Dear Friends and Supporters,

2024 was a year of powerful forward motion for MicroSociety Inc. Together—with the dedication of our educators, consultants, partners, and supporters—we advanced our mission to prepare young people to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

We deepened our investment in digital learning, strengthened our network of schools, and saw students’ creativity and leadership flourish. Whether launching MicroSociety 2.0 in new schools, refining our immersive game 4th Terra®, or sharing the stories of alumni who continue to make an impact, this year reaffirmed the timeless power of our model and the urgent need for it in today’s world.

Every success reflected a shared belief: When students are given responsibility, trust, and the tools to lead, they rise. This report celebrates their accomplishments and the remarkable community that makes their transformation possible.

To everyone who shared in this work—thank you.

Carolynn King Richmond

President and CEO

MicroSociety Inc.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Our nonprofit achieved significant milestones across various domains in 2024, demonstrating our commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement. Here are the highlights:

MicroSociety 2.0

In 2024, MicroSociety 2.0 entered a new phase of development, expanding to our third pilot site, Stenstrom Elementary School. What began as a bold experiment in digital learning has become an essential tool for bringing the MicroSociety model to life in a digital world. Students now build and manage digital-powered ventures, agencies, and nonprofits—complete with online transactions and websites they design themselves.

Our team worked steadily to make the experience smoother, smarter, and more intuitive. We developed Notion-based curriculum sites to simplify access to our lessons and other resources for students. The launch of the FutureFinder Engine, an AI-powered career tool, helps students connect their interests and skills to adult-world career pathways.

Behind the scenes, we strengthened the financial framework that powers MicroSociety 2.0, making transactions more secure and responsive. New features encourage responsible spending, flag suspicious activity, and introduce the concept of overdraft protection—turning every digital exchange into a financial literacy teachable moment.

To help schools prepare for their own digital journeys, we produced a trio of short, student-friendly videos introducing MicroSociety 2.0 to learners at the primary, intermediate, and middle levels. These videos invite students into a new kind of classroom experience—one that merges innovation with purpose and play.

4th Terra

Our 3D classroom game 4th Terra continued to evolve in 2024 into an even more dynamic learning environment. Designed to help students build a society of well-being, 4th Terra lets them explore how economies, communities, and ecosystems interact. In 2024, we introduced a save system that allows multiple games to be run and revisited, giving teachers flexibility and students ownership of their progress.

The addition of a facilitator-based monetary system expanded the ways educators can distribute funds and guide in-game economies. Students can now purchase items, track properties, and encounter random events that challenge them to think critically about resource management and social responsibility. Newly aligned challenge cards link the game’s activities directly to educational standards, ensuring deep academic value alongside engagement.

To make implementation seamless, the team created a Quick Start Guide for new schools and hosted a summer retreat to collaborate on future development. Each of these enhancements moves 4th Terra closer to its vision: a vibrant, data-informed ecosystem where learning and leadership intersect.

In 2024, we continued the long-term work of modernizing our core curriculum. An array of MicroAdventure lesson plans were updated and reimagined as polished, teacher-ready digital slides decks that are easy to deliver across grade levels.

We developed new Partner and Parents & Guardians Guides—easy-to-use resources designed to bring families and communities more deeply into the MicroSociety learning process—and new graphics to visually communicate the all-important educator “MicroMindset” behind stellar MicroSociety implementation, the typical flow of activities over the course of a school year, and processes for wrapping up at end of the year.

And we continued to develop MicroPortal, a one-stop online destination for all our curriculum and educator resources.

2024 was also a year of connection—telling the stories of our students, educators, and alumni, and sharing the power of the MicroSociety model with new audiences. Transcend Models Exchange launched a MicroSociety profile in May, we created pitch decks for schools and foundations, and we returned to the beloved Alumni Stories series with new videos featuring Andrew Marshall of Texas and Naderge Baptiste, originally of New York but now living and working in Canada.

