When Katie Kilgore took a job at a microschool that prioritizes self-directed learning, she had no idea where it would lead her. Her career had taken her through real estate, owning a women’s clothing store, paralegal work, and, eventually, seven years in private school administration. But the microschool opened her eyes to what education could look like.
When she saw her child struggling with anxiety and stress in fourth and fifth grade, she had an epiphany. “The Lord just impressed upon my heart, you don’t have to settle, you can actually do something different for your kids. And that was kind of when I was like, ‘What, me? I’m supposed to do this?’” she recalls. “So I think my kids were the biggest inspiration.”
Three Cords Academy was the result of that epiphany. It launched in 2024 with four children from three founding families. Now in its second year, the school serves nine students aged 8–13, meeting Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a small church in Carrollton, Georgia. Fridays are reserved for independent work, service projects, or field trips.
The school takes a flexible approach. They start with a launch time, where Katie asks the kids a discussion question, or they just have a casual group conversation to share how they’re doing and what’s going on that day. Then they pray and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before diving into academics. Math and English language arts happen at each student’s own pace in the mornings, with a recess break in between. Afternoons bring unit studies, expert speakers, and enrichment activities. Students recently completed a military unit and attended a Veterans’ Day program. They’ve studied astronomy, read C.S. Lewis, and worked through hands-on science labs.
Thursdays are unique—the school rotates between two families’ farms, where students can feed chickens, goats, and cows, learn pottery, take piano lessons, and enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. “We try to keep it less screen time, more outside time, more playtime, and more enrichment on those days,” Katie says.
While they do their best to meet each child’s individual needs, Katie is honest about her limitations. For example, she has one 12-year-old student who works below grade level academically. When his parents approached the school, Katie told them she didn’t have the skill set for what he needs. But they disagreed, explaining, “He needs a loving environment where he can build his confidence, where people will love him for who he is, and he just needs a community. The academics will come when they’re going to come.” The student has thrived, showing tremendous growth this year.
Having come from a competitive private school environment, Katie appreciates the collaborative approach she has found in the microschooling world. “I love that about the microschool community,” she reflects. “It’s not like their idea is sacred and their own idea. They really want to share it and hope that you can grab a piece of it that you can kind of reinvent for yourself.”
The school operates as a registered homeschool program in Georgia, but recently achieved 501(c)(3) status. This approach gives families flexibility with curriculum and pacing while building toward something bigger. Katie envisions eventually serving 50 students across all age levels—small enough that everyone knows everyone, but large enough to create a solid community.
The path hasn’t been without challenges. Katie admits to lying awake some nights, worrying about getting it right. Despite that, she says it’s been worth it. “Surround yourself with a good team and just go for it,” is her advice to anyone considering a similar undertaking. “Make adjustments as you need to make adjustments and have grace. Ask for help.” Joining networks to connect with other founders has been hugely beneficial.
Something she recently read sums it up well for Katie: “It’s not a failure if you tried. But if you never tried, that’s the failure because you just never did it.”