MicroSociety

Bringing real life to learning one school at a time! 📚✏️🗺 What’s more, they begin in kindergarten!

MicroSociety day and after-school programs make learning meaningful to kids' lives by engaging them - and their communities - in dynamic student-created societies. Young entrepreneurs produce goods and services, elected officials establish laws, CrimeStoppers keep the peace, judges arbitrate disputes and reporters track down stories. All citizens earn wages in the school’s currency, invest in prod

uct ideas, deposit and borrow money from banks, and pay taxes, tuition and rent. The magic happens during "Micro Time," typically an hour each day, but the lessons are reinforced all day during classroom instruction. Our students not only learn 21st century skills, they practice them in class and “on the job” every day. By providing children many opportunities for success, MicroSociety unlocks the extraordinary in every child. Teachers teach differently and students want to succeed - and do! Our approach tackles key problems that plague American classrooms today. MicroSociety increases academic achievement, promotes responsible citizenship, reduces violence and drop-out rates, prepares tomorrow's workforce and teaches financial literacy.

08/28/2026

Scenes from our recent MicroSociety training at Clairton Elementary School in Pittsburgh!

Participants explored “Why Micro, Why Now?” by looking at generational timelines, the skills Generation Alpha will need, and the importance of creating authentic MicroSociety experiences in the classroom.

During a SWOT activity, teams reflected on the changes from last year to this year, celebrated the growth they’ve seen, and identified new opportunities for continued improvement.

From there, they worked on connecting MicroSociety organization objectives to campus goals and student needs while designing departments and roles that support meaningful student work.

We loved seeing the collaboration, reflection, and planning happening throughout the training!
Clairton Cares

08/24/2026

“I’m planning on running for president of MicroSociety and need to think about my vision!”
These are the words of a student preparing to lead.
In MicroSociety, students don't just learn about democratic government, they experience it.
They campaign, share ideas, make decisions, and think about the kind of community they want to help create.
That’s civics in action.

Learn more at https://www.microsociety.org/

08/20/2026

“I can’t afford that right now. I have to save my money for taxes.”

In MicroSociety, students don’t just learn about money—they earn it, spend it, budget it, pay taxes, and make real financial decisions.

Along the way, they develop the financial judgment and economic decision-making skills that support lifelong opportunity and economic mobility.

Because some of the most powerful learning happens when the experience feels real.

For more information, visit https://www.microsociety.org/

08/14/2026

We don’t design for more screen time. We design for better learning.

At MicroSociety, every digital tool we create starts with a purpose: helping students think, participate, reflect, collaborate, and connect learning to the real world.

Our 7 Design Principles ensure our technology supports teachers and meaningful learning. It never replaces them.

By enabling short, purposeful digital experiences, accessibility, reflection, real-world application, and digital citizenship, we’re building tools that make students’ time on-screen matter.

Because the best educational technology should lead to more thinking, more doing, and more connection beyond the screen.

For more information, visit https://www.microsociety.org/digital-tools-design-principles/

08/12/2026

Using the summer to build leaders, strengthen communities, and plan for the future.
Our recent coaching visit to St. Philip's Kids' Academy summer camp was an opportunity to celebrate progress, reflect on successes, and work alongside students and staff to strengthen their MicroSociety.
Over two days, we observed the student-led government, reflected on program growth, and heard directly from students about what MicroSociety means to them.

One student said it best:
"It's like a preview of what your future might be. It gives me a better chance of being what I want to be when I grow."

Together, we identified new opportunities, celebrated accomplishments, and developed a shared vision for stronger MicroSociety experience.

Thank you to the students, educators, and school leaders at St. Philip's for your passion and commitment. We can't wait to see what's next!

08/04/2026

Let’s travel back in time to the early 2000’s.

Long before "real-world learning" became a buzzword, MicroSociety classrooms were already giving students the opportunity to lead, collaborate, and learn by doing.

These photos from the early 2000s remind us that while classrooms have evolved, our mission has remained the same: empowering students through authentic, hands-on experiences that prepare them for life beyond school.

For more than 35 years, we've watched generations of students become entrepreneurs, civic leaders, problem-solvers, and confident learners.

Here's to the memories, the milestones, and the future we're continuing to build together.

07/24/2026

What a first half of 2026!

Over the past several months, we've had the opportunity to visit MicroSociety schools across our network and witness something truly inspiring—students taking ownership of their learning.

From student-run businesses and banks to courts, legislatures, Market Days, and leadership activities, every visit reminded us of what's possible when students are given meaningful opportunities to lead.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the schools, educators, students, and families who welcomed us and continue to make MicroSociety such a vibrant community.

Take a look through some of our favorite moments from the first half of 2026!

Which moment is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

07/21/2026

Let's take a look at MicroSociety 2.0 in 30 seconds.

What if students didn’t just learn about digital citizenship, but they practiced it by running a society?

Students run banks, businesses, courts, legislatures, and nonprofits in a digital world.

They build venture websites, manage digital accounts, conduct e-commerce, and discover how decisions, money, and civic systems connect.

It’s hands-on learning, amplified for the world students are entering.

Learn more: https://www.microsociety.org/our-model/microsociety-2-0
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07/06/2026

The MicroSociety Auction is OPEN!!

06/11/2026

HAPPY CHAUTAUQUA!!!!!!!

Address

CIC Labs + Innovation Campus, 3675 Market Street , Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA
19104

Telephone

+12159224006

Website

https://www.microsociety.org/

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