An interview with Summerhill School's head describes how the independent boarding school challenged the British government's demands that it give compulsory lessons. A settlement required the school's philosophy to govern the government's approach to the school; recognized the pupils' voice in evaluations of the school; and acknowledged that…

Graduates of Sudbury Valley School (Framingham, Massachusetts) relate their learning experiences, including the positive relationships they developed with adults, their active role in school administration, the importance of play to their learning, the values they acquired as a result of their schooling, and how their experiences prepared them for…

The co-founders of the Sudbury Valley School (Massachusetts) discuss how the school's philosophy is based on giving children respect, freedom, and support to find their own self-motivation; how play is one of the best learning tools; and the sustained public relations effort that has been required to establish and maintain the school's…

This book surveys the philosophy, methodology, and mechanics of free schools, along with presenting detailed suggestions on how a free school might be organized and administered. The book primarily discusses lower schools but does provide a chapter of information about free schools at the high school level. The book has an artistic format with…

More than 150 schools that offer alternatives to traditional education in San Francisco and the Bay Area are listed in this 60-page catalog. Each entry lists the name, address, phone number and name of the director of each school. Many entries include a 20-200 word description of the school's philosophy, cost, student teacher ratio, total…

Participants who attended three national alternative education conferences in Japan, Indiana, and Israel report on their experiences at the conferences and issues addressed, including freedom versus license, responsibility to poor children, funding for alternative education programs, democratic education, government role, and varying and…

Chris Mercogliano's book about a free school in Albany, New York, advocates liberating children's life energies from the destructive forces of regimentation, repression, and control on which public education is based. An educational philosophy is needed that pays attention primarily to emotional and interpersonal issues, since academic learning…

The Sudbury Valley School was founded in 1968 by a group of Massachusetts parents who felt that a child is a person, worthy of full respect as a human being. It was intended that a nurturing environment be created in which the children themselves chose what they wished to do and scheduled their time. Democracy was a cornerstone of the school's…

The Sudbury Valley School is a nontraditional private school founded in 1968 as a place where each student could be trusted fully to make every decision about how to grow into an adult. This book describes a study conducted in 1991 to determine what became of Sudbury students after they left. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather data…

Two interviews with Akira, a 7-year-old student, describe life at a Japanese residential free school. Modeled after the Summerhill School, the main components are voluntary lessons, self-government through weekly schoolwide meetings and smaller dormitory meetings, and extensive experiential learning through project work. Akira likes Kinokuni…

A teacher describes his experiences during an outdoor expedition with urban students from the Free School in Albany, New York. Time spent at the school's camp is intended to narrow the gap between experience and learning, promote principles of "self-regulation" and "work democracy" encouraging students to manage their own behavior and make…

Followup student interview about Kinokuni Children's Village, a Japanese residential free school modeled after Summerhill School. School features include voluntary lessons, self-government through schoolwide and dormitory meetings, and extensive project work. The school now has secondary programs and another campus. Eight-year-old Akira, in his…

Describes Sudbury Valley School (Framingham, Massachusetts), established in 1965 as an alternative to public education. Discusses the educational philosophy of the democratic school, which stresses the importance of children being free and learning how to govern themselves; daily activities at the school; and how the school has achieved fiscal as…

THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE PRIVATELY FINANCED FREE SCHOOLS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK OF REMINISCENCES. THE SCHOOLS WERE FOUNDED BECAUSE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN THE COUNTY HAD REFUSED TO COLLECT TAXES TO SUPPORT DESEGREGATED SCHOOLS. IN A 3-WEEK PERIOD 100 TEACHERS HAD TO BE FOUND FOR THE MORE THAN…

Founded in 1969 in an inner-city neighborhood, the Albany Free School is based on real freedom, community, democratic principles, and affection and trust between teachers and students. This book provides an in-depth history of the Free School, including a brief analysis of its place in the broader scheme of things; describes the school with…