What is Love + Choice Learning Collective?
We are a nonprofit microschool and learning community grounded in love, identity affirmation, and liberatory education. We center the needs of children through culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and student-centered learning.
What ages or grade levels do you serve?
We currently serve students in First grade through Fifth grade. Our model is multi-age and project-based, with learning experiences tailored to each child’s development and interests.
Where is your microschool located?
Love + Choice Learning Collective is based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. We are currently exploring our physical learning space options in either Hampton or Newport News and will share location details with enrolled families and interested community members as soon as possible (anticipated in Spring 2026). Our learning environment will be intentionally small, safe, and rooted in community.
What makes your microschool different from traditional and other microschools?
Love + Choice Learning Collective is rooted in love, identity, and liberation. Unlike many traditional schools, we reject standardized, test-driven models in favor of student-led, culturally grounded, and relational learning. And while some microschools focus on innovation or flexibility, we go further, by centering the lived experiences of our students children and building deep partnerships with families and community. Our approach honors both academic growth and whole-child wellness, ensuring learners feel seen, safe, and celebrated.
Is Love + Choice Learning Collective a homeschool, private school, or something else?
We are a microschool, a small, community-rooted learning environment that blends the best of homeschooling and private schooling with a liberatory framework. As a nonprofit, we are mission-driven and aim to keep tuition accessible for families.
Who founded your microschool and why?
Love + Choice Learning Collective was co-founded by sisters Dr. Avina I. Ross and Ms. Avencia I. Ross, inspired by personal experiences navigating public education with children and the lack of identity-affirming and needs-focused learning options in Hampton Roads. We created this school to be the space we always needed, for our children and yours.
What subjects or curriculum do you use?
We support strong academic foundations in literacy, math, science, and social studies, while also teaching cultural studies, the arts, social-emotional learning, and problem-solving. We are currently building a multifaceted curriculum that blends Virginia state standards, core academic subjects, culturally relevant objectives and content, and educational frameworks rooted in liberation, identity, and inquiry. This curriculum will be customized to the unique needs, interests, and identities of our enrolled students, ensuring learning is both rigorous and deeply affirming.
What is your approach to discipline and behavior?
We do not use traditional discipline models based on punishment, deficit-centered models, nor negative reinforcement. Instead, we practice restorative, relational, and trauma-informed approaches that focus on accountability, emotional intelligence, forgiveness.
How can families get involved?
Families are essential to our learning community. We welcome input, partnership, donation, and participation, whether that’s volunteering, attending events, or co-creating learning experiences with us. We believe education is a family and community effort. Please connect with us!
How much does it cost to attend?
As a nonprofit, we are committed to making our school financially accessible to families. We are currently exploring funding options to offer scholarships and/or a sliding scale tuition model that reflects our values of equity and community care. We anticipate finalizing a dedicated tuition rate or scale by spring 2026. In the meantime, we welcome conversations with interested families about affordability and partnership.