The Sudbury Experience is a concept that developed over the last 50 years at Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts. In this school, and now in others, students join together daily to do life, democratically, and in the process they learn. There are no set agendas or laid out courses during Sudbury Experience times. Students of all ages may play, hang out together, go to a quiet room, work on computers, do art, practice music, look up things they are interested, go to the park, work on the organic garden, do make-up, study about something want to do, cook, or just be.

 

Students can attend Student Meetings and Vote on all aspects of the school democratically. Teachers and Students votes count the same, regardless of the age of the voters. Students and teachers choose rules of the school. During Sudbury Experience times, students get full choice of what they want to do as long as a staff member is there. Staff members are present to serve the students needs and help them achieve their goals. Teachers may make recommendations, but students get the final choice in what they do with their day. This develops interest-based time management in a positive, social environment.

 

 

 

 

The classic Sudbury School does not have any formal classes or structured academics. The students attend each day, choose what they want to do, play, and make every decision with no academic requirements, no testing, and no homework. They only learn academics in reference to something they are interested in.

 

At Think Cherry Tree, we allow the majority of the student's time on campus to enjoy our Sudbury Experience, but we do have structured essential academics once or twice a week, depending on age, with a bit of homework. We allow for a very flexible learning environment. Some students come only for our Academic Classes and Performing Arts Day. Other Students come for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week with Academic an Sudbury learning. This allows us to prepare students for school changes (in case they move), jobs, college or career. We provide guest speakers, enriching experiences, field trips, internships and more. Students become life-long self motivated learners.