🌱 Who We Are
A Nonprofit Built to Reimagine Learning
Burbrella Learning Academy Inc. was founded to create accessible, joyful, and personalized education for all children — especially those who don't thrive in traditional classrooms. We operate both in-person and online microschools, serve neurodivergent, gifted, and creative learners, and work alongside families as co-educators in the journey. Since our founding, we’ve grown into a national learning network rooted in joy, identity, and innovation.
🕰 Our Journey
From One Idea to a National Microschool Movement
2019
✨ The idea for Burbrella is born during a conversation about what education could be ifit centered the child.
2020
🌐 Burbrella Global Online Microschool launches — starting a parent and educator facebook group that led to a small group learning pod of virtual learners during the pandemic
2021-2023
💻 Online microschool expands to serve learners across multiple states.
🎓 Over 200 families served with live instruction, tutoring, showcases, and virtual events.
2023
🏢 Burbrella Burlington Microschool opens — inside a reimagined Foot Locker at Holly Hill Mall for K–5
🧠 Burbrella gains national media attention for its bold school design and learner-centered model.
2024-2025
Reimagined RadioShack for Grades 6–12.
🚀 Burbrella prepares to expand into Raleigh and 2 new NC cities by 2026.
🤝 Launches Burbrella Partnership Microschool Program for other microschools to access our online core instruction.
🎤 Our National Reach
When You Lead with Vision, People Take Notice
Founder Speaking Engagements & National Recognition:
🗣 SXSW EDU (2024) – “The Future of Education: I’ll Build It Myself”
🏛 Cato Institute (2024) – Education Entrepreneurs Panel
💼 Forbes (2023) – “Timeless School Models for the 21st Century”
🔧 VELACon (2023) – “Reimagining Time, Space, and Labor”
🧠 Transcend Education Freedom Dreams Lab (2023)
🌍 Partnered with The National Microschooling Center, The Drexel Fund, VELA, and more
💡 What We Stand For
We Believe In…
We Believe In…
🌈 Joyful Learning — driven by curiosity, creativity, and play
🤝 Family Partnership — parents are co-educators, not bystanders
🌍 Equity & Access — every child deserves a model that works for them
🧩 Whole-Child Learning — academic, social-emotional, and identity development
📦 Rethinking Space — malls, community centers, and homes can all be schools
Core Values:
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Affirmation of Self and Others
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Holistic (Learning and Socially)
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Community & Connection
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Nurturing
Meet Our Founder
Dominque Burgess
Founder & Head of Schools
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Former teacher, coach, assistant principal, instructional leadership coach, education consultant and principal intern
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Visionary school designer
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National advocate for sustainable microschools
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Microschool Policy Advocate
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Mom. Innovator. Doer.
“I created Burbrella because the future of education deserves to look nothing like the past.”
–Dominque Burgess
