Red River Microschool - Our Schoolhouse

Red River Microschool will be held on a 20-acre farm of wooded hills and fenced pasture, just a few minutes from the center of Stanton. The property includes open lawns, gardens, a hiking trail through the forest, and a volleyball court, with plenty of space to learn, explore, and breathe.

Children will spend time studying on the screened-in porch, eating lunch together at a picnic table, and caring for chickens as part of their daily learning. Indoors, we’ll gather in a cozy, shared classroom near a wood-burning stove in winter, with access to two student bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen where children will learn cooking and home-life skills.

It’s a simple, beautiful place to learn together — rooted in nature, responsibility, and community.

Meet the Founders

Rachael Bates and Alicyn Ventura

We met several years ago and quickly bonded over raising young children, running together, and spending long hours outdoors. As our eldest children approached kindergarten age, our conversations naturally turned toward education—what we wanted for our own families and what felt missing from the options available to us. Over time, the idea of Red River Microschool began to take shape.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The vision grew slowly and thoughtfully as we spent years reflecting, talking, and paying attention to what truly mattered for our children. The more we considered it, the more convinced we became that we wanted a small, relational learning environment rooted in nature, community, and meaningful work.

We envisioned a place where children spend as much time outdoors as possible—learning through hands-on experiences like cooking and cleaning together, caring for their environment, exploring the forest, discovering insects, getting their hands dirty, and learning how to grow food in a garden. We believe children learn best when their bodies, minds, and hearts are fully engaged.

Red River Microschool is also deeply grounded in Christian values and a commitment to character formation. We want children to understand the world from a place of safety and trust, to grow in responsibility and curiosity, and to develop a faith that shapes how they live and care for others. Our hope is to help raise children who are not only prepared for the world they will enter, but who are equipped to bring the light of Christ into it—children who are formed to thrive, not merely survive.

Families are an essential part of this vision. We are building this school not only for our community, but with our community—because we are part of it. Red River Microschool exists as a shared effort, shaped by relationships and a commitment to serving the children and families around us.

Education and Experience

Alicyn Ventura, BSN, RN

Alicyn Ventura earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Murray State University, where she competed as a four-year collegiate cross country and track athlete. She worked for five years as a registered nurse, beginning at the University of Kentucky and later serving in the Women’s Care Unit at Clark Regional Medical Center, supporting mothers and families.

She is also certified in Life and Health Coaching and is the mother of three young children, with another on the way.

Rachel Bates, BA

Rachel Bates graduated summa cum laude from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She later worked as a writer with Freedom Firm, preparing reports related to anti–human trafficking operations in India.

She is the mother of three young children and recently founded a small pottery business. She also volunteered for many years in a therapeutic horseback riding program serving children with special needs.