Sudbury Valley School

Sudbury Valley School Website

Location: Framingham, Massachusetts

Demographics: Private School, approximately 155 students, co-ed

What is unique about this school?

Sudbury Valley School is uniquely unstructured. Students can decide what they want to work on or explore each day. They are not scheduled for classes and do not take tests. Instead, resources and knowledgeable staff are provided for the students to utilize as they choose.

"It is a place where students take full charge of their own educations, where all ideas that interest anyone are freely aired, and where all endeavors are equally valued, as long as they do not hurt others or disrupt the school" (Gray 2013, p. 92).

21st-Century Skills Supported by this School: 

Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Lifelong Learning, Self-Direction, and Personal Management

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy:

Student interests are accepted without judgment. If they want to create a band or play a computer game it is not discouraged. The staff believes that the students find their interests and discipline themselves as they become more aware of and committed to particular skills. Students are free to explore and represent any part of their personal cultures and often take part in discussions with other students giving them exposure to differing backgrounds and views.

Promotion of Creativity in the Classroom for Students and Teachers:

Students can participate in painting, music of any type, and even write, direct, and star in their own films if they choose. Creativity is promoted by the constant availability of materials and instruments and freedom for the students to pursue whatever interests them. Teachers function as assistance to the students' chosen paths. Teachers are free to suggest ideas and open doors to further learning as their students desire.


References:
Gray, P. (2013). Free to Learn: why unleashing the instinct to play will 
          make our children happier, more self-reliant, and better students for 
          life. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Sudbury Valley School. (n.d.) Sudbury Valley School: The cutting edge school 
          for independent children. Retrieved from http://www.sudval.com/