PREV BEGIN Sudbury Maui Learning Center

Sudbury Maui Learning Center,
an alternative to homeschooling
At Sudbury Maui Learning Center children pursue their passions. The campus is abuzz with all forms of play, projects and conversation. Staff are important as role models rather than as authority figures. They create a safe environment that accommodates REAL practice of life itself.

In the democratic setting, rules are made, changed or discarded by majority vote at School Meeting. Each student and staff member has one vote. In this way, students get real life experience in exercising responsibility. In practice, it works surprisingly well. Disputes or rule infractions are handled either by mediation or by a judicial committee modeled after the US Grand Jury system.

Sudbury Maui is a place where the main task for young people is to go through the step by step inner growth that brings about whole, hardy, happy and successful people. The young people are inspired, bright eyed, respectful, imaginative and fully alive as kids - having a real childhood - while at the same time, doing the hard work of discovering who they are.

We believe that the Sudbury philosophy embodies the best of human developmental and educational theories and practices. While the approach may seem novel, it has actually been applied successfully in schools all over the US.

Thirty-six years ago, the first of these was founded at Sudbury Valley in Framingham Mass. (see www.Sudval.org. Recognizing that a bold new approach was needed to prepare children for life in the 21st century, the founders developed a structure that would foster these guiding principles:

  1. All humans are naturally curious and creative.
    They want to explore and learn;
  2. Learning that is self-directed is retained;
  3. Children learn best at their own pace and rhythm;
  4. Children, when free to follow their interests, remain life-long learners;
  5. There is an innate desire to mature into functioning adults;
  6. Freedom is essential to the realization of personal responsibility;
  7. By practicing democracy, each individual has the opportunity to
    have full self-expression while learning to be conscious of the
    needs of the group;
  8. Interaction among all ages promotes learning.

We think it is the school for NOW and the future.

An abundant helpful material is available on the web at www.Sudburymaui.org and its links to the other schools, most of which have an array of excellent articles available.

Do make an appointment and come see for yourself.

Liz Wertheim, 573-1819
Sudbury Maui.