The Open School – Virtual Program
Description
A community for you to become yourself.
In our virtual community, students are accepted for who they are and are empowered to take charge of their education and their school.
At The Open School – Virtual Program, we believe the real goal of education is for young people to know who they are, what matters to them, and how to take charge of their own lives. That means learning to make decisions, reflect on mistakes, and follow through on what they care about — not just doing what they’re told. This comes naturally from belonging to a community that trusts young people to lead their own learning.
This belief shapes everything we do, and it’s reflected in the core values of the Sudbury model — a model that has been around for over half a century, with all that history to support us.
The Open School – Virtual Program is taking Sudbury education into the 21st century, with the only online program that provides access to a Sudbury model school from anywhere in the world.
SDE Optimizing Conditions
- Responsibility – Students at The Open School are responsible for their own education. Staff rarely initiate activities, instead, they are there to answer questions and help students with their self-chosen activities.
- Youth Autonomy – Students at The Open School are free to do whatever they want with their time. They can join the online community on a schedule that works for them. Staff do not interfere unless asked to, or unless there's danger.
- Access to Tools and Technology – Students at The Open School virtual program work from their homes and are free to use personal resources, equipment, and technology. We do not limit or filter their access to online materials or tools.
- Adult Allies – Staff at The Open School do not evaluate students unless asked by the student. Staff are there to help students with their self-chosen activities, and leave students to evaluate whether they have accomplished their own goals.
- Free Age Mixing – Students of all ages (5 to 18), as well as adult staff, intermingle freely in the virtual community.
- Community – Students and staff are all School Meeting members, which means they are all equals in the eyes of the law (rules). Everyone gets one vote at School Meeting, and anyone can be elected to any office or committee.
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