We support the learning process, we don’t teach children- we ask the right questions. 

Self- Directed Education: Self-Directed Education (SDE) is a model where learners take charge of their own goals, methods, and pacing. Instead of following a standardized curriculum, individuals pursue their intrinsic curiosity and life experiences to learn. This approach rejects coercive, forced schooling in favor of autonomy, play, and community engagement. 

SDE is diverse and can take many different forms depending on what works best for the learner:

• Families provide a rich environment and resources, allowing children to learn through everyday life, have equal say in rules, curriculum, and spaces where young people can gather, collaborate, take freely-chosen classes, and access mentors without traditional testing or forced grading.

Core Principles

• Autonomy: Learners decide what, when, how, and who they learn from.

• Intrinsic Motivation: Relies on a person's natural curiosity, sociability, and playfulness rather than coercive reward-and-punishment systems.

• Real-World Application: Emphasizes active problem-solving and experiential learning over rote memorization.

Why People Choose SDE

• Individualized Pacing: Removes the "one-size-fits-all" limitation, allowing students to speed up or slow down depending on the topic.

• Agency: Treats learners as respected individuals whose opinions and preferences matter.

• Life Preparation: Fosters soft skills like goal setting, time management, and critical thinking

Self-Directed Education does not preclude the possibility of asking for and accepting help or directions or even taking a structured course directed by a teacher, as long as that is clearly the learner’s choice and not imposed upon the learner.

What it used to look like:

Teach children what we think they should know, directed by teachers

Tell them what to do/ How to be/ when to do it. 

What it created: 

Children who don’t trust themselves, who can’t think for themselves and who don’t have self-confidence. They are taught to fill a role instead of being innovative, creative, and able to solve problems. 

John Dewey’s educational theory, sometimes called experimentalism or pragmatism, states that “education is a continuous process of growth rather than a mere preparation for future life”. He encouraged "learning by doing," and students learn best through active social engagement, hands-on experiences, and practical problem-solving.

The core pillars of Dewey's philosophy include:

• Experiential Learning ("Learning by Doing"): Dewey argued that passive reception of knowledge is ineffective. Students must actively interact with their environment and reflect on those experiences to build a deeper understanding.

• Education for Democracy: In his book Democracy and Education, he states that schools should act as miniature democratic communities. Students learn to collaborate, reason together, and respect diverse perspectives, which prepares them for active civic participation.

• Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Dewey believed knowledge is interconnected. He argued against teaching subjects in isolation, advocating instead for thematic, real-world projects that seamlessly blend skills like math, science, and literacy.

• The Teacher as a Facilitator: Rather than acting as a traditional lecturer who dispenses rote facts, the teacher should guide the inquiry process. They are tasked with creating environments that spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking.

Our Daily Rhythm

Morning group:

10:00-10:30 Soft start arrival and Morning Hearth with snack (community agreements and intentions

10:30-11:00 Mothers: Open Air Freedom, Mother’s circle and grounding.

Children: Open play

11:00-12:00 Children: Wilderness scouting, Nature Creativity, Music

For Mothers: Deep Work & Project Time: Quiet, uninterrupted hour for mothers to pursue writing, businesses, crafts, or rest.

12:00-12:30 Lunch & Care Circle (Shared cleanup, self-care monitoring, gratitude)

12:30-1:00 Closing (Reflection/Journaling/Story-Sharing

Afternoon group:

2:00-2:30 Soft start arrival and Afternoon Hearth with snack (community agreements and intentions

2:30-3:00. Mothers: Open Air Freedom, Mother’s circle and grounding.

Children: Open play

3:00-4:00 For Children: Creative Expression & Stewardship (Process art studio, theater and restoration projects)

For Mothers: Deep Work & Project Time: Quiet, uninterrupted hours for mothers to pursue writing, businesses, crafts, or rest. ‍

4:00-4:30 Closing (Reflection/Journaling/Story-Sharing)

Hours

Fall session: Tuesdays and Fridays, September 7th- November 20th (with an option to add Mondays)

Spring session: Tuesdays and Fridays, March 15th- May 28th ( with option to add Mondays)

Cost

Mixed-age grouping encourages older children to support younger ones. This program offers a mix of drop-off and integrative work within our space to build a true multi-generational village.

$25 per child for am ( $10 off per additional sibling)

$20 per child for pm ($10 off per additional sibling)

-additional $5 off for the entire day

If you attend 2 days a week additional $5 off

Monthly Sunday Afternoon Women’s Gatherings

Every 3rd Sunday we will spend time with the book Sacred Ceremony for a Sacred Earth. In community with other mothers we will share our presence, our connection and a meal. $20

Monthly Men’s Project

Coming soon…

Additional Information

If you are a mother or father who would also like to become part of our parental support you will receive a discounted rate on tuition. (Please inquire)

The fees are based on families attending, for drop off: There is an added cost of $25 per child per day.

Our goal is to build a community of families that want to support one another, we can’t wait to see how this evolves.

For questions and to join our list of potential families, email me: schultze2322@gmail.com