Through social media, we celebrated veteran schools with our 10+ Years campaign and gave students the mic through video MicroBoss and animated MicroStudents series. We began a new series of Consultant Spotlight short videos introducing audiences to the expert educators who guide our schools—beginning with Michelle Pedalino and Mary Harris.

In December, we launched Let Them Lead, a social media campaign about empowering young people to take charge of their own learning and their world aimed at creating excitement for our 2025 annual conference.

SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA
INITIATIVE UPDATE

MicroSociety is expanding in the Pittsburgh area, giving more students opportunities to build confidence, discover purpose, and see themselves as capable leaders. Anchored by Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) as our demonstration site, this multi-year effort is bringing real-world, student-led learning to schools serving low-income communities.

Expanding Our Reach

In 2024, the Pittsburgh Expansion Project brought MicroSociety to Urban Pathways K–5 College Charter School, thanks to generous support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, Urban Pathways serves nearly 300 elementary students—most of whom are Black and from low-income households. The 2024–25 school year marked its first year of MicroSociety implementation, with teachers trained by MSI consultants Michelle Pedalino and Allan Baile.

Students signed Citizenship Contracts, held elections, and applied for jobs as they built their new society. They also trained on MicroSociety 2.0, laying groundwork to bring digital banking and commerce to the society. Early results were encouraging: 44% of K–2 students met or exceeded literacy benchmarks, and math scores improved across several grades.

“MicroSociety prepares us for real life and makes me feel a little happier,” said one fifth-grader. Another added, “MicroSociety changed me. I was being mean, and now I think about kindness.”

With new leadership in place and continued support from PHCSE, Urban Pathways is ready to expand opportunities for students to lead and connect learning to life.

Strengthening Partnerships

Regional collaboration continues to power this work. Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, and West Liberty University’s Center for Arts and Education again worked with MicroSociety students to use data tools to explore real-world issues through the Nearby Data Project.

At PHCSE, students used the CREATE Lab’s interactive mapping platform to study school safety and equity. They analyzed patterns in PeaceKeeper citation data to identify “hot spots” by time, grade, and location—and then used their findings to propose policy changes to school leadership. Their work exemplifies what happens when young people learn not just to gather data but to interpret and act on it, developing skills that prepare them to lead in an information-rich world.

Measuring What Matters:
Evaluation Findings

Evaluation remains central to the initiative. At PHCSE, Growth Mindset scores rose significantly, with each one-point gain linked to a 33-point increase in PSSA scores, according to our third-party evaluation.

At Urban Pathways, early surveys showed strong student motivation and belonging, alongside a call for more autonomy and consistent adult support—insights that will guide the work ahead.

Across the region, the data confirms MicroSociety’s theory of action: When students are trusted to take charge, build competence through meaningful work, and feel connected to caring adults and each other, they thrive—academically, socially, and personally.

PARTNER SCHOOLS

Across our network, MicroSociety’s success depends on collaboration. When schools, consultants, and communities work together, everyone thrives. In 2024, our movement continued to grow—adding new partner schools, expanding training opportunities, and deepening our collective impact. Each school brings its own spirit and creativity, showing that when students are given the tools and trust to lead, transformation follows.

Carlsbad Municipal Schools – Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad Municipal Schools joined the MicroSociety movement through a vibrant summer program that introduced elementary students to entrepreneurship, teamwork, and civic leadership. The program’s success sparked community excitement and laid the groundwork for ongoing engagement with the New Mexico district.

Instant Impact Global Prep – Natchez, Mississippi

At Instant Impact Global Prep, MicroSociety took root in a bold way. Serving students in kindergarten through second grade, the Mississippi school proved that even the youngest learners can run their own society with independence, heart, and pride.

St. Mary’s School – Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada

Our partnership with St. Mary’s School extends MicroSociety’s reach in Canada. Educators there are blending the model with strong community values and a spirit of innovation, empowering students to lead ventures that reflect local priorities and global awareness.

