From Homeschooling to Microschooling: Bonnie Bradshaw on Building Royal Oak Academy

In this episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Bonnie Bradshaw, a longtime homeschool mom and the founder of Royal Oak Academy, a student-centered K-7 microschool in Suffolk, Virginia.

Bonnie shares how her years of homeschooling shaped her educational philosophy and ultimately inspired her to create a learning environment that prioritizes curiosity, autonomy, and individual growth. She discusses the transition from educating her own children at home to launching a microschool that now serves a broader community of families seeking alternatives to conventional schooling.

The conversation explores what it means to design education around students rather than systems, the practical realities of starting and sustaining a microschool, and why more parents and educators are choosing entrepreneurial paths to create meaningful, joyful learning spaces.

This episode is a must-listen for homeschooling families, aspiring microschool founders, and anyone interested in the growing movement toward learner-centered education.

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Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!