Not Your Average Classroom — and Proud of It
Just off Highway 36 near Speake, there’s a school where kids start the day with math and end it feeding goats. Where test scores matter, but so do life skills, creativity, and feeling like you belong. It’s called The School at Jesseton, and it’s not your average classroom — by design.
This homeschool hybrid, also known as a micro school, is changing the game for local families who want something more for their kids. Students are technically homeschooled, but instead of learning alone at the kitchen table, they come to school for structured lessons, hands-on experiences, and that good old-fashioned sense of community.
Founder Christa Sandlin was drawn to homeschooling, but like many parents, didn’t want her kids to miss out on the friendships, structure, and everyday magic that comes with being part of a school. As she started talking to other families in Lawrence County, she realized she wasn’t the only one feeling that way. That’s when the idea for The School at Jesseton came to life — a place where kids could grow academically, socially, and spiritually, all while being supported at their own pace.
Christa Sandlin, founder of Jesseton.
Serving Pre-K through 8th grade, the school is located at 9058 Hwy 36 in Danville and keeps things simple, personal, and rooted in what actually works for students. Class sizes are small — just 15 students per teacher — which means no one gets lost in the shuffle. The curriculum follows Alabama’s critical standards but gives kids the room to learn at their current level, not just the one printed on a report card.
Students at Jesseton gather for story time.
But the best part? Once the books are closed, students head outside to the school’s farm to care for animals, work with their hands, and build real-life skills you won’t find in most lesson plans. Add in student-led projects based on their personal interests, and it’s clear this place is all about helping kids discover who they are and what they love.
Students at Jesseton feed a horse at Jesseton Farms.
Yes, it’s a tuition-based school, but there’s good news: thanks to Alabama’s CHOOSE Act, many families now qualify for tuition assistance. The deadline to apply is April 7, and the application process is already open.
Parents don’t just drop their kids off and drive away, either. In this model, they’re true partners in education — guiding about 30% of their student’s independent work at home while the school handles the instruction and support during the day. It’s teamwork, with the child at the center.
Christa doesn’t have plans to open more campuses — her focus is on getting it right, right here. The long-term goal? Raising well-rounded kids who are strong in their faith, confident in their abilities, and ready to lead wherever life takes them.
Want to check it out for yourself? Here’s how:
📧 Email Christa directly at christa@jessetonfarms.com
🌐 Visit www.jessetonfarms.com
📱 Follow The School at Jesseton on Facebook for updates and daily life on campus
If you’ve been looking for something different — something that actually fits your family’s needs — you might just find it here.
Because at Jesseton, being not average is kind of the whole point.
