An Educational Alternative that Works

I recently received an email from a client "Mary"
you might find interesting. 

Mary writes, "I can’t believe how perfect the timing of
our conversation yesterday was. “Mark” came home (from school) completely down
in the dumps. I was asking him about his day, and he just kept saying how
boring everything was. He said all his friends were bored too. His friend
“Andy” said they should go and complain to the student council or the
principal. I told him that was a fabulous idea. They should get some specific
ideas about some changes that should be implemented, rally up a bunch of kids,
and go to the principal or the school board. “

“I started telling him about the Sudbury school (which I had looked at on line
as you suggested) just to make the point that their model might give him some
ideas. I started reading their web page out loud to him, and I got no further
than the first paragraph (it says something about kids doing whatever they
want, when they want, and how they want all day), and he jumped up and said,
"I want to go there!"

“So we started looking at where their schools are, and they
have one about an hour away. I called them this morning to get an information
packet and arrange a tour. Mark has been so excited about it, he can’t stop
talking about it and asking questions about it. My husband and I also love the
idea (except for the 2 hours of travel.)

His younger brother “Sean” is also excited about it. He
mostly likes the idea of his vote being as powerful as a teacher’s vote!
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation. I also ordered the books you
recommended. I’ll let you know how things go!” 

Can you feel the joy and enthusiasm Mark and Sean feel? I
love this note because it tells us so much about children, who they are, and
what they need and want. Mark and Sean’s enthusiasm about having choices,
options, power, and freedom are true for most, if not all, children. Children
thrive in environments where they have power, autonomy, and true freedom to
choose.

When I asked Mary if I could share her email with you, this
is what she said, "Thanks for all your help! I strongly encourage everyone
to take a look at the Sudbury school system, if for no other reason than to open their minds to other ways to
educate their children and/or improve our public school system. I’m a
traditionally educated person with multiple degrees and a huge skeptic in
general, and this philosophy has won me over!"

If you’d like to know more about the democratically-run Sudbury Valley School and their affiliated schools, go to their web site at www.sudval.org. A book I
recommend you read is "Free at Last".

Let yourself be inspired by
what is possible!