Sudbury Valley School

[Paralyt1c]

I really like the idea of this school.

[Rauxlen]

@Norse If they had a way to curb the inherent sloth that fills most of the children of the United States, this would be a wonderful school but everyone I know that went to that school spent all day playing gaia and neopets.

what's more this is for like $7400 dollars a year. it's literally big kid daycare.

What I disliked about my public highschool was the repetitive boring essay work. There were many classes where the teachers made it interesting, but not enough. You'd remember the good ones.

[Norse]

This is actually pretty incredible. Having gone to a semi-private vocational school where more freedom and individuality was allowed compared to other high schools, I can safely say that it did nothing but stunt my growth as a human being. All of the legitimately applicable things that I learned in all my years there can be summed up in probably a page or two, whereas the things I learned through my own interactions and experiences is what mattered. I graduated with a 1.4 GPA.

[Norse]

@Norse And now that I've entered college, an environment very similar to a Sudbury school where I spend my time how I want or better or worse, I'm flourishing and pulling a solid 3.0-3.5. If I had this freedom from the start instead of being pooled into an environment full of suburban trash-children where my individuality was squashed and I was forced to learn state-standardized garbage, I'd probably be way ahead of where I am today. I'm positive I'm not alone here either.

[Norse]

@Norse So yeah, I don't see the reason behind mocking a place like this. Just because some kids inevitably float out of here as losers doesn't mean they would've done well in a "normal" school. All of our future historians and mathematicians will find their own interest in those subjects, the institutions where they were taught are irrelevant. People make themselves, not schools. Schools only exist to show and nurture opportunity, which this place undoubtedly does.

[VIV292]

this would be the hardest school on earth(the kids have too think for themselves haha yep 90%of kids in school have too be told, nothing like personal motivation from a young age> I suppose it would give responsibility back too the student too make choices

[gjc82071]

Warehousing kids for 8 or 9 hours a day, sometimes in un-air conditioned classrooms, depriving them of toilet use, while some of the poorer kids may actually be be hungry/underfed, all these conditions don't make for a very enjoyable education experience & are not conducive to learning. Maybe this isn't a totally perfect educational model/process, but then again, either are our public schools. Our educational world ranking proves at least that much. Something definitely has to change.

[Anonymous247n]

I wonder what jobs people can get after learning how to play games, read poems, sing and play instruments. Kids won't object to this... but there will be no more historians, mathematicians, scientists, technicians... looks like this will have to change a bit, but it may be a step in the right way.

[SpyroEcho]

@Anonymous247n

Actually, that is not true,. Read up on the studies of what beeeecomes of the alumni after they leave....

[Anonymous247n]

@SpyroEcho So they say 80% of their students go and graduate from college. Surprising that they get admitted from a school like that BUT then again, they must be from pretty rich families anyway if they're in this school so it's very likely they get into college too. I'll admit that it's an innovative new idea though so it could work in the future, who knows. At least it doesn't scare children away from learning.

[g2jdmintegra]

I think this is one of the best ideas in education, ever, and would be proud to help advance this model of education in any way I can.

[THRONausFLEISCH]

I’m surprised people are mocking this, especially in terms of something like correct spelling.

Given how few people today display any proper spelling ability, and how many of them went through a regular public school system, I don’t think it can get much worse really.

The most important thing is to encourage a child to learn and experiment, and this is very much inspired by positive and supportive parenting.

I assume that most children attending a school like this, get enough parental attention.

[worldwidebum]

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C-!!!!!!!

[gabikanr]

I would love to enroll my son in this school and I would love to work for this school... <3

[deltasigmafotze]

Hahahahah Enjoy life out of your parents basements

[mikemat3307]

Education... is the most authoritarian and dangerous of all the social inventions of mankind. It is the deepest foundation of the modern slave state, in which most people feel themselves to be nothing but producers, consumers, spectators, and 'fans,' driven more and more, in all parts of their lives, by greed, envy, and fear. My concern is not to improve 'education' but to do away with it, to end the ugly and antihuman business of people-shaping and to allow and help people to shape themselves.

[SilverMusik333]

Yes, yes and yes!

[taypicou]

So, it's OKAY for your kids to go to school and play video games? It's OKAY for your kid to show up in PJ's? SO it's OKAY when they go to work they can play games and wear PJ's? Yeah, in reality, this is bullshit and making kids freaks.

[majinvi74]

@taypicou i like freaks, there not drones of 1000 other people. Their unique and dont follow sill rules like 'dont goo outside wearing pajamas'.

[ion010101]

@taypicou You sound deep.

[Treemeadow]

@taypicou

No. Why do people seem to think that childhood has to be solely dedicated to the process of training children to be adults?

This school is about learning and being KIDS.

Adulthood dawns- and guess what, these kids decide what happens in the future. Maybe they WILL go to work in PJs, and hey- I have friends who earn big bucks Beta-Testing Video games.

