Sudbury Valley School
“For us it made no sense at all to think that you could create citizens of the United States of America – adults who understand the country and respect what it’s about – if you place them for the first 12, 16 or 20 years of their lives in a completely autocratic setting. Schools are run like a monarchy…The monarchy decides the rules, the monarchy meets out punishments, the monarchy decides whatever it says is right and you have to conform to it. If you are going to make a school that is appropriate for children to grow into (American) society, it has to give every single child the same rights as adults. It cannot distinguish between children and adults.”
Daniel Greenberg
No Classes, Curriculum or Grades?
Picture this:
Your child has started a new school and you’re excited because you have found a school that isn’t like the others. A school that offers the freedom for your child to pursue their passions. To make mistakes. A place to mix with various ages and ask questions. A school that your child is excited to be at everyday.
There are no end of the year exams to be anxious about, no essays to write or grades to tirelessly maintain. No curriculum to follow, classes to attend or subjects required. And no teachers or principals imposing rules or punishment.
Does a school like this actually exist?
If there are no classes, teachers, curriculum or grades, what do kids do all day? What would be the purpose of this school? How would they learn to read and write with out classes, curriculum and teachers? Would they ever have a chance at finding a job or getting into college? How would they survive in society if they spent their childhood doing what they wanted all day long?
At times I have heard these concerns raised about unschooling. But this is not unschooling. In fact, this is not even a school for unschoolers.
Democratic School
What if I told you that there are schools whose sole purpose is to provide a place for kids to be truly free and flourish, uninterrupted.
Where kids are free to do as they wish the entire day. This means playing in puddles outside, climbing or building forts. Painting, reading, playing music or even playing video games all day long.
What would happen if a school ran as a democracy? Where every child and staff member at the school has an equal role managing the school. Where everything is done at the school meeting; the school budget, rules of behaviour, facilities, and hiring of staff. And it’s at the school meeting that every member of the school has an equal role and vote. As well, every member of the school community, from the 4 year old students to 70 year old staff members, play an equal part in the school’s judicial system.
This all sounds so idealized but can it actually work?
Daniel Greenberg says YES, it can work and it has been for over 51 years.
Sudbury Valley School
Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts has been in existence since 1968. The school began with about 60 students and around 20 founding members, of which Daniel Greenberg was one of. He remains a staff member to this day.
Dan says that although each founding member came with their own reason for starting the school, they all shared the same belief; that “human creatures are unique, diverse and have the insatiable desire to figure out the world and what they want to be. Kids are fully formed people…and there is no reason to treat them differently.” Sudbury Valley is framed on this belief and the founding principals of the United States. That each individual has the undeniable rights to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right to pursue a meaningful existence.
That is why students at Sudbury Valley School are free to explore the world. Why there are no grades, subjects or curriculum. Why the student decides mastery.
Sudbury Valley School~Kids Are People
In this episode Dan shares;
- The history of Sudbury Valley School and the essential reasons why it exists
- What has accounted for the school’s success
- How it’s democratic structure supports self directed learning
- What kind of kids fair best at Sudbury Valley School
- How students learn the “basic skills”
- Why Sudbury Valley School can not be replicated outside of the United States (even though much effort has been put toward spreading it worldwide)
I also asked Dan to address a common misconception that unschoolers seem to have about Sudbury Valley School; that it is the perfect school for unschoolers. We discuss why Sudbury Valley School and Unschooling have NOTHING in common. (Yes, sorry to burst any bubbles) And why Sudbury Valley School creates the most natural way to help a child become fully independent.
I would love to hear what you think of this episode. Are you familiar with democratic schools? Do you agree that every child must be given the same rights and freedoms as adults? In order to be part of a true democracy we must be an active part of one growing up?
Let the thirst for independence and self expression continue.
If you would like to hear from a parent of Sudbury Valley School, listen to my episode with Dr. Peter Gray:
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