Frequently Asked Questions

At Sloyd & Croft, we believe that every child is uniquely designed with gifts, talents, and a distinctive way of approaching the world. Divine Design is our process for understanding and aligning a learner’s individual traits—such as personality, temperament, interests, and family dynamics—with their educational path.

We start by taking an inventory of the child’s personal characteristics, family goals, and resources (such as local community and geography), as well as their current interests and challenges. This information helps us craft a personalized learning journey that fits the child’s natural inclinations and aligns with the family’s values. Our Divine Design process ensures that parents can lead their child’s education in a way that is meaningful, holistic, and purpose-driven.

Apprenticeship Learning at Sloyd & Croft is inspired by the 16th-century apprenticeship model, where learning was grounded in real-world experiences, relationships, and hands-on work. In our model, parents, craftsmen, and the community all play active roles in the child's education, with the parent leading their child's learning journey. Unlike traditional school systems where children are often dropped off for instruction, apprenticeship learning keeps parents deeply involved, allowing them to guide their child’s education in partnership with skilled craftsmen.

Learners at Sloyd & Croft are engaged in real-world projects that develop both practical skills and personal growth. These experiences are not about simply mastering a craft but about crafting the whole person—developing character, critical thinking, and stewardship. Throughout the apprenticeship, the learner reflects on their experiences, guided by their parents and mentors, to create a continuous cycle of learning and personal development.

Murmuration Learning is inspired by the natural phenomenon of starlings flying in sync, where each bird’s movement influences the group while still allowing for individual freedom. At Sloyd & Croft, we apply this concept to education by creating small learning cohorts of no more than eight learners, where each individual works together on similar tasks or projects, influencing the group’s progress while maintaining their own learning path.

In this model:

• Learners benefit from being part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where they can express their individuality while contributing to the success of the group.
• Each learner responds to the seven peers closest to them, developing social-emotional skills and teamwork.
• The group itself often acts as a craftsman, with learners guiding and supporting each other’s growth.

Murmuration Learning allows students to thrive in small, supportive cohorts, where community and individual growth happen simultaneously. This approach emphasizes how learning in a group setting can foster deeper understanding, reflection, and personal development.