About Sudbury Valley School

Sudbury Valley School was founded in 1968 by a group of parents and other adults who were interested in figuring out "what they thought was the best idea for education young people" (Mimsy Sadofsky, co-founder).  They decided that children were just like all human beings in that they are naturally curious and want to understand the world around them.  They were determined not to push children to learn certain segments of information deemed important by political and/or social rules, but rather to allow children to develop at their own pace and in their own unique ways.  They were sure that all human beings encounter the information they need in order to learn and develop throughout the course of their own lives in a natural way.

The adults at SVS are called "staff members.  Sometimes they can be found teaching, just like some of the kids can be seen teaching as well, but primarily they are at the school to be resources.  As resources, they help to make sure the school is run properly and they serve as adult role models for the students.  According to the school's website;

Some of us are generalists, some of us are specialists. We're all elected for one year at a time – there's no tenure – and I think what we're elected for is who we are rather than our specific teaching abilities. That doesn't necessarily mean that we don't have those abilities. We often do – most of us do – and most of us do some work in areas in which we have expertise. It's just that that's not necessarily how we're going to be spending most of our time.

For more information visit http://www.sudval.org/