Phoenix
Rising Free School
http://www.phoenixrisingschool.org/index.html
Phoenix
Rising Free School is an independent, freedom-based learning community
serving all ages, opening in the fall of 2010.
Phoenix
Rising Free School is an independent, not-for-profit school designed
to provide democratic, freedom-based learning in Arizona. We are
educators, parents, and students seeking a student-empowered,
non-coercive learning community.
A Phoenix
Rising school values the student's volition in the learning process.
Teaching is restored to its place as a daring and relational art.
While our school may contain optional classes and programs with
specific learning and participation requirements, demonstration
of learning is never a condition for school membership. A school
with freedom at its base fosters the student’s sense of responsibility
for her choices, and a sense of intrinsic reward for her interests.
This freedom also promotes the teacher’s identity as a learning
ally, as a resource rather than an enforcer.
Students, along with
staff, govern themselves through a democratic rule-making and
judicial system, and they vote on decisions that affect their
educational experience and life at the center. Parents also have
a voice in the school meetings, and are welcome to participate
on campus throughout the day. They may come and go, and stay to
play with their children, study with their children, and join
activities.
Phoenix Rising interacts with the greater community by inviting
community participation at our site and by exploring the community
beyond. We seek opportunities to observe and do things in the
community, in all areas including industry, government, nature,
academia, and the arts. We organize traveling opportunities, and
we adventure in Internet exploration and social connectivity.
We facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and academic mentorships
with community experts.
As an authentic learning
community, diverse beliefs can find expression, as students, parents,
and staff are free to study and discuss their values, worldview,
political perspective, or religion. We are a free market of ideas
and opinions.
