In a quiet cottage off South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, something new is taking shape. It is not a traditional school or a tutoring center. It is something different. The Gathering Place is South Florida’s first all-girls microschool and learning lab, opening at a time when families are thinking deeply about what education should look like.
Founded by Jamaican-born educator Nadine Smith, The Gathering Place began as a homeschool umbrella and cooperative in Capitol Heights, Maryland. It served a small group of girls and their families who wanted an approach that was more personalized, joyful, and rooted in identity. After years of supporting homeschoolers and leading enrichment programs, Smith moved to Fort Lauderdale. She is now launching a full microschool model with part-time and full-time options for girls ages 5 to 17.
Smith has decades of experience in education, including her most recent role as principal of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, DC—the first public high school in the United States for African American students. She understands the school system deeply.
“Traditional school works for some children,” Smith says. “But for many others, it does not. I saw smart, creative students shut down, pushed out, or overlooked.”
She is not working alone. Across the country, many parents, teachers, and community members are leaving school systems that no longer meet their needs. They are creating new spaces. From homes to churches to community centers, small learning environments are appearing—places rooted in relationships and purpose. Smith sees her work as part of this larger movement.
“We are not waiting for permission,” she says. “We are building what our children need.”
Smith’s decision became personal when her daughter reached middle school. She saw how even confident girls could lose their spark in schools that did not see or support them.
That same year, her daughter joined an African dance group. Many of the other dancers were homeschooled, and Smith noticed how confident, thoughtful, and free they were. “That was my turning point,” Smith says. “I took my daughter out of school. I wanted her to have that same joy and depth. And I knew other families deserved it too.”
This summer, The Gathering Place opened its doors with a two-week summer camp. It was a small, boutique-style program that combined rigorous academics with joy, movement, and connection. The goal was to reduce the summer learning slide while giving girls a chance to feel seen and supported. The program exceeded expectations. Parents were impressed, and the girls were eager to return. One parent shared, “My daughter came home glowing every day. She felt seen, heard, and challenged.” Many families said it was the first time their daughters came home excited to talk about what they learned.
Today, The Gathering Place offers full-time and part-time programs for girls ages 5 to 17. It also supports homeschool families with enrichment classes and coaching. The learning model is mastery-based. Students work at their own pace with personalized guidance. Learning is active, hands-on, and connected to the real world.
In addition to core subjects like reading, math, science, and writing, students explore entrepreneurship, wellness, leadership, and cultural identity. With its “City as Classroom” model, students regularly learn in museums, parks, and local businesses.
“We believe in academic challenge,” Smith says. “But we also believe in creativity, rest, and joy. Our girls are not problems to solve. They are becoming. And we are building a place where they can grow.”
Microschools like The Gathering Place are gaining attention nationwide. Many serve fewer than 20 students and focus on community, flexibility, and belonging. Research shows that homeschooled students—many of whom attend microschools part-time—often perform better on tests and show strong independence.
School districts, including Broward County Public Schools, are seeing changes in enrollment as more families look for other options. For some, it is not just about different schools—it is about different values.
For Caribbean families, The Gathering Place feels both new and familiar. “We were raised on structure and excellence,” Smith says. “But also joy, culture, and connection. Our children deserve a place that honors all of that.”
The Gathering Place is one of those places.
Families who want to learn more can visit www.TGPLearningLab.com or text (786) 301-2444 to schedule a tour. Scholarships and flexible tuition options are available. Come see what a joyful, affirming, and academically strong environment can do for your daughter.
