Updated 2018-09-25

Raritan Learning Cooperative

A community of teenagers engaging in Self-Directed Education instead of attending conventional schools, to create a life and education based on their interests, strengths and goals.
MaryBeth Healy, Scott Gallagher, Joel Hammon co-founders & facilitators
Co-ops & Resource Centers
http://raritanlearningcooperative.org
click to see email
(+1) 908-938-1464
168 Main St
Flemington, NJ  08822
United States
Princeton, Allentown, Philadelphia, New York (NYC)

Description

The Learning Cooperatives were created in 2010 by two former teachers. Our first center was the Princeton Learning Cooperative, followed by the Bucks Learning Cooperative in 2013 and Raritan Learning Cooperative in 2017. We are members of the Liberated Learners network of Self-Directed Education centers.

Our mission is to support young people currently in school to take charge of their own lives and education by legally becoming homeschoolers and then engaging in Self-Directed Education. We also work with a number of long-time homeschoolers who want to have the same flexibility that independent homeschooling offers, but to have more resources readily available in one location.

We’re open 4 days a week from 8:45-3:15 and run on a traditional academic calendar between September and June. We offer mentoring, classes, tutoring, help finding work and volunteer opportunities, help with college admissions and a safe and welcoming community for teens.

See also:
The Learning Cooperatives

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 – All activities, classes, trips, tutoring and resources at Rariton Learning Cooperative are offered on a strictly voluntary basis and our teen members choose the opportunities that are most in line with their goals and interests.
  2. Youth Autonomy – Our teen members are free to come and go from the centers throughout the day. There are no attendance requirements or externally imposed expectations about how teens spend their time at the center.
  3. Access to Tools and Technology – Rariton Learning Cooperative has a variety of resources and equipment that young people can use. We have no rules restricting their use of tools or technology apart from obvious safety concerns.
  4. Adult Allies – Every young person has a staff mentor that they meet with individually each week whose role is to mentor, offer suggestions, help locate resources and offer caring feedback.
  5. Free Age Mixing – We work with young people ages 12-19. Inside of that structure, there are no distinctions or groupings. A class or activity might include a handful of young people of all ages.
  6. Community – While everyone is free to pursue their own interests and path, this is done inside of a caring and welcoming community. We meet as a group once a week to plan, reflect, and make decisions that affect the entire community.

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