Summary
Organization name
The Boulder Sudbury School
other names
BSS
2014
Tax id (EIN)
47-2073686
Category
Education
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
3800 Plateau RoadLongmont, CO 80503
Boulder County, CO, US
Help us to purchase a home for our school! This campaign represents an ongoing movement toward unlocking the gates to one of the last bastions of freedom--childhood. Funding this campaign supports this movement through the creation of a center of learning in which freedom is primary and which seeks to turn no child away.
Testimonials
"It is refreshing and inspiring to be in a community where children are treated with equanimity. I am eternally grateful to the founding members. Every day that I am on this journey of discovering my lovely daughters is a gift. Before I read Free at Last and other books, I was treating my children as though they needed to be told how to be compassionate adults. In my heart I knew that they were people too, but the mainstream beliefs that children need to be "parented" is pervasive and I felt tremendous pressure to use my influence over them. Now I know that my children know much more about being wonderful people than many of us. Their insight into daily family life has improved the quality of our interactions and every day I feel more joy in our home. I cannot say enough about the mysterious beauty that Boulder Sudbury has brought into our lives." Cara Van Dyke
"The Sudbury model is unique in the world and not for everyone. For us, it is the perfect place for our eleven year old son. He loves going to school and learns something every day. The people who run the school are so tuned in to all of the students, and the very special education philosophy that Sudbury offers. If you're children don't respond well to sitting at a desk all day and following the crowd, take a look at Boulder Sudbury." Bruce Rosard
"I love this school! My son has attended since opening day, and he has grown in so many ways. He now has a place where he is accepted for being himself, his self-esteem has grown immensely, and so has his self confidence. I'm amazed by how far he has come in such a short period of time." Beth Hetlinger
"We love Boulder Sudbury. My two girls attend and they are happy to go to school. Been here since day one and look forward to years of adventure and growth." Natural Mystic
"I love going there! Nobody judges you for being as weird as I am!" Ainsley Lefkoff (a student at Boulder Sudbury)
Mission
The mission of The Boulder Sudbury School is for the education of members of the community of the school and is founded upon the principle that learning is best fostered by self-motivation, self-regulation, and self-criticism, in a social environment that functions as a democratic micro-society. All pursuits are treated equal, and all members of the school community are able to participate in teaching, learning and other school activities so that the School may function as an integrated community. Furthermore, The Boulder Sudbury School allows for opportunities and responsibilities in governing the School to be shared among students, staff, and representatives of the community of the school, maintaining a flexible structure which, while being free to adhere to valid traditional forms, will also be free to create new ones.
In light of the above, The Boulder Sudbury School demonstrates itself through:
Democracy: The values of democracy are inherent in the structure of the school, such that all students, staff/teachers, and members of the community are treated as equals, including the right to vote and raise issues in the weekly assembly referred to as the school meeting. This in turn fosters a sense of trust, justice, and respect within the community of the school and in the world after their time at Boulder Sudbury.
Self-determination: Through the democratic ideals of the school, autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as understood through self-determination theory, are fostered.
Student-centered teaching/learning: Students determine how they spend their days, they determine who to approach when they need assistance learning, and they determine when they have satisfied their interests.
Mixed-ages: Students of all ages may interact with other students, staff, or members of the community of any age. Students of any mix of ages can participate in the same class/activity.
Background Statement
The Sudbury model of education was named after The Sudbury Valley School, was pioneered by its founders in 1968, and lived by its students since that time. There are now many Sudbury schools around the world, and more each year. The success of the Sudbury model and its worldwide demand is due to how courageously it reflects and allows for human nature, individual difference and diversity. In this way, every Sudbury school is unique due to the uniqueness of each student body as well as the staff. The Sudbury model is a paradigm flexible enough to meet the needs of all independent children and teens, who we believe are all innately intelligent, creative, and social. Since Sudbury schools in general offer a rich age-mixed social environment where students are empowered with freedom and responsibility, the innate potential of each student is fostered.
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Organization Data
Longmont, CO 80503