Lighthouse Learning

by Susan Shalhoub 

Lighthouse Learning, a microschool and homeschool hybrid, began as a grassroots program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The school started when co-founders Makenzie and Jamel Oliver began homeschooling their two daughters, as well as the children of neighbors and friends.

Makenzie, a Seminole County Public School teacher for more than a decade, tailored instruction and learning to each child – which motivated and energized the kids.

“We went on field trips and taught all the academic subjects,” says Makenzie, the school’s director and owner.

Lighthouse Learning soon outgrew the Olivers’ home and moved into a church in Altamonte Springs before recently settling in at its new environs at First Baptist Sweetwater in Longwood.

Flexibility and a child-centered approach to learning are what set Lighthouse Learning apart. The curriculum is tailored to students’ varying abilities, rather than requiring students to conform, says Makenzie. 

The school is currently home to 90 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Lighthouse Learning offers multi-day programs that feature core academics, enrichment opportunities, or a blend of both – depending on the needs of each family.

“Some homeschoolers want teacher assistance to ensure their children are being challenged,” says Makenzie.

The team at Lighthouse Learning takes pride in providing personalized educational pathways for each child.