Selecting a Quality Worldschool Hub

Not long ago, there were only a few worldschool events each year—what started as a handful of intentional gatherings has turned into a wave of worldschooling programs across the globe.

Every week seems to bring a new offering: retreats, teen hubs, coliving communities, adventure summits, roaming villages, cruises, learning centers, cooperatives—you name it!

This growth is amazing for families looking to connect... but with the surge of new opportunities, there’s unfortunately been a rise in hubs not meeting family's expectations.

There are two ideas to consider:

1. Families need to have flexible expectations -- please know that what you encounter abroad may not match the standards of your passport country

2. Hubs need to help families build clear expectations for the experience they're offering

Chiang Mai Pop-Up 2025

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First, What Is a Worldschool Hub?

A hub is a gathering of worldschooling families in the same place at the same time to create social connections and make wonderful memories while exploring our world together.

Hubs offer a wide variety of shared experiences -- educational programs, cultural immersion, language classes, co-habitation options, drop-off programming, co-working spaces, social events -- but not every hub has the same amenities... or the same price point... or the same time frame. Each offering is completely unique.

Worldschool hubs typically...

• Create a program for multiple traveling families instead of a space for only one or two families (unless they're specifically advertised as small group experiences)

• Have a hub leader present and responsible on-site

• Offer organized activities for a defined period of time

• Provide socializing opportunities, hopefully for the adults, too

• Involve an exchange of money (or energy) for services, coordination, & participation

• Serve a variety of worldschooling families versus catering strictly to expats or homeschoolers

Worldschool Hubs Generally Are Not Equivalent to Schools

Families may misjudge the basics of what a hub includes because they expect the same baseline standards that are available at a school setting.

When your children attend a school in your home country, there are many basic requirements in place such as a behavior policy, a point person for administration, a clear chain of command, or a standardized way to document your child's learning with testing, a certificate, or transcript.

When our children are enrolled in traditional school we expect the buildings are up to code, staff are certified to teach, curriculum meets developmental goals, teachers are subject to background checks, kitchens comply with food safety rules, transport drivers and vehicles are registered, properly licensed, and insured, etc, etc, etc.

These safeguards are not even discussed in many of our passport countries because they are built-in elements of every single school. Mistakenly, parents expect this base level structure to be in place globally.

Worldschool hubs are a completely different entity. Many are home-grown by people willing to create these opportunities for traveling families -- but realistically, they cannot provide high level management that school systems have evolved over years. In fact, it could be impossible to replicate those standards abroad... so families may need to adapt their own expectations.

If your family has certain expectations (even if it's basic standards in your home country), you will need to identify a hub that communicates well. You do not want to be surprised after arrival, so make sure the hub appears to accurately describe their destination, facility features, programming, company policy, and cultural experience provided.

Newer Hubs Will Be Sorting Details

And here's the tricky part -- it's hard to pick a hub because there are so many opportunities available now! However not all newer hubs are fully prepared to run communities. Some rely on excellent marketing with enticing photos instead of solid programming, leadership skills, or business competence.

Before you pick a new hub, know that every established hub has sorted through loads of real-life issues running communities. It takes a lot of time, energy, and dedication to successfully manage community experiences. If a new program's descriptions and company policy are vague, it's likely you'll find inconsistencies in other areas of their management as well.

If a hub overpromises (or underdelivers) their program, it leads to disappointment, mistrust, and hesitation about joining future communities. We do not want that to happen to your family!

This article has a number of ways to help families choose a hub that is a good fit for them:

• Six Methods to Evaluate a Hub Before Registering

• Ten Common Red Flags

• Link to Some of the Established Hubs

Note: Not every hub will perfectly fit 100% of these recommendations, but these tips help you spot a program that is well-developed over one that is not yet fully formed.

Sarajevo Pop-Up 2025

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1. Look for Professionalism and Transparency

Start by making sure the organizers are serious about their offering. A few basic signs can tell you whether they’ve thought through all the necessary pieces to building a community offering and created a solid foundation for their business:

• Clear Wording and Delivery: Is the hub’s information easy to find and understand? Be careful not to allow fancy marketing, brochures, or AI-generated text (explore centuries of culture, a destination full of discovery and heart, a vibrant cultural playground) sway your judgment... make sure the hub description is realistic and understandable. You'll want to know the ins and outs of the program offered.

• Easy-to-Find Contact Information: Can you find the names and information for the contact person/people? Can you reach them directly for more details? As an aside, it's a good sign if their website and marketing materials offer Frequently Asked Questions and other comprehensive information about what it's like to attend their hub. Those hub operators have already anticipated and addressed typical questions, please check there first before contacting the point person.

