Embark Center for Self-Directed Education

10/06/2026

September wrap-up! Classes, friends, adventures, and so much more! It’s been a great first month back!

09/30/2026

Thank you Virginia Microschools Network for featuring Embark Center for Self-Directed Education and our founder, Andrea Cubelo-McKay, in this article about our program and other microschools in our state!

A yellow school bus that doubles as a classroom. A school where students help decide who gets hired. Classes grouped by ability instead of age.

These are real Virginia microschools, and each was founded by a former teacher who saw a better way to help children learn.

In Norfolk, Sarah Harrington's Solstice Hybrid Academy takes students on a field trip every day aboard a renovated bus, with stops ranging from college-level science labs to animal rescues.

In Leesburg, Andrea Cubelo-McKay runs the Embark Center for Self-Directed Education as a sociocracy, where students and staff share an equal voice in decisions large and small.

In Yorktown, Mercedes Grant Path of Life Learning Learning places students by ability in each subject so every child moves at their own pace, all within a Christian environment.

Three very different models share one conviction: education should bend to fit the student, not the other way around. That is permissionless education at work across the Commonwealth.

Virginia needs more schools like these, and we are here to help them grow!

Read their stories: (Article by James Eustis) https://virginiamicroschools.org/news/the-small-schools-bringing-innovation-to-education

09/18/2026

What does the first week of Embark Center look like?

Reconnecting with old friends, welcoming new ones, proposing classes and field trips, Community Meetings, mentor meetings, games, pizza, walks around downtown Leesburg, inside (and outside!) jokes, and so much more!

Students at Embark Center create the year they're about to experience. But what does that mean?

Check out our newest blog post to see what self-directed education looks like in practice and how we begin our year with intention, community, and fun.

Link in comments.

09/13/2026

And we’re back! 💖

Our first week was busy with orientation meetings, setting up our schedule of classes and circle meetings, exploring downtown Leesburg, catching up with old friends and making new ones! Here’s to a great 2026-2027!!!

09/07/2026

We’re unstoppable! Here are our memories from last year (2025-2026) just in time for our first day of our tenth year tomorrow! Will you be there?

What were your favorite memories from last year? Post them below!

09/06/2026

What a fantastic year 2024-2025 was! Field trips, classes, puppies, and, best of all, we welcomed Michael on board as a program advisor!

Students, alumni, staff, volunteers, families, and other supporters, post your favorite memories below! ⬇️

09/04/2026

We’re getting closer to Tuesday, September 8th!

Check out our favorite memories from 2023-2024!

Carving pumpkins, making friends, field trips, classes, going to New York to see the eclipse, and celebrating volunteers and each other! It was a wonderful year!

Were you there? Comment below! ⬇️

09/03/2026

Ah! Who’s getting excited for the start of our 10th year in only 5 days! 🥳

Here are some favorite memories from 2022-2023!

Baking bread, making marshmallow peep dioramas, visiting museums and zoos and farms, and learning, gaming, and socializing with friends!

Alumni, staff, volunteers, families, and other supporters, post your favorite memories below! ⬇️

09/02/2026

Memories from 2021-2022! 🥰

Our fifth year was filled with visits to museums, parks, and local businesses, student-centered governance and classes, and chess!

Current students, alumni, staff, volunteers, families, and other supporters, post your favorite memories below! ⬇️