Could starting a microschool be your next step?
Answer five quick questions to see where you are in the journey to starting a school — and exactly what to do next.
✓ Your current Founder Stage
✓ A recommended next step based on where you are
✓ Resources chosen for your stage today
✓ The chance to apply for Catalyst if you’re ready
Catalyst is the first choice for education entrepreneurs wanting to start a microschool
Founders who have participated in the program since inception
The success rate for founders launching a microschool compared to the national average
We support Founders for 2 years after their microschool launches, helping ensure their fullest potential
HOW IT WORKS
Five quick questions. One clear picture
The assessment looks at where you are today — not whether you have it all figured out. Based on your stage in the journey to starting a school, we’ll provide practical action steps for what to do next.
Your commitment
Your intended timeline
Your current progress
Community connections
Interested families
FIND YOUR PATH
Three paths. One assessment tells you which is yours.
JUST EXPLORING
Learn the fundamentals
"I'm curious about microschools and want to know what's really involved."
Your move: Master the basics with our free Microschool Basics course — no cost, no commitment.
BUILDING YOUR IDEA
Make a plan
"I want to start a school, but my plan isn't fully shaped yet."
Your move: Sharpen your concept, test demand with families, and get ready to apply to Catalyst.
READY TO START
Learn the fundamentals
"I know what I'm building and I've already taken steps to make it real."
Your move: Apply to Catalyst — our program for founders ready to build their school.
WHAT IS KAIPOD?
Keep your independence. Get expert support.
KaiPod is the nation’s fastest-growing network for independent microschools. You keep full control of your school — the vision, the model, the students. We bring the expertise, tools, and community to help you open it, and keep it thriving.
Expertise
Guidance from founders and operators who have launched real schools.
Tools
Tested frameworks and templates, plus Newton, our microschool management platform.
Community
A national network of hundreds of founders building alongside you.
KaiPod Catalyst: The premier program for launching a microschool.
Catalyst is KaiPod’s selective program for serious founders ready to turn their plans into a viable, launch-ready school. Over a 12-week Build Phase and the launch work that follows, you build your actual school — vision, families, finances, operations, curriculum, and opening day — with proven systems and expert guidance.
FORMAT
Cohort-based, virtual
A 12-week Build Phase in six two-week cycles, plus launch support.
COMMITMENT
~10 hours a week
Weekly live sessions, lessons, and real school-building milestones.
OUTCOME
A school ready to open
You finish the course phase ~80% ready to open. Not just a plan on a shelf.
Have questions? Book a free call with a Catalyst specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About KaiPod Catalyst
What exactly is KaiPod Catalyst?
KaiPod Catalyst is a structured program that helps educators and founders start a microschool—or figure out early and honestly whether that path is right for them.
Who is Catalyst designed for?
Catalyst is built for educators, school leaders, and community founders who want to create smaller, more personal learning environments for students.
How long does the program last?
KaiPod offers cohorts in November, January, and March – all to help you open your microschool in back-to-school season. Catalyst is designed to guide you through the full early-stage journey, from exploration and planning through becoming enrollment-ready. When you decide to open your school, you become part of KaiPod’s Partner Network with continued support for a small revenue share for two years after you open.
Do I need to have a fully formed school idea before enrolling?
No. Many KaiPod Catalyst founders start with a rough idea or a sense that they want something different from traditional schooling. The program is designed to help you clarify your vision and turn it into a workable plan.
How much does Catalyst cost?
You have two options:
The first includes a low upfront fee for Catalyst that costs $249. This includes access to all training, tools, coaching, and community support. When you decide to open your school, KaiPod continues to support you for 2 years for 10% share of tuition revenue.
Or you may select the fixed fee option of $15,000, which is spread between $5,000 upfront, $5,000 when your school opens, and $5,000 during your second year of operation.
What happens if I enroll but decide not to open a microschool?
You’re never obligated to open a school. If you don’t open, you don’t owe any revenue share. You’ll still benefit from the planning, guidance, and clarity you gain through the program.
Is Catalyst self-paced or live?
The Catalyst program includes both self-paced content and live group coaching sessions, so you get flexibility plus real-time support.
Does Catalyst help me with funding?
Catalyst helps you understand the funding landscape for microschools and plan realistically for your situation. You’ll learn about common funding paths, how founders think about budgets and cash flow, and how to assess financial viability early.
While Catalyst does not provide direct funding, it equips you with the tools, frameworks, and guidance needed to plan, pursue, and manage funding options responsibly as you build your school.
Do I have to use a specific curriculum or teaching model?
No. KaiPod Catalyst supports a wide range of school models and educational approaches. You design the learning environment, curriculum, and structure that fit your students and your goals.
Does Catalyst help with enrollment and operations?
Yes. Catalyst includes guidance on both the operational and enrollment sides of starting a microschool. This includes a comprehensive marketing course designed to help founders build an enrollment pipeline for their school, spending about 15 minutes each day—covering positioning, outreach, and practical strategies for reaching families.
You’ll also work through operational considerations like budgeting, timelines, and systems needed to run your school, with tools and support to help you apply what you’re learning to your own context. That includes access to Newton, KaiPod’s all-in-one microschool management software.
Can I do the Catalyst program while working full time or teaching?
Yes, the program was designed to require about 10 hours per week, so the pace is manageable for those who are working while planning their school. The program is structured with clear milestones and flexibility, so you can make steady progress without putting the rest of your life on hold.
What kind of support do I receive after my school opens?
When you launch your microschool, your support doesn’t end — it shifts.
Your KaiPod Catalyst membership rolls into becoming a KaiPod Partner Network school. You’ll be supported with ongoing tools, community access, and guidance designed to help you grow sustainably, including:
Dedicated Partner Support – You’ll work with a Partner Success Manager who knows your school and helps you think through real-world decisions, from enrollment strategy to hiring, pricing, and expansion.
Newton: Your All-in-One School Operations Platform – Continued support with the most widely used microschool management platform in the country. Newton helps you manage:
Enrollment and applications
Billing and tuition collection
ESA tracking (where applicable)
Attendance
Family communication
Founder Community Access – You remain connected to a national network of microschool founders. Whether you’re navigating compliance questions, refining your program, or planning growth, you have peers to lean on.
Enrollment & Marketing Support Opening is one milestone — sustaining enrollment year after year is another. You receive guidance on positioning, tuition strategy, messaging, and marketplace visibility to help keep your seats filled. Plus, your school will be listed in our widely used Microschool Directory for families.
Compliance & Growth Guidance – Regulatory questions don’t stop after launch. You receive support navigating licensing, zoning, accreditation pathways, and long-term planning as your school evolves.
Opening your microschool is the beginning. The Partner Network exists to help you build something stable, sustainable, and aligned with your vision over time.
Catalyst is the first choice for education entrepreneurs wanting to start a microschool
Founders who have participated in the program since inception
The success rate for founders launching a microschool compared to the national average
We support Founders for 2 years after their microschool launches, helping ensure their fullest potential
Real Stories from Catalyst Founders
