Elizabeth City's Airbnb Microschool Pioneers AI-Driven Learning
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank district is pioneering a unique educational model with its Airbnb microschool. This innovative venture aims to foster emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial skills through project-based learning, using artificial intelligence for instruction.
The microschool, located in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, North Carolina, is one of several work-focused microschools the district is piloting. It serves 26 students from the area and will function as a 'beachhead' for AI-based learning, courtesy of Khanmigo's AI tutor.
Microschools have been growing in popularity in North Carolina, with over 157,642 students opting for homeschooling during the 2023-2024 school year. Elijah, a rising sixth grader, was initially uncertain about joining this new educational format. Despite being identified as academically gifted in third grade and selected for a reading program, Elijah had recently plateaued in his reading progress. However, his enthusiasm grew when he discovered the microschool's hands-on component: running a LinkedIn in partnership with the local Water Street Real Estate Company.
Elijah secured his seat in the microschool via a lottery system, with his mother learning about the opportunity through her work in the district. The LinkedIn microschool is not just an experiment in AI-driven learning but also a testament to how public schools can adapt to better serve their communities' needs, as praised by some superintendents.