You have a problem with PJs? You're a product of a system. These kids are the SOLUTION to the problem.

[SprayOClockNews]

one of the best vids i have seen on here! i sure hope they dont vaccinate!!! i just recently learned that it is pure poison!!! C Doctor Carley at KillerSpray*com on the Vaccines exposed page, and C DRLENHOROWITZ on youtube, and thumbs up to some amazing comments below,

[yoganb7]

If everyone received equal money, including children, we can do this! For real. Equalmo n ey.org

[yoganb7]

Hi I liked this video. One problem is however that technology will not change how our children are taught. Or even us as children. What needs to change is the entire system of everything. Money creates the demand for mind-dumbing schools. I speak frankly. We are also not respecting the basic needs of everyone and of any job. Each job if they were paid the same would allow us to do whatever we want, emulating what is seen in this video, except for "adults."

[yoganb7]

HI, i wanted to make a point that technology does not need to advance so that we as children can attend such schools. In fact nothing will change unless we change it ourselves. Schooling will not change unless we change our current political and economic system. Currently we don't vote for our policies, the leaders who are getting rich for their own sakes would like us to believe we are in control. Please consider supporting a truly equal economic and policy deciding system.

[Miisax04]

is there the same in french please ?

[rjnrf]

wow this is genius. I am actually having a hard time grasping that the students, if you can even call them that, just do what ever they want. I was really starting to doubt if freedom exists but maybe I'm wrong. Does anybody know how students from this school merge into the rest of society after their schooling? Because the way the world works I am questioning if not having classes will be able to get them a job in this world. Thanks :)

[zoogle1]

@rjnrf Well I'm not sure about this school, but there is an even more radical take on this concept called "unschooling" in which the kids never go to school. I've met some unschoolers and seen some videos of them on youtube, and the ones I've seen are completely normal. They all realized they liked some particular thing, and then pursued it and taught themselves in accordance with their interests. The ones I've met are of normal or above average intelligence. I assume this school is no different

[THEGREGDREW]

Wow I really like the idea of this type of school as my experience with public school was that it had no way to cater to individual strengths. All children had the same lesson plan whether it was useful to them or not. I only ever had one history teacher who wasn't a P.E. Coach. Every lesson was just barked at us with no reason as to why these things would be useful for us to learn, and when I asked I was chided for it. Get your kid out of daycare/prison, and help guide their own interests!

[FluroUnderwear]

How I wish there was a school like this in Australia... this is seriously amazing. The way the students are treated with equality and respect, and are given choices and freedom, is just wonderful... why can't all schools be like this, instead of brainwashing, disrespectful prisons? :\

[TKDshadow7]

I want to work here :)

[AnonymousCthulhu]

AWWWWWWWWWWW YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[mwells219]

So, what are you kids learning that will make anyone want to hire you and pay you money? No one will pay you to play bridge and run around in your pajama bottoms.

[AnonymousCthulhu]

@mwells219 You completely miss the point of this school. As a kid, your focus should not be on learning numerous dismal skills that might come in use in the job market if you take certain jobs. Your focus should be on being a kid, growing, and developing interests, which translate later in life to tailoring your more advanced and focused education to those interests, perhaps in college, preparing you for the job market *when it's relevant*.

[mwells219]

@AnonymousCthulhu you used a lot of words to not actually answer my question. hope mommy and daddies' money doesn't run out on any of these kids otherwise they're going to be begging for change on the streets.

[AnonymousCthulhu]

@mwells219 No, I answered your concern, and it wasn't to your liking. Deal with it.

[RielaMarcellis]

I fucking love the the sarcasm in the highest rated comments

[Klangspiel]

Danke Leo - thank you a lot !!!

[polyopulis]

5:30, totally not a playstation controller and totally not final fantasy music

[Juno410]

I love this idea! I hope every future school is like this!

[Cagedand3nRaged]

This is awesome! Don't let the government get a hold of this idea though, or the students will be getting subliminal messaging in the radio music and chlorpromazine, maybe even lithium in the food! Lol! I kid!

This is awesome. I really liked that one part of the guy who learned to read from text based games, explaining his story while other kids play FF7 in the background! That's awesome. I accredit that game for my vocabulary today.

[whateverg1012]

I go too ths schoool, I learnt alot likee spulleng and plaing cardz noow I sennt applicattion to harvird andd i am wating for mye ecceptance lettar.

[phillipgaley]

@whateverg1012 Uh, hu, and, where did you not learn to not prevaricate?

[MP7A3]

@whateverg1012 LQL

[JohnColt]

Love the disciplinary method - wonderful!

