Heartwise Scholars Microschool
Grassfield Area, Chesapeake, Virginia
Microschool Founder
Dr. Crystal Goins is a wife, mother, and experienced educator with expertise in relationship-based classroom management, social-emotional learning, and restorative practices. She’s also an author and entrepreneur, running The Resilient Teacher Mom LLC and Teachers as Partners LLC.
Heartwise Scholars is a dream school option for her five children ages 3 to 10 that caters to whole families and whole children. It is a homegrown learning community of socially motivated scholars Pre-K3 to 8th grade who take care of themselves, their community, and the world. Dr. Goins is excited to implement her research and relationship-based practices with an intimate community of three educators and a maximum of 40 students in Chesapeake, VA.
5 Reviews on “Heartwise Scholars Microschool”
Julianne
Heartwise Scholars has been an amazing fit for our preschoolers! Crystal, who runs the school and teaches the school-aged students, has a clear and intentional vision for the school. She has so much experience in research and teaching that it is easy to trust her lead. The preschool teacher, has deep roots in Montessori teaching and creates a fun playful environment. I have seen so much growth in my kids already!
Monica Fernandez
We are thrilled to be a part of Heartwise Scholars! This new learning center has been an incredible addition to our lifestyle. My husband and I are both small business owners, and having the flexibility of a microschool approach gives us confidence that we are in charge of our kiddo’s education, while giving them the comfort of having a community and friends that they had in private school.
As a new homeschool family (as of 2024/2025) we wanted a family focused approach where my husband and I, and our kiddos, had a say in their curriculum. If they aren’t receptive to what they were learning, we want to be able to make adjustments. Or if they are exceeding their previously assessed grade level, we want to have a system in place where they could move up, or even change curriculum while also supporting their social needs. Crystal meets all of their needs, and then some! She closely tracks their educational progress and meets them where they’re at. I can confidently say that we will remain a microschool family through and through!
Serena Guarino
As I prayed and searched for the appropriate learning environment for my son, Dr. Goins and Heartwise Scholars became an option. It would be a big step and transition, but only God knew how perfect this was and is for my son who was smarter then his grade level. The private school he was in just didn’t offer an advance setting nor time for a kindergarten kid, 1st grader or second grader. Their solution is just to bump a kid up. For me, that didn’t sit well with my soul. I don’t want my son going through life faster then he needs to not be forced into situations mentally older than he was ready. With Heartwise, my son is able to learn at his pace and stay within his grade not being forced through life. It’s the true epitome of parent-teacher relationship/partenership, working together for the best of my child. I should say of our children because we have grown so close with the other in this place that we genuinely care for each other, lookout for each other, and are there for each other through it all. When one succeeds, we all succeed. When one has a situation to work through, we all work through it! This is truly a Godsend.
Brandie
We love the At Home
Learning Plan. Highly recommended! Our boys are engaged in and empowered by the lessons provided. We’re thrilled to see them motivated and working independently. As a new homeschool family, we’re thankful to have the support of a professional on this journey.
Dana Taylor-Oliveira
Heartwise has been the perfect fit for our family! My son has blossomed under Crystal’s guidance and support. She has worked with us all school year to adjust his schedule to meet his needs and my work schedule. He began the year with two half days and now loves going four full days each week. He went from not wanting to do any extra activities to enjoying Chess and Spanish. He is also open to trying new things like art and music! Crystal works with me to customize my son’s learning needs. I love that she sets goals with my son; he is so much more invested in learning and becoming a better student. She has been so supportive and worked closely with me to manage my son’s anxiety throughout our transition from part time to full time. I love that the relationship based atmosphere is helping him develop positive, healthy friendships that will last a lifetime. We love our Heartwise Family!