• Social Media: Does the hub have an active, authentic presence on major platforms? Does the founder provide consistent updates? Or are posts sporadic with AI-generated photos or untrustworthy pictures in some other sense?

• Professional Presence: Do they have a proper website or a well-rounded Facebook group/page? You should be able to find company policies, Frequently Asked Questions, and program descriptions with ease.

• Email Address: Are they using a domain-specific email (e.g. info@myawesomehub.com) rather than a generic Gmail email address (e.g. myawesomehub@gmail.com)? This indicates that the organizer has taken the time to properly set up a business.

Red Flag: If you can’t easily find basic info, think twice before sending money or committing your family’s time without further research and assurance from the hub.

Popups at Astana 2025, Tallinn 2024, Ipoh 2025

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2. Evaluate Their Online Materials

A well-organized hub has a complete, informative website or other information platform to share their material. Missing or vague details can signal inexperience or poor planning. Here are some features to expect:

• FAQs, Comprehensive Brochure, or Information Packet: Do they clearly explain pricing, logistics, and what’s included? Do you know exactly what your family is responsible to arrange because the hub does not provide it? Do they answer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) so you don't need to ask them?

• Newsletter & Other Updates: How do they communicate changes or new offerings with their following? Can you sign up for automatic updates or do you need to like & follow a page in order to see posts with upcoming offerings? A newsletter and mailing list indicate commitment from the hub to stay connected with the worldschool community.

• Real Photos: Are their images genuine, or do they look AI-generated or like stock photos? If the photos are real, are they the same kids over and over again? Do they indicate a number of different activities and locations where the hub operates?

• On-Site Point Person: Is the hub creator going to be participating in the hub directly, or are they creating opportunities for families to gather without spending time within those communities? If there is an alternate point person on the ground, do they speak your language? If there is no point person on site, find out how the hub leader addresses and resolves issues from afar.

• Size of the Gatherings: Some organizers are marketing hubs where there is only space for 1 or 2 families to attend. That's fine if that is what attendees expect... but using the term "hub" can be deceptive if families anticipate a larger group experience. It's equally important to know the maximum size for a gathering, especially if your family takes time to warm up to strangers. Some hubs have no limits.

• Public Reviews / Testimonials: Check their website, Google, Facebook business page, or sites like Trustpilot for testimonials and feedback. Scan worldschool Facebook groups for endorsements from other worldschooling families (some groups have pinned posts for reviews).

• Avoids Undercutting Other Hubs: Some hubs advertise themselves with a subtle, yet negative, stance against other hubs to set themselves apart (using terms such as building a better experience, finding real connection, creating more valuable community, offering more for less). Of all the established hub owners I know, we embrace worldschool opportunities... we want your family to have reliable community options. We might point out differences between our hubs and others, but would frame the discussion in a way that respects other hub owners and the programming they create.

• Clear Company Policies: Can you find cancellation, refund, and transfer policies? If you have questions about company policy, do you know who to contact and how?

• Insurance Policies & Guidance: Does the hub carry liability insurance for their program? Does the hub encourage you to purchase travel insurance for unexpected changes to your travel plans (weather issues, force majeure closures, personal illness, difficulty melding into a co-living situation, or hub shutdown)?

Sevilla 2024

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3. Understand Their Program Details & Facility

Every hub runs differently—some are structured like schools, others more like grass-roots communities. You'll want to know exactly what’s offered:

• Hub Schedule: Are the number of program hours and days per week clearly stated?

• Sample Program: Do they share what a typical day looks like? Do they share the general weekly schedule (example: child classes Monday - Thursday, Fridays are field trips)?

• Strictness of Program: Is participation required for all activities, or is there flexibility?

• Educational Program: If an educational program is offered, do you know what ages it serves? Does the literature clearly state what type of education is included (project-based. play-based, culturally immersive, skill-building)? If they're promising a specific methodology (Montessori, Waldorf, etc), have the staff been trained to teach that program style?

• Learning Center: Where do lessons take place? Are there pictures of the classrooms or workshopping areas? Is transport to and from the learning center described?

• Adult to Child Ratio: How many children is each staff person responsible for? What if there isn't a limit? It's best to think about the limit you expect as an attending family so you can decide if their program size is acceptable for you.

• Additional Siblings: Can you easily understand how the hub handles siblings too young / too old for the programming?

• Program Leaders: Who leads activities for the drop-off program, and what are their background experiences and qualifications? How are staff screened and trained, especially when working with children? How is supervision handled outside of the educational program? Who is responsible for the children at each point of the day (before school playground time, during lunch, when class concludes, etc)?