[wowgoodtry]

I would just like to correct the "LastDaisy" comment, so i go to this school too. I have for many years now, many, many more years then "LastDaisy" I know who she is, i know who she's talking about. And from what i've heard and seen this 'Friend' was completely in the wrong, they were harassing and threatening another student, on facebook... They also got what was coming, and deserved it. So sorry about my little 'Rant' but your horribly WRONG.

[LastDaisy]

@wowgoodtry Excuse me? Threating someone on Facebook? I have no idea who you are and I can A SURE you Ive never THREATENED anyone on Facebook. I have no need to. I almost got kicked out for what they called cyber bulling... No idea why they called what I did cyber bulling. I said something on chat to my friend and the person saw the comment and wrote a complaint about it. It was seriously harmless. I wont say what I said. But I can tell you is was not anything threating. Nor violent.

[LastDaisy]

@wowgoodtry Hahahahahaahahaha wait wait wait... If your talking about My friend writing something on Facebook, the lice comment. He truly was NOT attacking ANYONE. I don't like what he said either, but he seriously was not writing it to any individual. Other then this, I have no clue what your talking about.

[ericsjohns]

"In my old schools, for whatever reason, the majority of my friends weren't actually friends."

Well goddamn man, maybe its because you wear superman pajamas to high school.

[igotyourback]

"The best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." -Harry S. Truman

We could all benefit by being given more freedom. Part of the reason why we have so many problems in this world is because people are controlled too much as children.

If you've got nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself.

[LastDaisy]

I go to this school. It was great. I hate it now. The staff nowmonitor your facebook's and outside life. They treat you like shit. You cant speak your opinion anymore, and if you do.. and they dont like it they find a way to " bring you up " for it. My friend almost got brought up for something he wrote on facebook, that didnt involve anyone from the school or anything. Its shit.

[youteacher78]

@LastDaisy , Seems to me you are not using your power to change the situation, and choose the easy way of complaining. Bring it up in a meeting, bring it up in JC, don't vote for the staff that harass you. Or be welcome to burst my bubble and open my eyes for the obvious truth I 've been denying. How could this happen? Greetings from Europe.

[876234ABC]

@LastDaisy I see they don't teach punctuation or grammar at that school, either.

[Treemeadow]

@876234ABC

They do.

I notice that most public scholars are no better with grammar. This method works very well for driven induviduals who are more inclined to an auto-didactic learning style.

Its rotten for kids who want everything done for them, like most public schoolers.

[LastDaisy]

@876234ABC Your funny.

[876234ABC]

@LastDaisy Ha ha! If your succinct comment, bad grammar and all, was deliberate, why, so are you!

[paranoidandroid223]

"Its the hardest school to be in"

"Kids aren't happy here all day"

I think this is just an excuse for lazy people. The kids who go to that school or have been there know it. Its obvious from the fact that they have to defend it so rigorously. You kids have fun playing all day, i'm sure getting some responsibility as an adult won't shock you at all

[ParrhesiaJoe]

@paranoidandroid223 I understand this sentiment. To accept that this model produces superior results is to accept that your childhood was in some ways wasted.

It's a hard truth, and it took me seven years and three trips to Sudbury schools to unbury my head. My first response was... "It CAN NOT be true." and "it's a glorified daycare" and "lazy" and whatever else.

[izzybella2015]

@paranoidandroid223 I see where you're coming from, it's easy to think that, but as someone who spends almost all my time at SVS, I couldn't agree less. It's true we do have fun, but it's very hard to even exist at SVS without learning something. Even when we just talk, we're improving on valuable social skills that will be important in becoming effective adults. In response to "Kids aren't happy here all day", it's true. I've had some of my worst days at SVS. But there's no doubt I'm learning.

[Tilferious]

This encourages geniuses and genius-level thought. Geniuses and prodigies aren't smart, they are very passionate at what they do. That's why when you have an interest in something, you do it better than someone who has no interest. It's active vs passive study.The interested will actively study a subject, the uninterested will passively study it. Giving children a choice in what they want to study is a good idea. As I said, programs like these will bring out the 'genius' in children.

[Mokimami]

I want to go here... D:

[MemShippou]

I love how these sudbury kids probably have spent their at this school pouting and thumbs downing every comment they see that critisizes their glorified daycare service.

[ParrhesiaJoe]

@MemShippou Public school is the glorified daycare service. It is very hard to accept that a bunch of kids with no curriculum score higher on the SAT without a single course on how to take the SAT.

If you don't understand it, dismiss it. Be a pawn.

[CertainAsTheSun]

@MemShippou, I've been to traditional school and have never been to a school like this, but according to those that work there, they have a lot of activities to choose from but the kids usually choose to do what's hardest instead of what they like best. Think about it. After a week of being there, you're going to get bored and will want to be productive.

[ParrhesiaJoe]

This is the future. A simple, elegant solution. It fits with everything I understand about myself, children and society.

I have sat in at Clearwater (A sudbury school in Seattle), and I am SO OPTIMISTIC. Fight for this, if you care about education and children.

