Would you send your child to this school?

[Texan Mouseketeer]

You don't plan every day really! You leave it up to them!

Here are the basics from what I remember: the teachers are simply there, available to the kids. If the kids want to learn algebra, they'll come to you and you'll make an "appointment" with them -- and it's very important that the kids keep that appointment. Then you teach them in your own way, all the basics they'll need as a foundation to learn algebra. So you could have a class full of kids of varying ages -- 4, 10, 12, 15. Can you imagine?

Supposedly, since they're taking an active interest in their learning, they'll learn the material a whole lot faster than they would in a regular school setting. So, learning the basic math just for algebra could take just a couple of weeks. It's unreal.

Okay, I can see it with the appt. thing, because otherwise, if you are too on the spot, you wouldn't be able to do much else besides a textbook approach. You wouldn't have time to get your manipulatives ready or any other sort of hands on materials. I just did a cool lesson today that had so much 'stuff' to it, that if someone just came up to me and said 'teach me about percents' I'd be pulling a book out because I wouldn't have had time to get all that ready!

So, what would you do for the unmotivated kid who had no interest in school - the type that parents have trouble getting out of bed and would do just the bare minimum to scrape by? I picture this kid saying, 'nuthin' to the question of what do you want to do today?

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

So, what would you do for the unmotivated kid who had no interest in school - the type that parents have trouble getting out of bed and would do just the bare minimum to scrape by? I picture this kid saying, 'nuthin' to the question of what do you want to do today?

I just read on the site their answer to my question...sorry!

 

[Chuck S]

I went to 7th and 8th grade at a school that was sort of like a hybrid between this school and a regular school. We had structured classes, but there was age mixing depending upon the individuals students abilities. We had to pass an IQ test with at least 120 before we were admitted. I loved it, social interaction was great, the classes were challenging, not boring. We had advanced classes: physics, Latin, music, geometry, English literature..all in 7th and 8th grade. It encouraged creativity, debate, discussion and sensitivity.

As far as a school as "open" as the one the OP mentions, I would not hesitate to try a child in this school, but I would monitor them closely. I would re-evaluate them annually.

 

[shortbun]

My son's school is very similar. It's called "informal" and because it's a public school, they've had to bend some of the concepts due to state requirements. I love it! Their test scores are some of the highest in the state. They are the highest in the city. Kids do wander but they are given expectations of achievement and they accomplish them wonderfully. There are no desks, no assigned seats. Most kids sit on the floor or couches, bean bags and in lofts. Teachers keep students for a couple of years. We used to have multi age classrooms but those were too hard to handle once state testing came around. Learning is collaborative with the arts team-for instance, math and reading are incorporated into art, dance and of course music. Learning is done in core groups or sections. Children learn without any testing(except those required by the state) or homework as traditionally known. There are no spelling tests, no math tests...it's fairly stress free and children learn as much or more. We are currently phasing in middle school and the school system is considering creating a few more informal schools because of our success. It does require loads of parental input and participation. We have an abnormal amount of volunteerism. It's not mandated, just comes naturally due to the kind of people interested in having their children in this type of environment.

 

[momof2inPA]

Isn't this just Montessori for older kids?

I knew someone who sent her pre-schooler to Montessori only to find out she had been taking naps while there. It was what the child had "chosen" to do. The mom pulled her out because she wasn't paying all that money so "Suzy" could sleep.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I don't know if it would be such a good idea to have a self-guided school philosophy. I'm sure there are kids who would do well, but there are a lot of kids who are unmotivated.

I just look at my two oldest--DD10 is gifted, loves learning, very motivated. She would skip a grade in a heartbeat if it were allowed. She's really into science, dying to learn algebra, etc. The problem is, when she studies a subject on her own, she tends to be very superficial about it. That's not a problem if she's reading about, say, nuclear physics, but with reading early on, and now math, you really need to have those basic concepts cold in order to go to the next level. You know what I mean--to do well in algebra, you really need your basic math facts. In calculus, you need algebra really nailed. Higher level math requires that you have a strong foundation in calculus, etc. I don't believe she would get this if she were setting her own curriculum. She might THINK she had the basics down, but probably wouldn't.

Then there's DS8. Possibly more gifted than his sister, he's what I term "Holy Crap" gifted--the kid the teachers say they've "never seen anyone like". Problem is, he's about as unmotivated as they come! He will do the absolute minimum he's allowed to get away with. In part, it's because he doesn't want to be "different", but a lot of it is that he's a strong willed child who wants to do what he wants to do (computers, Play Station). He has low expectations of himself and needs to be encouraged to work to his ability (or somewhere close). I could see him attending such a school, and finishing with no difficulties, but coming away with precious little that he wouldn't get sitting at home reading books of his own choosing.

But, that's just my two older kids. Perhaps there are kids who would thrive in such an environment. I could see problems. Then again, our public school isn't perfect, but we're satisfied that it's "good enough" at this point in time.

 

[Barb D]

One method of homeschooling is called "Unschooling." Sudbury sounds like it is basically unschooling on a larger scale. Unschooling works for some families and not for others, based at least in part on the atmosphere in the home (is TV allowed, for instance?) and part on the personalities of the kids. It would not have worked in our family. When we homeschooled we did allow the kids to choose interests to study more deeply, but we also had structured math, language arts, etc. I can't see too many kids ASKING to learn grammar, but it is important to learn.

