Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug 13, 2024 – Traditional schooling isn’t for everyone. Alternative education for children is becoming more and more common, as all children learn best at different paces, styles, and environments, all unique to the child. Not only that, but it is extremely successful and is now available right here in Brookland.
ACRES, an acronym for Aspire, Create, Revolutionize, Explore, Succeed, is more than just a school—it’s a vision for personalized, community-driven education. Nestled on 7.5 acres of land in Craighead County, between Brookland and Paragould, Arkansas, ACRES uses its natural surroundings to enhance the learning experience. The school integrates outdoor explorations with structured learning, offering students a unique blend of traditional education and hands-on experiences in the pasture, woods, and creek on the property.
The journey to founding ACRES began after over a decade of experience in education. Founded by Lauren McDaniel-Carter, who started her career teaching high school in rural Arkansas. She moved on to various teaching roles in Memphis, including Germantown High School and Nettleton High School, where she taught history and English. But 11 years of teaching and the impact of COVID-19 on education ended up leaving her feeling burnt out and considering something different. Her husband suggested exploring the concept of a “learning pod,” which sparked her discovery of a national movement of educators creating microschools.
Inspired by this idea, she came up with the idea to begin ACRES school, where the mission is to meet each student where they are and help them grow into individuals who can positively influence the world around them. ACRES focuses on building a strong foundation in reading and math while encouraging students to explore their individual strengths and interests through project-based learning. This approach becomes increasingly self-directed as students mature, allowing them to take charge of their education and pursue their passions.
In the spring of 2023, ACRES began marketing to the community and officially launched in August with 11 students, including her own two children. Initially, classes were held in the upstairs of their newly built farmhouse. Despite some fluctuations in enrollment due to families moving out of the area, they ended the year with eight students who had formed a close-knit community.
Interest in ACRES grew rapidly in the community. By February of 2024, she began fielding inquiries for the 2024-25 school year and the school quickly filled its available slots. To accommodate the increasing demand, they expanded their facilities by dividing the upstairs of the farmhouse into two classrooms and converting a shipping container into an additional classroom. This expansion allowed them to start the 2024-25 school year with 26 students and three learning guides across three multi-age classrooms.
“Although I will not be serving as a learning guide this year, my focus will be on the administrative side of ACRES, ensuring smooth operations and planning for the future”, states McDaniel-Carter. “Our vision remains steadfast: to provide an educational environment where students are encouraged to explore, create, and succeed on their own terms.”
Currently, ACRES is not accepting new students for the upcoming school year, but interested families can join the wait list if space becomes available during the year. Enrollment information for the 2025-26 school year will be released in early 2025.
To learn more about ACRES and their educational philosophy, visit their website growwithacres.com where Lauren has documented the planning stages and shared insights into their journey in a blog. The blog also includes photos of space, showcasing the unique environment they’ve created for their students.