A rich tapestry of themes.

What is a self-governing unschooling school REALLY like?

In perusing the websites of other self-governing schools, and in listening to audio CD lectures by Dan Greenberg and Mimsy Sadofsky (founders of the original self-governing Sudbury Valley School), one thing becomes glaringly apparent: self-governing schools are SO different in SO MANY ways from traditional schools that it is impossible to describe adequately.

Dan Greenberg explains it using a wonderful analogy: that there are many “themes” present in a self-governing school; and if you think of each theme as a thread, you’ll find that the threads weave together into a tapestry that is impossible to imagine and challenging to describe.

So, what are the “themes” of a self-governing school?

1. Children can be trusted to take charge of their time and their learning.

2. Everyone (staff, parents, students) is equally valued.

3. The only evaluation is SELF-evaluation.

4. No pursuit/activity is valued above any other pursuit/activity (children are free to play!).

5. Natural curiosity drives learning.

6. There is no prescribed curriculum.

7. Age mixing encourages responsibility, caring and thoughtfulness.

8. Age mixing allows anyone to be a teacher or a learner.

9. The presence of many students allows them to find others with similar interests.

10. Participating in governing the school cultivates civic responsibility and self-advocacy.

11. The school prepares the child for real life, because they experience real life learning.

12. The day-to-day affairs of the school are governed by the students.

13. Children are free to spend their time engaging in any activity they wish.

14. Children learn as a by-product of ordinary experience.

15. Staff do not coerce or even encourage students to follow a particular path, but simply respect the students’ decisions.

16. Hours of attendance are flexible, so long as students attend 5 hours per day between 8am and 5pm.

17. Older students are free to leave campus (much like SAMI and SOTA in Tacoma).

18. Students are entirely responsible for their success in academics.

19. Students can request lessons..

20. Students create the rules, and are expected to know and follow them.

21. Rules are enforced through a peer justice system.

22. There is no hierarchy among staff, children, and other employees. There is no principal.

23. The school supplies a rich learning environment with many resources.

I’m sure I’ve missed some of the themes or nuances that make an unschooling school uniquely suited for learning, as the themes underpinning this school environment are sophisticated and multifarious.

Now imagine each theme as a single thread, of specific color, weight and materials. Each thread on it’s own is unique, beautiful and vibrant. I’m sure you can picture each individual thread… BUT can you picture how they come together to weave an amazing tapestry? Probably not (well, I couldn’t!). And the same threads may be made into a different tapestry, depending on WHO is weaving. The tapestry may even change subtly from year to year, adjusting as needed to the concurrent student community. Each thread is required to complete the tapestry AND each thread amplifies the beauty of the others.

This is powerful!