A New Orleans Microschool Success Story

On this episode of LiberatED, host Kerry McDonald sits down with Emily Barnitz, founder of Zoe Learning House, a fast-growing hybrid homeschool program in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Emily shares her journey from being homeschooled herself to becoming a public school teacher—and ultimately launching Zoe Learning House in fall 2024 with just 10 students in her living room. Eighteen months later, the program now serves 50 students across kindergarten through fourth grade, with plans to expand to fifth grade while maintaining small class sizes and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio.

The conversation explores Zoe's Charlotte Mason–inspired, hands-on learning model; flexible enrollment options for families; and the intentional decision to prioritize educational quality over rapid scaling. Emily also offers practical insights for aspiring education entrepreneurs—on starting small, building visibility through word-of-mouth and SEO, navigating state homeschool regulations, and staying grounded in your "why" as your program grows.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, homeschoolers, and founders interested in hybrid learning models that are both sustainable and deeply student-centered.

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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!