by Beth Stone | May 15, 2019 | Ideas, Stories
Even now, after 35 years as a founding staff member, I half dread being asked by a newcomer to explain The Circle School. It could be a neighbor, the friend of a friend, or recently my dental hygienist just before she asked me to open wide. My anxiety arises not from...
by Jim Rietmulder | Feb 8, 2018 | Ideas, Play, Public policy
Last week I traveled to Philadelphia to hear a talk by research psychologist Peter Gray, founder of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education. Dr Gray spoke at Philly Free School, which is, like The Circle School, a self-directed democratic school. Dr Gray starts from...
by Jim Rietmulder | Apr 8, 2015 | Ideas, Public policy
After 30 years of answering questions about The Circle School, new ones don’t come along very often. Last night I answered a new one. At Millersville University’s Alternative Education Forum, I delivered the keynote address. The event organizer, Dr. Scott...
by Jim Rietmulder | May 28, 2014 | Ideas, Parenting, Public policy
Matt likes music that sounds to me like a car crash. Recently I found solace in the softer sounds of Disney’s Frozen, sung and played (endlessly) by younger friends. 18-year-old Matt greets me with a big smile and genuine warmth; ready to engage, caring about...
by Jim Rietmulder | Mar 11, 2014 | Daily life, Ideas, Stories
Five minutes before the Hour Of No Rules, I saw Cord and Zach sneaking out of the conference room lavatory. It was Zach who had proposed to suspend the rules for an hour, and brought it to a vote with mischief behind his charming grin. And Cord—well, Cord is our...
by Julia James | Mar 3, 2014 | Daily life, Ideas, Stories
If I’m being honest, it wasn’t anarchy, but something more akin to libertarianism. The rules weren’t really gone, but School Meeting voted to suspend enforcement of any victimless violations. And not even all of the rules were gone — those...
