Kids overlooked? Not on Angela Taylor's watch. This former teacher built LCB Tutoring to empower 106 families with personalized, hands-on learning. VELA's reinvestment helps her scale this vital Indie Education solution. Own your education.
From 20 students to 300 in four years. Three buildings outgrown. Families driving 60+ minutes to get there.
Jennifer McConnell built The Curve: Nashville's Homeschool Enrichment because homeschool families wanted community.
This is Indie Education.
VELA Founder Justine Wilson of Curious and Kind Education in Florida landed on local ABC news. Suncoast Remake Learning Days wraps fifth year with 380 free events. Indie Education is everywhere.
Watch now: https://t.co/kD7kkjCsDp
She couldn't find a school that fit rural life. So Kelly Barr built Upcountry Academy, located in CA. She's tripled enrollment and is now expanding online for families who've never had access to anything like it.
This is Indie Education.
Five cities. One purpose. VELA Connect 2026 is coming to D.C. (Aug 4-5), Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Registration opens in June. We can't wait to see you there.
The biggest Indie Education event just got BIGGER! π₯
Introducing VELA Connect 2026: one event, five cities! Washington, D.C., Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, San Francisco. The most important convening in Indie Education is coming to YOU.
First up: Washington, D.C., August 4-5, 2026. Registration opens in June. Get ready!
This is Indie Education.
Something exciting is coming next week. π
This has been in the works for a long time, and we cannot wait to finally share it with you!
Stay tuned - announcement on Tuesday, 5/26! β¨
The VELA mobile app hit 5,000 users this week, a milestone that reflects thousands of families and founders actively taking charge of their education rather than waiting for reform. This is Indie Education.
Tobin Slaven decided the traditional school system wasn't good enough for his own five kids. So he and his wife built something better, Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale. Four years in: Gold Status 3 years running, 90% retention, growing toward 100+ learners who do hard things and earn new levels of freedom every day. This is Indie Education.
VELA awarded 48 microgrants across 27 states in March, totaling $455,000.
The dominant story? Demand. Waitlists. Full classrooms. 100% re-enrollment. Families voting with their wallets, year after year.
This is Indie Education. And it's not slowing down.
Outdoor education is booming! Families are choosing flexible, hands-on learning. Case in point: Carolina Kids Co-op started with 12 kids, and now serves ~1,000 across 4 states. VELA invested to help this model multiply. This is Indie Education.
Full @StandTogether storyπ
Felicia Rattray couldn't find a school that truly saw her autistic child. So she built one.
Permission to Succeed: a microschool where neurodivergent and neurotypical kids learn without judgment, grow at their own pace, and take ownership of their journey.
VELA's reinvestment is helping them expand.
Over 40 VELA Founders attended the National Hybrid Schools Conference. More than half were on panels.
The message was clear: Indie Education is not fringe. It's the future.
Join us in shaping the future of education. Download the VELA app today!
85β95% retention. Zero advertising. 70-student waitlist.
When homeschool families call your program "family," you've found what families are looking for. Greenhouse Christian Learning proves faith-based hybrid programs can thrive.
This is Indie Education.
This student wanted to build a rocket for a school project. His school connected him with actual engineering experts to make it happen, with the help of @VELAorg.
Microschools are surging because families are done waiting for reform.
MSN highlights the surge, featuring VELA founders Hannah Holguin of Masterpiece Academy, Amanda Lucas of Lucas Literacy Lab, Lisa Swinson of Creative Microschool, Justine Wilson of Curious and Kind Education, and Eric Threeton of Nevada School of Inquiry.
They're leading the Indie Education movement, proving families want personalized, demand-driven learning.
Read more: https://t.co/FGB8oYkK0Y
Every child deserves nature-rooted, creativity-fueled learning regardless of income or neurotype.
Kendra Maister built The Indie Sol Enrichment around that belief. 120+ students. 2 locations. Consistent waitlists.
VELA's reinvestment fuels facility expansion to serve even more learners.