Self-Directed Education
Resource Directory

Sunset Sudbury School

SDE Optimizing Conditions

1. Responsibility – Most children value the sense of order that exists in our community due in large part to our student-led justice system. Everyone gets the message that freedom does not mean license and that with freedom comes responsibility.
2. Youth Autonomy – Students’ time and choice of activities are valued and are managed without intervention or coercion by others.
3. Access to Tools and Technology – We have a certification process that allows all students to use all the schools tools and technology equally. Once they learn how to safely use the tools they become certified and in most cases do not need to be supervised.
4. Adult Allies – Staff members focus on holding the space in which children can be free within the boundaries of safety and respect. Although we practice non-interference as much as possible, we are always available to help students if and when they ask.
5. Free Age Mixing – Age-mixing is one of the key ingredients that make the Sudbury model so successful. Young children learn so much from older students, and older kids become more confident and more responsible when they can freely mix with younger kids.
6. Community – The aim of our program is to provide a setting in which students are independent, trusted and are treated as responsible people who have a full and equal voice in every aspect of their learning.

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