A once-yellow bus — stripped down and rebuilt into a vibrant, mobile learning space — winds through Norfolk, Virginia, transforming everyday landscapes into living classrooms. Inside, children engage in science experiments, create art from natural materials and learn history by standing where it happened.
This mobile classroom is the heart of Solstice Hybrid Academy, a Montessori-inspired microschool created by art educator and ceramicist Sarah Kate Harrington (BFA ’12) that serves registered homeschoolers.
Her journey to founding her school on wheels didn’t begin with education. It began with clay — and last September, it landed her on national television after a call from .
“Our students and families were absolutely thrilled to be part of the experience,” Harrington said. “We were all a little nervous at first, but honestly, it ended up feeling like an ordinary day just with a camera crew tagging along.”
NBC reporter Laura Jarrett likened her to a modern-day Ms. Frizzle from the mid-1990s animated children’s TV show and books, “The Magic School Bus.” Harrington takes the comparison as “the ultimate compliment.”
“Like Ms. Frizzle, I’m endlessly passionate about what I do,” Harrington said.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Harrington earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Media with a minor in art history at Old Dominion University, graduating in 2012. While originally focused on opening a ceramics studio, her career path shifted after she began substitute teaching.
“I totally fell in love with teaching,” she said. That realization led her back to the University to complete a post-baccalaureate endorsement in K–12 art education, which she completed in 2016.
During her time in the art education program, Harrington taught in what came to be called Youth Art Saturday School, an initiative that pairs University students with local youth for weekend art workshops.
“That experience was a gamechanger for me,” she said. “It helped me see how powerful art can be when it’s taught with heart and intention. I learned how to communicate creative ideas to kids, adapt lessons on the fly and embrace experimentation as part of the process.”
She eventually channeled her energy into public education, including five years at W.H. Taylor Elementary School in Norfolk, Virginia. But, after spending time in traditional classrooms, she felt something was missing.
“I’ve always been fascinated with skoolies,” she said, referring to converted school buses. “The idea of a mobile classroom just made sense. I wanted a way to merge hands-on learning, flexibility and adventure — all the things I wished I had more room for in public school.”
In 2024, that dream became where learning is split into three parts: Montessori-inspired activities, computer-based instruction and daily excursions where students apply what they’ve learned in the real world.
Its mission is to offer a “homeschool style” learning environment for children of working families, additional guidance and creative opportunities for current homeschool students to socialize and learn with peers, according to the Solstice Hybrid Academy website. Students range from 5 to 10 years old; Harrington’s son is among them.
Field trips have included visits to Jamestown, the Hermitage Museum & Gardens and the WHRO public media station in Norfolk, Virginia, where the students learned about weather forecasting.
Meghan Seiler’s daughter, River, a third grader, attends Solstice Hybrid Academy. “The experiences at Solstice are unique, because the kids are allowed the space to be seen and heard,” said Seiler, who is also a teaching assistant. River is artistic and gets weekly opportunities to explore her creative side with other students. “She loves her friends at school,” Seiler said.
Harrington said she thrives on sparking her students’ wonder and curiosity. “I feel like I’m right where I’m meant to be and doing the work I was born to do.”