Programs

The principal program of the Village Free School, our general school program is for students between the ages of five and eighteen, and is the most comprehensive and substantial program we have to offer.

Our school is a private, independent, non-profit school that operates democratically and provides traditional academic as well as holistic and informal character building programming. Our school has chosen to not pursue accreditation at this point, to allow for more flexibility in programming, and to permit a great degree of student choice and autonomy that would not be possible under a more traditional structure. Instead of graduating with a traditional transcript and GPA, our students graduate through a rights of passage based culmination project that calls for demonstration of adult skill and ability. Culmination projects are fully designed by, and carry deep personal meaning for the students seeking to graduate. Students who leave our school get jobs, go to college, travel, or join the military just like students who graduate from other schools, the key difference being in value of experience. Our students are capable problem solvers, communicators, creative, and well adjusted.

To meet the needs of our student body of about 55 we have age specific home rooms, five full time staff advisors, three part time core volunteers, two to three full time intern staff, and numerous community volunteers. We have a large kitchen, gymnasium, grassy outdoor space, black-top for bikes and scooters, a small auditorium space, an industrial arts studio, an art studio, as well as reservable classrooms and study zones. Our school is based on a razor thin budget and a cultural commitment to being frugal. Nearly all of our equipment is donated or found second hand, and we like it this way.

Each student in the general school program has one vote in All School Meeting, and plenty of opportunity to take advantage of all our school has to offer. The general school program is considered full time, September to June, 8:00am to 4:00pm, complete with seasonal breaks, family conferences, and summer vacation.

Many of our families are former homeschooling and unschooling families, and we are uniquely attuned to the joys and challenges of taking personal control of your education. For some families, the need for community, the need for an occasional break, and the need for interesting new opportunities has brought them to our door-step. There is no need to give up your homeschooling in order to join in on the fun we are having.

Homeschooling and unschooling families are encouraged to participate in our Open School Program. The Open School Program allows for you to participate one day a week and includes any planned field trips no matter what the day. Seasonal programs, special events, field trips, and one school day a week are included with enrollment in the Open School Program.

Here's how it works:

1. You get to choose one day a week to participate. You pick one day out of each week to attend our school. You can choose the same day every week or mix it up.

2. Once you are a member of our Open School Program you are welcome to join us for any field trip that interests you. It won't matter what day or time. If we are going on a planned trip and you want to come, you can. You will need to pay the cost of the trip just like every other student at our school.

3. You are part of our community. You are invited to join us for our All School Camping Trip (Sept. 9-11), to participate in our winter and spring programs, and to come once per week all year long.

Families in our school and in the surrounding community need safe, affordable, fun, and engaging after school experiences for their children.

The After School Program offers students a chance to get their after-school energy out, get help with homework if they need it, learn new and fun games, and make use of their creative energies. We believe an after-school program should offer a structured, but not rigid, place for winding down after school, and has all of the following to offer:

Our program runs from 3:00pm to 6:00pm every weekday, except on seasonal breaks, holidays, and during the summer. We have two dedicated staff for our group of five to fifteen after-school participants. Nutritious snacks are available to students who require a bit to eat, all it takes is a small walk down to the kitchen.

The After School staff are given the autonomy to determine what schedule and activities to engage in each day, and are committed to providing opportunities for students to move their bodies, be creative, get homework finished, and relax.

The after school program is open to all children of our surrounding community, not just to students of the Village Free School.