• Safety: What protocols are firmly in place for physical safety, first aid, and access to medical care? If you're visiting a hub property abroad, you'll want to know how local safety standards and building codes may differ from your own. If the hub provides transport, are their drivers & vehicles insured? If there is a medical emergency, do you know what sort of assistance is offered? Some hubs cannot offer help because local hospitals require passport and cash payment up front... it's possible all they can do is call you, but it's good to know that up front. If the hub is unable to transport an individual to a hospital, do they have trained first aid providers on site until legal guardians can arrive?

  
  

Montreal 2025, London June 2025, Sarajevo 2025

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4. Review Amenities and Logistics

Even the most expertly-designed program can be stressful if logistics don’t fit your family’s needs. Look for transparency about:

• Location & Infrastructure: Have they properly described the local culture, electricity, internet reliability, or climate challenges (e.g., tropical bugs, cold showers, buying bottled water, slow internet speeds, lack of car seats, monsoon season, sporadic power outages, etc)?

• Accommodation: If accommodation is included, are there photos of the living spaces? Are the floor plans available to browse? Are linens, utilities, and cleaning fees included? Is there a maximum number of people per living space? Are you sharing bathrooms, lounges, balconies, kitchens, or bedrooms with other families?

• No Accommodation Provided: If the hub does not provide accommodation, do they help you understand where to look for appropriate lodging for your family? This would include areas that are central to their activities as well as neighborhoods to avoid for safety reasons.

• Meals: How many meals are provided? Do you have a good idea of how filling the food is? Do they share a sample menu and offer options for dietary needs? Have you seen pictures of typical meals? If they don't provide meals, do they give guidance on what sort of planning you need to do (pack a picnic, create a community menu and everyone helps cook, expect to eat lunches at a restaurant, need to make dinner reservations every weekend)?

• Wi-Fi/Workspace: If the hub provides a workspace, is the internet speed shared? Are there quiet areas for calls? Have you seen a picture of the work area? Are outlet adaptors provided? Brainstorm what you expect for a solid workspace experience and doublecheck that the hub is providing all the pieces you need.

Lisbon New Year's Pop-Up 2023/2024

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5. Legitimate Payment System

Clear, legitimate payment systems are non-negotiable.

• Pricing Clarity: Is the cost easy to understand (adults, children, siblings, accommodation, included amenities, etc.)? Are ages clearly stated for each rate? Are discounts for additional children simple to calculate?

• Payment Schedule: Can you find specific information for the deposit and final payment dates?

• Proper Invoice & Receipt: Some hubs are not accustomed to logging their payments. Ask for a detailed invoice, especially if you're expecting a large amount of amenities.

• Secure Payment Methods: Is the hub using normalized business payment systems (like Stripe,

  PayPal/Venmo business accounts, Wise business accounts, invoicing platforms like WaveApps, Zoho, or FreshBooks)? Registered business bank transfers or credit card checkout on a website ensure that the system protects the consumer in case things go astray.

  
  

Red Flag!! Personal PayPal, personal Venmo, Zelle, bank transfers to a personal account, or payments through a donation/tip website (Buy Me a Coffee, GoFundMe, Patreon, Ko-fi) are not appropriate for hub payments. Request a business PayPal or Venmo account where you can specify "for Goods or Services" (this costs the business a fee on their end but also protects the buyer). Legitimate businesses cannot accept donations or tips in exchange for services, only on top of paid services. Hubs lacking proper payment platforms may indicate that the hub is not a registered entity, or that they don’t have systems in place to track payments, issue receipts, or handle refunds.

Kuala Lumpur 2024

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6. Be Open—But Realistic

Many wonderful communities are just getting started! However, organizing worldschool gatherings takes significant time, skill, and planning. Every established hub owner I know has consistently refined their website, marketing, program details, and amenities to define a service they can solidly promise. New hubs will also need to do this, so cut them some slack as they gain experience in the field.

When a hub’s materials are clear, professional, and thorough, it’s a strong sign that the hosts are investing the time and energy required to create a safe and solid experience for your family!

Hopefully the hub's literature answers all your questions (please, please read through their information packets, FAQs, and blog posts describing what to expect). If it does not, then reach out to the hub and find the answers before you enroll.

Example Questions to Ask Before You Commit

1. How many families and children can enroll?

2. What ages is the program designed for?

3. Can the program accommodate children with learning disabilities or developmental needs?

4. Are there programming options or amenities for the adults?

5. What is the payment amount, deadline dates, and method?

6. What’s the structure of a typical day / week / month?

7. Who leads drop-off activities, and what’s their experience and background?

8. What is the safety policy of the hub in case of a medical emergency?

9. What’s the refund, transfer, or credit policy if we choose to cancel our trip (or can’t attend due to illness, family emergency, or travel delays)?

