The Resonance Lab

From the Sponsor

Rooted in purpose. Raised in community. Aligned for life.

Cincinnati families looking for an alternative to traditional public school have a new choice to consider. The Resonance Lab (TRL) is a brand-new chartered, non-public entity that will soon be enrolling students for the 2026–2027 school year. With a focus on each child’s existing strengths, Founder and Chief Academic Officer Jessica Steele created this microschool to support the well-being, self-development, and leadership of every TRL student.

Intentionally small class sizes allow students to explore learning in a hands-on manner while still aligning with state standards. TRL will teach students far more than how to study and take a test. Through lab-based, inquiry-driven learning, nature-based exploration, and purposeful play, students learn in innovative ways that aren’t confined to multiple-choice assessments. Breaking away from convention, the microschool model enables deeply personalized, relationship-centered education. Students will also gain a sense of belonging through mixed-age cohorts, which encourage growth at each child’s unique pace.

Rather than setting growth goals focused on formal assessments or measuring children by their deficits, The Resonance Lab aims to identify each student’s strengths, highlighting growth, mastery, and forward momentum. Steele notes that “every child is inherently capable, whole, and ready to thrive when given the right environment.” By encouraging outdoor learning, project-based exploration, and community field experiences, TRL challenges students to advocate for themselves, solve real-world problems, and think creatively—preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Blue Ash YMCA (5000 YMCA Drive in Cincinnati) will serve as The Resonance Lab’s pilot home base, with two classrooms and a maximum of 36 students. The 2026–2027 school year will serve grades K–5, with the goal of expanding not only the number of students enrolled but also the grade levels and locations served each year. Embracing the same growth mindset it fosters in students, TRL plans to grow exponentially—with the long-term vision of becoming a K–12 school with multiple locations throughout the tri-state region.

Learn more at theresonancelab.org or call 602-510-3810.