 

[EthansMom]

While the school sounds interesting conceptually, I don't think I'd want my child going to a school like that. My son, for one, needs a firm guiding hand or he'll run all over you. Also, both of my kids thrive on regularity in their lives and get overstimulated easily, so a loose, "do what you want, when you want" philosophy doesn't seem like it would be best for them.

On the other hand, our public school here that DS4 will be starting at next fall has fewer recesses than school had when I was a child. According to my SIL, the kids in the grade school often take only 15 or 30 minutes for recess. I don't think that keeping children in the classroom overlong stuffing them full of learning without any breaks is a good thing either. Kids need some time for "free play".

 

[Marseeya]

One method of homeschooling is called "Unschooling." Sudbury sounds like it is basically unschooling on a larger scale. Unschooling works for some families and not for others, based at least in part on the atmosphere in the home (is TV allowed, for instance?) and part on the personalities of the kids. It would not have worked in our family. When we homeschooled we did allow the kids to choose interests to study more deeply, but we also had structured math, language arts, etc. I can't see too many kids ASKING to learn grammar, but it is important to learn.

I'm not saying I subscribe to this theory, but there are a lot of people out there that don't believe grammar needs to be taught except in context. I've read in a few places that stated grammar instruction is unnecessary. I don't know what I think of that. I do agree that grammar should be taught in context, BUT I think grammar instruction is also important to supplement it.

I've heard of unschooling, but was never sure what it was about. I'll have to check that link out later! Thanks.

 

[eeyore kelly]

No I would not send my children there. I do not trust them to ask for what they need. I do not trust them to be self starters and finishers. It is an interesting concept though.

 

[Acklander]

Actually, this is the school my husband went to years ago. He thrived there. Somedays he would go and just lay on a couch and read all day. Since you can pick what classes you want to take he mainly focused on the math and sciences since those interested him the most. This is where he fell in love with woodworking, and by the time he graduated he was able to get a very good job as a finish carpenter/cabinet maker. Out of all the friends of his I've met who went to the same school, every single one raved about the positive experience they had at the school. If we lived in the area I'd send my kids there in a heartbeat.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just peeked at their home-page.

Would I send my child to this school?

Ummmm, NO!!!

 

[chrissyk]

No, absolutely not. I have to send that link to DH now...he'll get a kick out of it, as will our friends who still live in that area. When I saw where the school was located, it all made sense to me I would have opted for the very overcrowded, academically iffy Catholic school in my town over this place. At least they have a curriculum.

 

[Skylarr29]

I dont think I would.. the idea is not that bad in general.. but what if your child chose to do nothing?? I would want to know what my child was learning and making sure they were on tract. I think its great to foster creativeness and responsibility but children are just that.. children. They NEED someone to set boundries for them and to show them how to be responsible etc.I think this idea would be great if added with maybe a half day of "traditional" learning and then the other half to explore as long as they were in fact doing apropriate activities with there time and not just watching tv etc.

If I had a child that could handle I would still implement my own home schooling to insure my child was learning life skills and the reading , writtig , etc.

 

[cats7494]

Nope - I would not send my dd there. She needs structure and I need definitive proof that this school is better than the "traditional" school.

 

[mom2rb]

I love this school!!! I went to a workshop there a few years ago. I helped start a Sudbury School in Houston. I was a staff member. The problem was that my boys were only two when I was working to get it started. We were there all the time and I burnt them out. Now I home school, but when they want to go to school it will be a Sudbury School. I have done a ton of research on graduates, it is amazing what they have done. I have also met many students, they would come down and help us. You would not believe how great they are.

 

[BelleMcNally]

I went to a Montessori school for pre-school and Kindergarten--about ten years later, when I was accepted into a gifted high school, I found out that half of the kids in my new class at high school had gone to kindergarten with me.

I firmly believe in the Montessori method, and if my classmates and I are any indication, I'd say it's wildly successful.

 

[VSL]

Just subscribing to read later!!

 

[CheshireVal]

In real life, though, after college, you can't just pick and choose what you want to do all day. You can't go into work and decide you'd rather spend the day lying on a couch reading than do your job.

I'm not sure this is really preparing students for the real world.

 

[Skylarr29]

I have just spent some more time reading this and I am not too sure about it. I dont like the fact that "nothing" is really enforced as far as "traditional" education. That is what would worry me. I also wonder about safety ... one of the schools in Maryland(where I want to move soon) says there are woods for students to roam and creeks and fields etc. I just wonder if an adult would be with them or not. Teenagers will be teenagers ( hormones etc.) no matter what, so that kind of worries me... I also wouldnt let my 5 year old go wondering alone through woods or by creeks etc. All the pictures they show dont really ever have any adults in them. I also dont like the fact that there is no standard teaching credentials for the staff.... they do not even have to have any teaching certificates it says on the site and that they hire staff by a student and teacher vote. This sounds more like a summer camp to me. I also wonder a little about the real world later on. When in the work force you do have to learn how to take orders and keep a schedualed life etc. Exploring is great... learning socialazation skills is great... I just dont think complete freedom is right especially for a 5 year old. I mean what if your child doesnt learn to read??? Is that OK since no one every has a set class etc???