10. In co-living hubs, what on-site guidance is offered if families struggle sharing space?

Tashkent Pop-Up 2024

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🚨Common Red Flags🚩

And most importantly, if you notice red flags, it's likely the program has inconsistencies as well.

Here's is what to beware when considering any hub:

• Flowery Language: Vague descriptions with no concrete details or evidence of what amenities are provided. Anyone can use AI to create their hub descriptions. A trained eye can catch AI writing (example: a vibrant community with authentic cultural immersion, children frolic in the leafy playgrounds while adults enjoy cozy cafes).

• Ambiguous Amount of Service Provided: Your family should understand exactly what the hub is committed to provide... and they also should specifically state what is not included.

• Lack of Contact Person/ Hub Leader: Some hubs are managed remotely and do not offer local contacts. Notice if a hub has no visible organizers, unclear leadership on the ground, or no reliable way to reach the hub founder. These all are questionable ways to run a community-based business.

• Non-Standard Payment Methods: Steer clear of requests for non-refundable payments to personal accounts or donation platforms. It's best to pay via an authentic business website, with a credit card processing system, or with a business account on alternative payment platforms (like PayPal or Venmo).

• Hidden Cancellation Policy: Hubs have a wide range of business policies, but they should be easy to find. An established business might have non-refundable or non-transferable tickets and that's fine... but they often ask you to acknowledge that upfront so there are no surprises.

• Photos That Do Not Match the Program: Watch for photos that look staged, empty, inconsistent, are at the wrong destination, or only include the same people.

• Pressure to Purchase: Avoid succumbing to aggressive selling techniques that encourage you to quickly reserve your family's place without a chance to do your due diligence.

• "Duplicate" Hubs: This applies to two different situations where newer hubs create confusion in the marketplace: same destination or similar business names. Both issues have happened more than once in recent years. Families need to carefully research the hub they want to attend and doublecheck that the hub they book has the program they expect to receive.

  • New hubs launched in locations where established hubs already exist create confusion because families may only know the hub's city. They may not recognize the exact hub name... and they might pick the first hub that shows up for that destination.

  • Hubs creating similar business names to well-established worldschool hubs are equally confusing because it is difficult to differentiate which hub families picture in their minds when they hear the business name. Reviews (both fantastic and negative) can be confused with the other hub.

• Lack of Communication: If you've reached out to the hub with questions (Facebook comments, tagging the hub owner, sending email, using a contact form on a website), have you received answers in a timely manner? Have they offered the clarification you need to make an informed choice, or have their answers been vague or disorganized? If communication feels scattered or inconsistent, this may reflect how the hub itself will run.

• No Transparent Pricing: If pricing is overly complicated or not easily obtained, you'll need to ask yourself why the program is making it difficult for you to access this basic information for you to enroll.

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RESOURCES

For Families: Here is a blog post I keep with some of the established worldschool hubs. You will still need to research each hub's offering and reviews. Please reach out with additions, I'm always updating when new hubs have run a few sessions and have easy-to-find public reviews. Where Do I Find Worldschool Community? (you can email director@worldschoolpopuphub.com)

And lastly, cheers to all the new hubs! You're embarking on a very rewarding journey and I wish you well with your ventures.

For Hub Owners: If you're looking for guidance in how to create and manage your program, I'm available as a community-based business consultant (US$150/hr). I also teamed up with other hub leaders. We designed a course to help you develop a sustainable worldschool hub. We teach you how to build a solid foundation that helps you prevent snags along the way.

Information is on the website: Worldschool All Stars

London Pop-Up September 2025

PS If you have more information for me to include in this article or the Worldschool Community blog post, please email director@worldschoolpopuphub.com, thanks!

PPS I'm turning off comments on this post as I don't want to monitor any negativity toward hubs. Please channel your reviews into the Facebook groups set up for worldschoolers (links are in the blog post about Where Do I Find Worldschool Community? )

PPPS Here is the detailed info from the Worldschool Pop-Up Hub. If anything is missing or you have additional questions, please reach out in our Contacts Form (link in the footer below 👇)!

Worldschool Pop-Up Hub Base Information:

• Event Details like what is/isn't included: https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/event-details

• Frequently Asked Questions:

  https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/faqs

• Current event calendar: https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/upcoming-events

• The value one finds in attending worldschooling gatherings:

  https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/post/value-of-a-pop-up

• How to prepare for attending a pop-up: https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/post/pop-up-prep

• Articles & videos others have made about attending our events: https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/extras

• Kid Counts are published in the newsletter (sign up in the footer of the website) and also in the private Facebook group made for each popup (Facebook Group link is in the full details for the event, click "register now" or "read more" if you're not seeing all the information)