What Is Someday School?

(originally published at http://emaze.me/somedayschool)

When thinking about Someday School, I don't plan on following any particular school model to a T. I would like to think of the school as a kaleidoscope that is free to change and grow as time goes on and as we learn what works and doesn't work.

However, I've been doing a lot of research on nontraditional models of school where students are free to learn. Here are a few models I've learned about. 

"Free School"- I first learned about nontraditional schools when I read a book about the Albany Free School. At this school, when students arrive each day, they make their own plan for what they want to do and learn. Structured classes in subjects like reading, math, art and music are offered, but students do not have to attend them. They also get to help decide what classes will be offered. Students and staff all help take care of the school and share the chores and upkeep. They also all help make decisions about things such as school rules and consequences, field trips, etc. 

Sudbury School - A Sudbury School is very similar to the Albany Free School. A few of their theories are: 1. If given the chance, many children are already great at creativity, imagination, alertness, curiosity, thoughtfulness, responsibility, and judgement. Skills they lack can be taught through living life with adults as positive role models. 2. All people are curious by nature, and the best learning takes place when a person is motivated by their own curiosity and pursue the learning on their own. 3. Freedom is necessary in the development of responsibility. Like at the Free School, students decide how they will spend their time each day. They also have weekly meetings to make decisions about all aspects of running the school.

Agile Learning Center - This school model is based on the theories that learning is natural, that people (including children) learn the most when they make their own decisions, that people learn more from their environment and culture than from what they are taught, and that playing is one of the most important aspects of learning. Adults have the role of creating a safe and nurturing place for students to explore and learn, building strong relationships with students, acting as role models, and supporting students in their learning without giving lots of directions. Adults are considered "facilitators" of learning. 

Waldorf School - Similarly to the previous models mentioned, Waldorf Schools believe that children should not be forced to accomplish specific academic goals (such as reading) at a prescribed age. They also believe that play is very important for children's learning and development. They do have a specific curriculum that teachers and classrooms must follow. 

Montessori School - Similarly to the first 3 models of schooling, Montessori schools believe in giving children choices about their learning and that they should be allowed to follow their interests and curiosity. Like Waldorf Schools, they limit choices to specific things offered by the teacher. Unlike the first 3 models, Montessori schools believe that all children develop and learn in a specific pattern. 

Unschooling - This is usually a type of homeschooling, meaning that the students do not go to a specific place on a daily basis to do their learning. Similar to Free Schools, Sudbury Schools, and Agile Learning Centers, students decide how they want to spend their time and follow their own curiosity and interests. This is different from traditional homeschooling, where parents choose or plan the curriculum and teach it to their children. In families that unschool, the adults consider themselves to be learners along with the children. Some Free Schools, Sudbury Schools and Agile Learning Centers allow unschoolers to participate in a drop-in basis. 

I imagine drawing from all of these models when creating Someday School. Agile Learning Center puts out a free "starter kit", which is more of a book of guidelines on how to create a school, and I have so far been following their starter kit as I go along. However, the good thing about starting this type of school is that you don't have to strictly adhere to a certain model... you can bend and change as you go along!