
📅 School Year
September 2026 – June 2027
🗓️ First Tuition Payment
Due September 1, 2026
🔒 Deposit
Once admission is offered, a $500 deposit secures your child's spot — refundable until July 1, 2026. Deducted from the first month's tuition payment.
📆 Monthly Payments
10 equal payments, September through June
💉 Immunization Requirements
neoschool requires all students to comply with immunization requirements mandated by the Montana Department of Health. Each student must provide immunization records or an approved exemption before enrollment. Exemptions must adhere to Montana state guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

Good questions, honest answers

Click any question. If yours isn't here, email Jennie.

The neoschool model

Where is neoschool Missoula located?
We are finalizing our location — central in town or in the lower Rattlesnake. We'll share the exact address with admitted families as soon as it's confirmed.
Is the neoschool model proven?
Yes. The 2-hour academics model is used by microschools nationally with strong outcomes on third-party assessments. The AI tutoring component is backed by a 2025 Harvard RCT (Kestin et al., Scientific Reports) showing AI tutoring produces 2× learning gains vs. best-practice classroom instruction. Our project-based learning approach is supported by Lucas Education Research (2021–2022). We collect our own data from day one and share results openly with our community.
Will kids be sitting on screens for 2 hours straight?
Not at all. The 2-hour academic block at neoschool Missoula is a series of short, mastery-based cycles, typically 10–15 minutes per subject, with brain breaks and movement built in between. Students rotate between instructor-led small groups, independent AI-adaptive practice, and hands-on activities. Screens are one tool among many.
How long is the neoschool day?
The neoschool day runs 8:30am–4:30pm, fully included in tuition, so no separate childcare is needed. The afternoon is filled with real projects, life skills workshops, outdoor play, and sports. neoschool Missoula is designed to work for working families.
What is the neoschool attendance policy?
Flexible. Family vacations and life happen, and we don't penalize families for them. Students can stay on track during time away through the neoschool digital platform from anywhere.

Academics

Do students at neoschool Missoula still learn reading, math, and science?
Absolutely. Reading, writing, math, and science are the foundation of the 2-hour daily academic block. What's different is how: AI tutors adapt to each child's exact level and pace, so a student who is ahead in math and behind in reading gets a different experience than their classmate. Every child gets a personalized curriculum, not a one-size-fits-all classroom.
Do students really learn more in only 2 hours a day?
The research says yes. A 2025 Harvard RCT found AI tutoring produces 2× learning gains compared to best-practice classroom instruction. Traditional school days are long, but most of that time is lost to transitions, classroom management, and waiting. neoschool focuses on high-quality, high-engagement learning in short, mastery-based cycles.
Is neoschool Missoula an online school?
No. neoschool is a physical campus in Missoula, Montana with on-site educators, real classrooms, outdoor space, and a full school day. It is not a virtual school or homeschool program, though we do offer part-time drop-in enrollment for homeschooling families.

AI & Technology

Is the AI tutor replacing the teacher at neoschool?
No. For Kindergarten and 1st grade, neoschool is instructor-led first. Our educators are in the room every day, leading small-group instruction, providing real-time feedback, and building relationships with students. The AI tutor supplements — adapting practice to each child's level and pace — freeing educators to spend more time mentoring, connecting, and inspiring.
How does neoschool approach AI safety for young children?
Thoughtfully. We use age-appropriate, education-specific AI tools, not general-purpose chatbots. Screen time is intentional and time-limited. We follow COPPA guidelines, never use student data for advertising, and are transparent with families about every tool we use. Our goal is a healthy, empowered, age-appropriate relationship with technology.

Life skills

Why does neoschool Missoula focus on life skills?
Because the world our kids are growing up in demands more than academic knowledge. Financial literacy, emotion regulation, communication, entrepreneurship, cooking, gardening, and survival skills aren't extras — they're the foundation of a capable, confident, independent human. And Missoula is the perfect place to teach them.
What life skills workshops can families expect at neoschool?
Workshops rotate throughout the year and include cooking, gardening, survival skills, financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship, emotion regulation, and more. We bring in community experts and local Missoula partners. Families always know what's coming and are welcome to suggest topics.

Application, enrollment & tuition

How much does it cost to apply to neoschool Missoula?
Nothing. Applying is completely free.
What does neoschool tuition cover?
Full tuition covers the complete school day (8:30am–4:30pm), all academic instruction, AI tutor access, life skills workshops, healthy snacks, sports, forest days, field trips, project and maker materials, and access to the neoschool digital platform. No hidden fees.
I'm a Missoula homeschooling family. Does neoschool offer part-time enrollment?
Yes. Half-day drop-in enrollment includes access to life skills workshops, outdoor play, and the neoschool community. It's designed for homeschooling families in Missoula who want their kids to benefit from the neoschool experience without switching from their current academic setup. Reach out to learn more about part-time enrollment options.
I have more questions about neoschool Missoula. Who can I contact?
We'd love to hear from you. Email Jennie directly at jennie@chiefmamaofficer.com.

Become a founding family

Apply for 2026–2027

Kindergarten + 1st Grade · Limited spots available. We'll respond within 24 hours.

FREE

The application is completely free.

No fees to apply. No commitment until you accept admission.

Tuition includes everything

No surprise fees. No extras to buy.

🕐 Full school day · 8:30am–4:30pm
📚 All academic instruction
🤖 AI tutor
💼 Life skills workshops
🍎 Healthy snacks
⚽ Sports
🌲 Forest days & field trips
🎨 Project & maker materials
✦ neoschool digital platform
🌳 Enrichment & experts

01 · Parent

02 · Child

03 · Fit

04 · Learning support

Does your child currently have an IEP, 504 Plan, or other learning or behavior support plan? *

If yes, you'll be asked to upload documentation during enrollment.

05 · Acknowledgments

Not ready to apply yet?

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