Mission

Our mission is to provide places of uninhibited learning and development for children.

To allow self determination and foster practical, functioning democratic living and children’s rights.

To not impede individual learning processes and help strengthen every child’s self empowerment.

To discover the world.

To interact with the community.

To have fun!

Overview

The California Free School is a democratic free school system, sponsoring, partnering and founding new self-guided schools and learning centers in the state of California. Using models such as the Sudbury, Albany, Brooklyn Free Schools as well as many others, dating back to the famed Summerhill School, the California Free School functions under the belief that children are born learners and have the right to determine their own education in their own way.

The schools have no grades, no age segregation, no testing and no homework.

Students are free to engage with anyone at the schools in the interest of play, work or study, in any way, as long as it doesn’t impede on another’s rights or established rules of safety.

Generally, decisions regarding the functioning of the schools are made through a democratic process, with the implementation of rules, resolution of conflicts and introduction of ideas all discussed and determined through regular meetings wherein each student and staff have equal power through a debate and voting process, no matter what their age.

Tuition is kept as low as possible and part time options are often available.

The first California Free School partnership is the Alcove Learning Center in Downtown Los Angeles, with more to come.