Democracy
The Free School is a unique and important model of true community based education.
We are a school that believes that kids should be kids. We do not give standardized tests and homework. At the Free School, kids learn through play, exploration and our approach fosters creative thinkers.
The Free School is an incubator for innovative schools and child-centered educational practices and a progressive model of education that is responsive to a world that is full of learning experiences and styles. Over the past decade the Free School has directly inspired and helped to start more than a dozen schools and alternative learning spaces across the country and around the world.
We are part of a long tradition of democratic free schools and anarchist modern schools that aim to put control of education back in the hands of communities instead of the state. There are many school like ours across the country and around the world: Brooklyn Free School, Espacio A, Chicago Free School, Three Rivers Free School, Shikshantar, Village Free School, Patchwork School, Agile Learning Center and many others!
Learn more about democratic free schools and other schools like ours by visiting: www.educationrevolution.org
Teach The Children & Let Them Lead
The Free School is an integral part of a vibrant and diverse neighborhood in Albany’s historic South End. We engage students in volunteering, local events, learning about different cultures and supporting important social justice efforts led by people in our community.
No Child Left Inside
An important part of The Free School experience is getting outdoors into nature. Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them. Not only do we regularly go on outings to local parks and go on hikes, but the school also owns a 200 acre tract of woods in Grafton, across the road from the Peace Pagoda, where kids learn wilderness skills and explore.
Another distinct feature of The Free School are the end of year class trips. Every group of students goes on a big trip in the spring, with our Junior High class embarking on the most ambitious. Our oldest group undertakes a major 7-10 day trip built around one or more community service projects. In recent years students have traveled to New Orleans to help with post-Katrina cleanup, and Puerto Rico to help clean beaches and learn about coral reef conservation.
The experience represents a rite of passage for them, not only because they have to cope with being far from home in unfamiliar surroundings for an extended period, but also because they have to figure out how to raise all of the funds and organize the trip themselves.
Food Is Life, Make It Healthy & Fresh
Our kitchen is a fully functioning classroom where we prepare two hot meals every day. Students help choose, plan and cook the meals. Through our backyard garden we connect students to the food they eat. We also love visiting farms and engaging in discussions about nutrition, food justice, farming and sustainability.
Do to covid 19 students will be required to provide their own lunches and snacks. If your family is experiencing food insecurity we will support your learner(s) by providing your family with respectful and confidential support.
The Garden will continue to be a dynamic outdoor classroom!
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