Urban Pathways K–5 College Charter School – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In downtown Pittsburgh, Urban Pathways launched its first year of MicroSociety implementation in 2024, transforming classrooms into hubs of collaboration and leadership. Students signed citizenship contracts, held elections, and began preparing for a digital economy with MicroSociety 2.0.

Six Weeks to a Society

When MicroSociety consultant Michelle Pedalino arrived at Instant Impact Global Prep in January 2024, she faced a challenge: launching a brand-new MicroSociety model midyear, with all-new staff—most of them first-year teachers—and only kindergarten, 1st- and 2nd-grade students. What happened next became one of the year’s most inspiring stories.

Within six weeks, the Natchez, Mississippi, school was up and running. Every classroom had written its own citizenship contract, the school had adopted a constitution, and all student organizations were ready to operate. The staff’s enthusiasm—and belief in their students’ capabilities—set the tone for success.

Michelle saw moving changes. A kindergartner, once considered a behavioral challenge, took on the role of a PeaceKeeper. With gentle coaching, she grew into a leadership role, enforcing rules with fairness and pride. “She didn’t overstep her authority,” Michelle said, “but she absolutely made sure that kids were following the guidelines—and she did it all on her own.”

And, remarkably, students rose up to demand equity. After younger learners were initially left out of leadership roles, they added a clause to the school’s constitution making it illegal to discriminate based on age. As Michelle says, “There’s no such thing as too young in MicroSociety.”

Instant Impact Global Prep proved that with trust, enthusiasm, and the right mindset, transformation can happen fast—and even the youngest citizens can lead with vision and heart.

Across our longstanding partner schools, familiar themes emerged in 2024: deepening academic connections, strengthening shared leadership, expanding student responsibility, and celebrating the joy and ingenuity students bring to their MicroSociety communities.

Whether refining structures, building teacher confidence, or amplifying student voice, each school’s progress reflects the power of collaboration between MSI consultants and dedicated educators.

Imagine Schools at South Vero

At Imagine South Vero, consultant Michelle Pedalino teamed with teachers and leaders to refine MicroSociety practices and strengthen the academic connections that ground students’ work.

During a student focus group, one young entrepreneur described a plan to pass her business down to her younger siblings, creating a “family legacy” inside ImagiNation. Her pride and long-term vision captured the spirit of ownership students feel across Imagine South Vero.

Supported by strong community partnerships and a deeply committed staff, the school ended 2024 with clear plans to expand student autonomy in the coming year.

Indian Trail Elementary School in Louisville

Consultants Michelle Pedalino and Sheryl Dunton helped Indian Trail Elementary strengthen the school's MicroSociety practices and clarify structures that support student responsibility. They worked closely with the new MicroSociety Coordinator and coached teachers as they explored more intentional connections between academic standards and organization work.

Teachers were eager to learn, students were welcoming and engaged, and families and local partners were already contributing to vibrant MicroSociety experiences. With strong commitment and clearer structures in place, Indian Trail is poised to deepen its impact in meaningful ways.

Jersey City Global Charter School in Jersey City

Jersey City Global Charter School (JCGCS) continued to thrive as a bustling Global Society in 2024. Consultant Francie Summers observed students running more than 20 ventures, agencies, and nonprofits with impressive authenticity. A standout moment came from the Karaoke Club, where students confronted low customer interest by redesigning their entire venture—shifting to live performances and launching a small gift shop selling toy instruments. Their pivot transformed the business and showcased true entrepreneurial problem-solving.

JCGCS earned several honors at the 2024 MicroSociety Conference. The school continues to exemplify what is possible when students are empowered to lead and create.

North Heights Community School in Texarkana

In 2024, North Heights Community School entered its third year of MicroSociety, guided by consultant Mary Harris, who worked closely with the staff to help strengthen academic connections and expand student ownership. The school saw steady gains in reading and attendance, progress in a focus area that contributed to a higher overall school rating.

