Joyful Learning

How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling

Regular Price $30.00

Regular Price $40.00 CAD

Regular Price $30.00

Regular Price $40.00 CAD

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On Sale

Aug 19, 2025

Page Count

336 Pages

ISBN-13

9781541705524

Description

From the bestselling author of Unschooled, an exploration of new, low-cost K–12 learning models that favor individualized, learner-centered education

Across the United States, parents, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and ordinary citizens are increasingly frustrated by the rigidity and standardization of modern schooling, and they are seeking alternatives. Openness to different learning models reached new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to accelerate.

Entrepreneurial parents and teachers are responding to the growing demand for learning models that challenge the status quo. They are creating micro schools, learning pods, homeschooling collaboratives, online learning networks, and other flexible educational models that provide specialized, individualized education, often at a lower cost than traditional private schools. Joyful Learning shares the experiences of these everyday entrepreneurs who are reimagining learning in their communities, showing parents what is possible for their children and encouraging aspiring school founders to take their own enterprising leaps. Blending fresh storytelling with straightforward advice, Joyful Learning is an inspiring, relevant, and timely book for parents looking for different education options for their children, as well as would-be education entrepreneurs hoping to launch their own creative learning solutions. 

Praise

“Kerry McDonald’s vision for education entrepreneurship is both inspiring and urgent. This book is the roadmap for anyone tired of the status quo and ready to make a difference in how we teach the next generation.” —John Mackey, cofounder of Whole Foods Market and New York Times–bestselling author of Conscious Capitalism
“With her rich background in economics and education policy, and her experience as a mother of four, Kerry McDonald is the perfect person to document today’s schooling revolution. I recommend Joyful Learning to all parents seeking the best educational opportunities for their children, to all enterprising souls who want to help provide those opportunities, and to anyone interested in understanding the future of American education.” —Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn
“It’s hard not to feel like we’re at the dawn of a new era when you read this book, pulsing with ideas, makers, dreamers and plenty of plain old fed-up parents who decided it was time to change the world by changing the way kids get educated. Want to be amazed and inspired and hopeful? Want to see just how wide the word 'school' can stretch? Want to nurse that glimmer of 'I can do it, too,' flickering in your heart of hearts? Dig in!” —Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids
“The way we teach our kids is stuck in the past. Illuminating and deeply reported, Joyful Learning thoughtfully considers the innovative educational models being pioneered by parents and teachers frustrated with one-size-fits-all schooling, and offers helpful advice to parents seeking outside-the-box learning opportunities for their children.” —Todd Rose, author of Collective Illusions
Joyful Learning reveals the possibilities that arise when we break free from traditional educational constraints and champion a future where every child can thrive on their terms, shining a particular spotlight on Black school founders whose resilience and commitment to education reform are both inspiring and instructive.” —Denisha Allen, founder of Black Minds Matter
“A fair-minded exploration of how fed-up parents, despondent teachers, and other concerned citizens are reimagining what schooling looks like in today’s America—and how you can get involved in the ongoing education revolution.” —Corey DeAngelis, author of The Parent Revolution
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