by Molly Rahe-Randall | Mar 23, 2020 | Daily life, Parenting, Play, Stories
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. How many times have you heard this? How many times have you been able to make lemonade? What we are experiencing right now in the world is something we will always remember. One moment our children are going to school. The...
by Beth Stone | May 15, 2019 | Daily life, Featured, Play, Stories, What's it all about?
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 | Daily life, Pictures, Play
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 | May 28, 2014 | Parenting, Play, Public policy, Uncategorized
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, Play, 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 Joan | Jan 2, 2014 | Parenting, Play
This post is contributed by parent Joan Cramer, whose sons John and Graham have attended The Circle School since 2008. It’s catalog season again! I’m not much of a shopper, but this time of year I love to curl up with a cup of coffee and a thick stack of catalogs. I...