A highlight of the year was Micro Day/Night at the Heights, where students welcomed more than 40 community partners and received over $8,000 in financial and in-kind gifts. Mary noted Kindergarten students called local businesses to recruit new partners. All the effort paid off in an event that was a showcase of community pride.

With strong partner engagement and growing enthusiasm from even its youngest citizens, North Heights is building momentum and commitment to student-led learning.

North Heights Community School in Texarkana, Arkansas

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Consultant Jackie McCann worked with Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship to help deepen some of the most advanced elements of its MicroSociety. Jackie led targeted professional development with the Court, Treasury, and Senate teams—supporting students and facilitators as they built more sophisticated systems of governance.

Together, they designed plans for a student-run law school, complete with applications, coursework led by the student law professor, a bar exam, and a pathway to judgeship or legal practice inside the society. Jackie also helped the school formalize a Treasury Department to manage personal and business taxes and review the society’s financial health with government leaders.

The school continues to provide a warm culture, strong student voice, and commitment to becoming a model MicroSociety site.

Sageland Elementary School in El Paso

Consultant Dr. Kiana Smith led Sageland Elementary through its first official MicroSociety training since 2010, marking a true resurgence of the model on campus and introducing its principles to a new generation of teachers. Kiana guided educators through the foundations of MicroSociety and helped them design 21st-century ventures that align with Sageland’s endorsement pathways.

Teachers engaged enthusiastically with the MicroMindset, drafting a schoolwide Citizenship Contract and beginning vision-setting activities for Micro 2.0 ventures across the early grades. Kiana's visit sparked momentum and renewed excitement, reaffirming Sageland’s commitment to building an engaging, student-run society where learners connect academic skills with real-world responsibilities.

With leadership investment and growing staff enthusiasm, Sageland is reestablishing Scottieland as a vibrant space for students leadership, creativity, and collaboration.

St. Philip's College summer school in San Antonio

Consultant Jackie McCann partnered with St. Phillips to strengthen its MicroSociety summer model, supporting goals to boost engagement, attendance, and enrollment. Jackie reinforced core MicroSociety practices, facilitated Live Micro sessions, and guided staff in developing ventures and agencies tailored to students’ interests.

Students were highly engaged—confident in their roles and eager to explain their work, from running agencies to sharing how they drafted their own Bill of Rights. Jackie also supported facilitators in launching the student bank and refining daily operations for smooth implementation.

With energized teachers and students, St. Phillips ended the summer with clear momentum and a vision for an even more robust MicroSociety experience in 2025.

Stenstrom Elementary School in Oviedo

Consultants Mary Harris and Michelle Pedalino supported Stenstrom Elementary as it strengthened its MicroSociety across PreK–5 and officially became MSI’s third MicroSociety 2.0 pilot school. Mary and Michelle introduced teachers to the digital platform, guided them through account setup and features, and helped facilitators explore how 2.0 streamlines operations and deepens academic integration.

The consultants also worked with student managers, PeaceKeepers, and government cabinet members. Students demonstrated notable confidence, offering solutions, supporting one another, and leading during MicroTime.

With enthusiastic student leadership, growing facilitator capacity, and the launch of MicroSociety 2.0, Stenstrom enters its next phase with momentum and a clear path for expanding student-led learning.

When Students Lead, Everyone Rises

The middle school citizens at Jersey City Global Charter School had grown used to crossing the street each morning to join the younger grades in Global Society. They ran the Bank and Warehouse, produced broadcasts, built websites, and taught classes as MicroUniversity professors. So when the administration shifted their schedule to financial literacy work, they didn’t simply accept the change. They advocated to return to MicroSociety—explaining that they wanted to be part of the community they had helped shape. Their request was heard, and soon they were back, taking up their roles with renewed purpose.

Younger citizens—newly hired managers and bookkeepers—were struggling to understand their responsibilities. Seeing the need, the middle-grade professors designed new management and finance courses. The classes filled immediately. Primary-grade managers and bookkeepers willingly parted with their Micro bucks and even gave up consumer break time to attend, grabbing the chance to become better prepared and more confident in their roles.

