Sudbury Valley School
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (November 2009) |
| The Sudbury Valley School | |
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| Location | |
| 2 Winch Street Framingham, MA United States |
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| Information | |
| Established | 1968 |
| Faculty | 9 |
| Grades | ungraded, ages 4+ |
| Number of students | 140–210 |
| Campus size | 10 acres (40,000 m2) |
| Campus type | suburban |
| Philosophy | Sudbury |
| Governance | School Meeting (democratic, vote by students and staff) |
| Website | http://www.sudval.org |
The Sudbury Valley School was founded in 1968 in Framingham, Massachusetts,[1] United States. There are now over 30 schools based on the Sudbury Model in the United States, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The model has two basic tenets: educational freedom and democratic governance. It is a private school, attended by children from the ages of 4 to 19.
Sudbury Valley School practice a form of democratic education in which students individually decide what to do with their time, and learn as a by-product of ordinary experience rather than through classes or a standard curriculum.[2] Students are given complete responsibility for their own education and the school is run by a direct democracy in which students and staff are equals.
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[edit] Facilities
Following the educational philosophy, the school facilities are somewhat different from most schools. There are no traditional classrooms and no traditional classes, although children are free to request instruction on any subject or talk to any staff member about an interest.[3]
[edit] Staff
There is no tenure at Sudbury Valley School. The School Meeting, with each participant receiving one vote, hires staff, as part of its duties in running the school. Every year, in the Spring, elections are held for next year's staff. Anyone who wants to serve has to place their names in nomination. The School Meeting debates the school's staff needs, and discusses each candidate in turn. There is an election with secret paper ballots which is open to all students and staff. Staff are not chosen solely through this election; rather, staff candidates must meet a threshold of support in the election in order to be hired, but they are hired at a School Meeting.[citation needed]
- Daniel Greenberg, founder
- Hanna Greenberg, founder
- Mimsy Sadofsky, founder
- Joan Rubin, founder
- (former staff) Mark Bell[4]
- Scott David Gray[5]
- Mikel Matisoo
- Denise Geddes
- Kelly Gilsenan
- Kristin Wilson
The Arts and Crafts Corporation also currently employs a part-time pottery instructor.
[edit] Curriculum
The school has no required academic activities, and no academic expectations for completion of one's time at the school. Students are free to spend their time as they wish.[citation needed]
[edit] Alumni
Sudbury Valley School has published two studies of their alumni over the past forty years. They have learned, among other things, that about 80% of their students have graduated from college,[6] and that they have gone on to become successful in many areas of life.[7] There have, as yet, been no formal studies of graduates of other Sudbury schools, but anecdotally, they seem to have similar results.[6][8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Greenberg, D. (2007). "Announcing a New School…". The Sudbury Valley School Press. http://sudburypress.com/home?page=shop.product_details&product_id=38.
- ^ "Sudbury Valley School: About Us". http://www.sudval.org/01_abou_02.html. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ Hara Estroff Marano: Psychology Today Magazine: Education: Class Dismissed. May/Jun 2006.
- ^ The Phoenix - Cellars by Starlight, Rock-and-roll dreams - Thundertrain return; John Powhida and the Rudds obsess, Brett Milano, 8 August 2003.
- ^ Scott's homepage
- ^ a b Greenberg, D; Sadofsky, M (1992). "Legacy of Trust". The Sudbury Valley School Press. http://sudburypress.com/home?page=shop.product_details&product_id=31.
- ^ Greenberg, D,; Sadofsky, M.; Lempka, J. (2005). The Pursuit of Happiness: The Lives of Sudbury Valley Alumni. United States: Sudbury Valley School Press. ISBN 188894725X.
- ^ Greenberg, D. (1996) "OUTCOMES." Retrieved on 2009-03-19 (see with Explorer).
[edit] Further reading
- Raymond H. Hartjen, The Preeminent Intelligence – Social IQ (Sudbury model of democratic education). Social skill development and its relevance to the further refinement of the intellect. Retrieved June 8, 2009. (see with Explorer).
[edit] External links
- Documentary including Sudbury Valley School, 2009, 30 minutes, www.teachers.tv
Coordinates: 42°19′28″N 71°27′53″W / 42.32444°N 71.46472°W
