When Kids Rule the School

When Kids Rule the School lays out the theory and practice of self-directed democratic schooling Written by the co-founder of The Circle School, open since 1984. This book is the first comprehensive guide to the theory and practice. In self-directed democratic schools, kids practice life in a microcosm of society, empowered as voters, bound by laws, challenged by choice, supported by community, and driven by nature. When Kids Rule the School shows you how it works, in concept and in practice, focusing on one of the oldest such schools in North America. Covers how the school is governed by students and staff together and offers a look at day-to-day life in a democratic school Self-directed schools have been around for 50 years, with dozens in North America and many more worldwide. Includes dozens of personal stories. Self-directed democratic schooling results in higher rates of college attendance, more undergraduate and graduate degrees, healthy relationships with authority, and unflinching self responsibility. Identifies 14 new learning-teaching methods and modes, previously unavailable in schools

Intended audience
Parents, especially homeschoolers and unschoolers, teachers, and scholars of education who are looking for alternatives to the mainstream education system.

International:
Democratic schools exist worldwide. Summerhill School, the world's first democratic school, is located in the UK.

 

DEMOCRATIC SCHOOLS

US Cities with Democratic Schools
California
      Deep Springs College (Deep Springs)
Illinois
      Shimer College (Chicago)
      Maine Liberty School (Blue Hill, Maine)
Maryland
      Fairhaven School (Upper Marlboro)
Massachusetts
      Mission Hill School
      Sudbury Valley School (Framingham)
Michigan
      Children's Community School (Ann Arbor)
      Brooklyn Free School (Brooklyn), f. 2004
      Albany Free School (Albany)
      Fifteenth Street School, (Manhattan), (associated with Orson Bean) f. 1964 (closed)
      Lehman Alternative Community School (Ithaca)
North Carolina
      Arthur Morgan School (Burnsville)
Ohio
      Antioch College
Oregon
      Village Free School (Portland)
      Adams High School (Portland) (closed)
Pennsylvania
      The Circle School (Harrisburg)
      The Delta Program, a program within State College Area High School (State College)
      Philadelphia Free School
      The Sphere College Project (Phoenixville)
      Upattinas School and Resource Center (Glenmoore) (closed)
Virginia
      The New School of Northern Virginia (Fairfax)
Washington
      The Clearwater School (Bothell)
West Virginia
      The Highland School (Highland)

International Democratic School
AUSTRALIA
      New South Wales
           Currambena School Lane Cove (Sydney)
      Victoria
           Preshil Kew (Melbourne)
           Alia College Hawthorn East (Melbourne)
      Queensland
           Brisbane Independent School Pullenvale (Brisbane)

INDIA
      Walden's Path (Hyderabad)

ISRAEL
      Democratic School of Hadera (Hadera)
      Makom Ligdol - Democratic school in Hakfar Hayarok (Ramat HsSharon)
      The Keshet School (Zichron Yaakov)

JAPAN
      Kinokuni Children's Village (Kinokuni Kodomo no Mura), Wakayama Prefecture, f. 1992

NEW ZEALAND
      Auckland Metropolitan College, Mt. Eden, (Auckland) --(closed December 2001)
      Tamariki School, (Christchurch)

PORTUGAL
      Escola da Ponte (Vila Das AVES)

UNITED KINGDOM
      Sands School (Ashburton, Devon)
      Summerhill School (Leiston, Suffolk)