Sedgwick’s micro-school sees big impact
Apricot Academy is part of the ‘indie education’ movement and has more than doubled its size since 2020
Apricot Academy, located on the Sedgwick Ridge Road, has grown from five students to as many as 21 since 2020. Photo by Jessi Hardy.
May 20, 2026
By Jessi Hardy
SEDGWICK—In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one small school in Sedgwick has grown into an educational alternative for families seeking a different approach to learning.
Apricot Academy, a microschool founded in 2020 by Jessica Valdez and Christy Croan, currently enrolls 18 students from across the peninsula and as far away as Bar Harbor. The school serves students from kindergarten through 10th grade.
The pair opened the school during the height of the COVID pandemic, when many schools in the area faced repeated shutdowns, quarantines and disruptions to in-person learning. Valdez, a resident of Sedwick and certified K-8 teacher with nearly 20 years experience, saw the toll it was taking on her son as he struggled with the many new and different instructional styles used during the pandemic. Croan—who has experience teaching and providing lessons in art, music, physical education and Spanish and a background in early childhood development and education—saw her daughter struggling too. So, Valdez and Croan teamed up to create a place where students could continue learning in a supportive school environment while prioritizing mental health and social interaction.
Founders Jessica Valdez, left, and Christy Croan, bring years of experience teaching students of all ages in various subjects. Photo by Jessi Hardy.
“We saw immense growth from September to June [when we started],” Valdez said. “We are going to keep rolling with it.”
The microschool started out in Vadez’s basement and Croan home but has expanded into a two room school house with two campuses over the last five years. One campus is located in Sedgwick, on Ridge Road, and the other is in Surry. Valdez said that if students can’t make it to one school, they can go to the other, especially if it's snowing. Valdez and Croan were able to expand their facilities through hard work, a committed group of volunteers and a start-up grant from Vela, a leader in the “indie education” movement.
Today Apricot Academy serves students of all ages, all levels of education, mental health and learning disabilities and provides hands-on experiences and peer interactions. The school has grown into a full five day a week schedule and provides instruction in all subject areas. Beth Kyzer, brings the sounds of music to the school and provides basic music, instrumental lessons and band to the school.
The school’s curriculum follows Maine state standards. Students are able to learn at their own levels while incorporating life skills, social-emotional learning and decision-making skills into their daily lives. The school also offers frequent field trips designed to connect students with the topics they are studying and reinforce classroom learning through hands-on experiences.
“Everything we do is integrated,” Valdez said. “No one moves on until they have mastered a skill.” The curriculum also prioritizes community service and students are encouraged to be engaged in their community.
Teacher Christy Croan and students in the “Fruitlets” class participate in an outside activity. Photo by Jessi Hardy.
Students of Apricot Academy are registered as homeschooled students and have an end of year review that is submitted to the state to promote students to the next grade level. Valdez and Croan put together a portfolio of students' work and progression throughout the year and students showcase their work to parents during various family events throughout the year. Enrollment is tuition based and costs approximately $500 a month. If tuition is an issue, Valdez said she works with students to “make it work.”
“We find a way to make it happen. We fundraise to help with scholarships,” she said.
For students, the sense of freedom that the school provides is transformative. “I like that I get to have lots of recess time,” said Arrow Matterson, a grade 3 student. “I like that we have different groups and one person does this and another does that. You [work at] your level but we’re doing the same thing.”
“I like that we planted a snack garden and a cherry tree here, " said kindergartener Jorgia Valdez. “I go to a school where we do lots of projects and I get to share them with people like at showcases. I still know my speech about butterflies and the Aztecs.”
For more information about Apricot Academy, email japricot.valdez@gmail.com.