Updated 2018-09-21

Macomber Center

A self-directed learning community for children of all ages. We are a fully staffed drop-off center which runs from 9am to 5pm, five days a week.
Ben Draper director
click to see email
(+1) 508-202-9488
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA  01702
United States
Boston

Description

Macomber Center is a community for children of all ages who are growing and learning without conventional schooling. Our members pursue interests in their own way and at their own pace, and are free to explore the world in a way that they find meaningful.

We have no formal curriculum or guidelines for achievement. Instead, we trust that children will thrive (and learn!) when given time and freedom to play and explore within a community of other young people, with support from knowledgable, helpful adults. We are not a school. All of our members are registered as homeschoolers in their respective towns, and our member families represent a wide range of out-of-school approaches to education.

SDE Optimizing Conditions

ASDE surveys all SDE communities/programs about how they provide, enhance, or align with each of the Six Optimizing Conditions for young people to succeed in SDE.  Survey answers:
  1. Responsibility – At the Macomber Center each child is 100% responsible for educating themselves.
  2. Youth Autonomy – At the Macomber Center each child is free to chose how to spend their time 100% of the time they are here.
  3. Access to Tools and Technology – All of our members are given unlimited access to the tools and resources of the Macomber Center.
  4. Adult Allies – We offer help to members when they ask for it and provide a kind, friendly, supportive environment for all. We do not offer any kind of assessments or progress reports of any kind.
  5. Free Age Mixing – Members range in age from five-years-old to nineteen-years-old in a totally age mixed environment.
  6. Community – All members are responsible for maintaining a peaceful and respectful atmosphere and all members are free to participate in our communitie's decision making process.

If any information about this resource is out of date, please let us know.