As more parents reconsider whether conventional schooling still meets the needs of today’s students, one microschool in Palm Beach Gardens is rapidly gaining attention as an innovative educational alternative.

Curious Innovators, a K-8 microschool and learning center based in Palm Beach Gardens, is reshaping the educational experience for modern families. Centered on small class sizes, individualized instruction, adaptable scheduling, and experiential learning, the program is drawing families seeking a more engaging, practical, and forward-thinking option than traditional classrooms typically provide.

For parents frustrated by strict routines, overcrowded classrooms, outdated teaching methods, excessive desk time, and lessons that feel detached from everyday life, Curious Innovators presents a fresh approach.

Rather than focusing solely on memorization and testing, the school encourages students to design, collaborate, innovate, solve problems, lead projects, and apply knowledge in real-world contexts. Its curriculum blends foundational academics with enrichment opportunities including robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, engineering, filmmaking, podcast production, debate, public speaking, entrepreneurship, culinary arts, woodworking, drone design, creative arts, and more.

“At Curious Innovators, our goal is not to fit children into an outdated educational framework,” said Cristina Bedgood, M.Ed., Founder and CEO of Curious Innovators of America. “We create learning experiences around each child’s strengths, interests, pace, and the future they are preparing to enter.”

The school’s expanding popularity reflects a growing demand among parents for alternatives to standardized, one-size-fits-all education. Curious Innovators is built on the idea that every child learns differently and every family has unique needs. To support this, the school offers flexible two-day, three-day, and five-day attendance options, giving families the freedom to select schedules that align with their child’s academic goals and lifestyle.

Its “Education À La Carte” approach allows parents to customize their child’s educational journey through personalized, modular courses tailored to individual strengths, interests, and learning needs. The model prioritizes mastery-based learning, adaptable pacing, practical application, parent collaboration, and curiosity-driven education over traditional seat-time requirements.

Families have responded enthusiastically. One parent described Curious Innovators as a place where children are genuinely “excited to learn,” while another praised the school for offering “the best of both worlds.”

According to the school, that sense of excitement and engagement is often missing from many conventional learning environments.

The campus is intentionally designed to resemble a modern innovation lab rather than a traditional classroom. Students are encouraged to ask questions, experiment with ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect classroom lessons to real-life experiences. From younger students building essential literacy and math foundations to older learners exploring business, leadership, communication, and technology, the program aims to foster both academic growth and practical life skills.

“This goes far beyond academics,” Bedgood explained. “It’s about building confidence, curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and helping children become independent thinkers. When students truly enjoy learning, it transforms everything.”

Another defining feature of Curious Innovators is its emphasis on preserving childhood. The school prioritizes creativity, friendship, exploration, play, reduced stress, and ensuring that every child is recognized as an individual rather than becoming overlooked in a large educational system.

The program is currently accepting enrollments for K-8 students and is eligible for Step Up Scholarships. Families interested in exploring the program are encouraged to arrange a campus tour to experience the learning environment firsthand.

Media Opportunities
Local media representatives are invited to visit the Curious Innovators campus, meet founder Cristina Bedgood, connect with families, and observe students participating in immersive, hands-on activities involving technology, entrepreneurship, STEAM education, creative arts, and project-based learning.

Greg Pardo recognized he was ready for a change when he came across a job opening for a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab STEAM Specialist in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After spending 23 years in the same role within a local school system — as a computer science teacher, STEM interventionist, and in other positions — he found himself unable to advance into administration.

"I was always striving to move up, but never quite getting there," Pardo reflects. "It was frustrating."

In the three years since joining McKinley Community School as a STEAM Specialist, Pardo has advanced to the position of Supervisor of Instructional Technology for the New Brunswick School System. His swift career progression is attributed to his decades of experience in tech education, strong interpersonal skills, and the professional development he received through Verizon Innovative Learning.

Though he didn’t grow up in a tech-savvy environment, Pardo always had a passion for science and engineering. "We had one TV in our house," he recalls, smiling. "The channel knob broke, and my dad fixed it with a vise grip. We didn’t have a remote — I was the remote."

However, his grandfather was interested in new technology and bought a personal computer when they were still a novelty. Pardo enjoyed programming the computer and playing video games, sparking a lifelong fascination with how machines, robots, and computers function.

Today’s children grow up in a world far different from Pardo’s youth, with smartphones replacing corded phones and cassette players. Many students have instant access to information and can create impressive digital artwork with just a few taps. Traditional teacher-centered classrooms no longer resonate with this generation of self-directed learners.

"They want to create their own knowledge. They want to create their own information. They want to create their own learning," says Pardo.

As a STEM educator, Pardo began experimenting with student-led classrooms, and his participation in Verizon Innovative Learning’s professional development sessions greatly enhanced his abilities.

"My work with Verizon Innovative Learning boosted my confidence as an administrator, equipping me with the tools to truly understand how to integrate technology in the classroom," says Pardo.

In Verizon’s program, students engage in lessons that build problem-solving skills. "Students collaborate, and the teacher guides them from the side," explains Pardo. "This approach encourages kids to communicate, think creatively, and solve problems. That interaction unfolds more naturally when lessons are project-based or problem-based."

Technology discussions frequently extend to real-world scenarios. An architecture project might spark interest in the engineering of bridge structures, while a virtual reality tour of the Egyptian pyramids offers students — many of whom rarely leave New Brunswick — the opportunity to explore the world. Programming a robot to move could even lead to questions about careers in lunar rover development.

Now, as the District Supervisor of Instructional Technology, Pardo shares his expertise in student-centered learning with educators across the district, often advocating for changes in teaching approaches.

"Many of our teachers are still teaching the way they were taught," says Pardo, referring to the traditional "chalk and talk" method that has dominated classrooms for centuries. "It’s hard for them to let go of that. My job is to encourage them to ease up a bit." This shift fosters greater student engagement and involvement.

Anthony Mwangi, Robotics teacher at New Brunswick Middle School and Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Mentor, says Pardo has revolutionized his teaching. "Mr. Pardo encourages teachers not to give students the answers but to help them discover solutions on their own," says Mwangi.

For Pardo, enhancing students' science and engineering education isn't solely about increasing technology use in the classroom. Educators need to leverage the most effective tools to support students’ learning and help them reach their full potential.

Verizon Innovative Learning is an integral part of the company’s responsible business strategy, aiming to provide digital skills training to 10 million youth by 2030. Teachers can access free lessons, professional development, and immersive learning experiences to incorporate innovative learning methods in the classroom by visiting Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

"Working with Verizon Innovative Learning gave me the confidence to understand how to integrate technology in the classroom effectively," says Pardo, now District Supervisor of Instructional Technology for New Brunswick School System.