What unfolded was not just skill-building, but community-building: older students stepping into authentic leadership, younger students rising to new challenges, and a school society strengthened by the simple act of students lifting one another up.

"MicroSociety showed me what was possible."

Growing up in Spring Valley, New York, Naderge Baptiste remembers a close community, but not a lot of extras. There were few extracurriculars, few windows into unfamiliar careers, few chances to imagine a world larger than the one in front of her.

Then she walked into MicroSociety—and found a place where she could try on futures.

She began as the court stenographer responsible for accurately capturing trial testimony and proceedings. The role taught her focus, fairness, and how to listen deeply. Soon, she moved up to prosecution lawyer, a job she had never envisioned for herself. “I didn’t know any lawyers growing up,” she recalls. “MicroSociety showed me that maybe I could be one.”

School became a place she looked forward to. She loved the challenge of the courtroom, loved earning money through her work, and loved the sense that what she did mattered. “There was always something to learn,” she says.

MicroSociety also gave her something deeper: confidence to take risks. When the cost of college felt out of reach, she moved to Quebec alone, learned French, worked part-time, and graduated from McGill University. Today, she works in business development at The Answer Company, helping organizations modernize through technology and leading the firm’s community giving efforts—her way of giving back.

Looking back, she sees MicroSociety as the spark. “If it wasn’t for MicroSociety,... I don’t think I would have taken the risks I did to get an education by any means necessary.”

Now, she hopes more young people get the same chance to imagine who they can become.

EVENTS

In 2024, our team innovated how we support schools across the school year. A successful Summer Seminar and new tools like "MicroChats" and "MicroForum" empower educators to share, connect, and thrive.

30th Annual MicroSociety
Conference

Our milestone 30th Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, “Glimpses of Then, Visions of Now: Celebrating 30 Years of Shared Leadership,” brought together educators from across the U.S. and Canada for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Participants explored student citizenship, shared leadership, digital innovation, and new approaches to strengthening real-world learning. Educators from host school Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship shared practical insights from their work, reinforcing how our community grows stronger when we learn together.

Monthly Leadership Roundtables

Throughout 2024, we hosted monthly virtual roundtables for principals and coordinators. These sessions create a supportive, practitioner-led network where school leaders share challenges, exchange strategies, and celebrate wins.

Some roundtables featured guests, including Chicago district leader Devon LaRosa and school marketing pro Ken Kilpatrick, and all covered topics requested by our educators. The gatherings are becoming an essential space for connection and collective problem-solving across the MicroSociety network.

Magnet Schools of America Conference

MicroSociety had a strong presence at the Magnet Schools of America National Conference in New York City. The event opened with a site visit to Eugenio María de Hostos MicroSociety Magnet School, where attendees were able to see MicroSociety in action.

Our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Darlene Dingess-Adkins, joined educators from The Dufrocq School, Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School, and our digital products lead Josephine Nguyen to share how the MicroSociety model aligns seamlessly with Magnet School goals. We also welcomed hundreds of visitors at our booth, looking to expand our reach and inspire new schools to join the movement.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We deeply appreciate our partners and donors for support that has been instrumental to advancing our mission. Your contributions are changing the lives of thousands of children and their communities.

Support MicroSociety's Mission

Let's put kids in charge! Your gift helps bring real-world learning to more schools, shaping a brighter future for all.

FINANCIAL REPORT

MicroSociety Inc. continues to grow and strengthen financially, with a large 2024 revenue increase driven by foundation grant awards. We invested heavily in a curriculum refresh and the development of digital tools vital to our strategy for long-term growth and sustainability.

Information from MicroSociety's independent audit reports. Find the full reports on GuideStar.

OUR PEOPLE

Meet the dedicated team behind MicroSociety's success. Our board, staff, consultants, and interns bring passion and expertise to our mission, driving innovation and creating lasting impact.

Board