No more wasted childhood, no more indoctrination. Beautiful.

Do NOT try to come up with a BETTER solution than this. Get involved. The current system wastes the lives of innocent children.

[corndogers564]

I have to agree! This simple solution looks like the natural way children "should" be educated.

[ParrhesiaJoe]

It may be that the idea that you can "educate" a child is just plain broken.

We underestimate children. I am going to Clearwater to discuss the trial of Socrates.

Discussing philosophy with an interested twelve year old is one of life's treasures that many will miss. I never knew it was even there to experience.

What a treat.

This is cheap to start and effective. You could create one yourself... if you are reading this, think about it. You could start one of these... anywhere.

[akirosette]

@ParrhesiaJoe

Socrates was a faggot who thought the whole universe was divided into Greeks and barbarians.

[ParrhesiaJoe]

@akirosette Socrates is NOTHING like Plato or Aristotle, both of which were in some ways like you describe.

Socrates was a homeless man that questioned everything about Athens. He was very critical of the Athenean system of "justice" and the status quo. In the end, he died because he didn't put Greeks on a pedestal. Your comment is wrong, wrong, wrong, and incorrect.

[mn4real]

This is the BEST school ever! Who needs algebra?!?!?! We learn what we need to and learn more efficiently what we are interested in.

[BreakingTheBanality]

When I first heard the main teacher say the children claim the school to be the hardest, I thought he was crazy. But now thinking through my public education I found it easier to just blend in with the rules and the mass herd of people, it was a way of not having to be on my own and have myself responsible if I failed. And I was a hardcore individualist coming into public schools but by grade 8 I was completely broken down, any willpower I had to stand on my own was ground into dust

[izzybella2015]

It really is the hardest. But Danny's not the 'main teacher' or any teacher at all. He's a staff member and Official Authorities Clerk, but he's not the boss of anything or anyone anymore than anyone else

[hrmpk26]

6:00 FF7

[interstitialofficial]

It's just plain ole brain washing; and it takes time to unlearn it, especially on an emotional level.

[interstitialofficial]

The question that needs to be asked is simple. Is coercion necessary? Growing up in school has created this deep feeling that growth and learning don't happen without school. The true believer shakes their head, "wuuuut!? Don't go to school!!? But you won't learn to read and you won't get a job!!!!" From our point of view, that's pretty ignorant and primitive, and I remind myself that even after I had intellectually figured out that school is bunk, I still had that nagging feeling of being wrong

[ParrhesiaJoe]

Act.

[Patricka0a01]

This is the future of education.

[hockeydangler9]

Now i'm not saying all these kids are lazy, again as i said i like the idea of freedom of what to learn and do etc. But no matter where you go you will find lazy people. If a school like this enforces doing what you want and not having to a follow a curriculum those lazy kids will just sit and waste there time, and it will give them bad habits for when they're older, bad work habits = fail at job.

[Xavenous]

@hockeydangler9 I go to a school like this one and I love it, but it really DOES NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE. In most cases where a lazy person continues to be lazy, it comes to bite them in the ass sooner or later, and they will deal with the consequences. It is a hard lesson, but (IMO) it is the best way to learn. However, there are some people who are content with being lazy, mooch off their parents their entire life, etc.

[hockeydangler9]

Half those kids just sit and do sht all, day long. I like the idea of learning what you want and at your pace but seriusly half of them aren't even working or doing anything that will benefit you if your going for a career. "As long as your doing something in the rules" they say. But if you look at the stuff some of the kids in this vid are doing i bet half of them can't even read at a grade 1 level, or they probably don't even no basic math. Hmmm, goodluck finding a decent career.

[izzybella2015]

Trust me, we do a LOT at school. The video deosn't show the half of it. For example, at the beginng of the year we made a twenty-minute movie. That's not 'sht' and it took a lot of work. Kids are reading all the time. When it comes to math, I'd say the four years old are better than lots of seven year olds in regular school from dealing with their own money a lot. We may not be taking classes but that doesn't mean we're not learning

[moonbirdmedatation]

@izzybella2015 I like the idea of the freedom...i'm sure a lot gets done....I just want to know who cleans up the messes? I want to do something like this for my children at home. But the messes get overwhelming to me.:)

[jcobd]

I'd say that is more of a teacher problem than an "educational approach" problem

[sticknmove97]

This looks absolutely amazing! If i ever have kid(s) thats where they're going.

[IAMQUIGLEY]

concidering one of your favorite videos is left 4 dead 2 glitch tutorial i wouldnt talk

[IAMQUIGLEY]

english from videogame manuals is kinda bullshit, and theres probably kids here who do "fuck around all day" but theres slackers in all schools. dont be a bitch and get off youtube like its your fucking job ight you punk bitch. and dont say why am i on youtube. its cus my buddy garret is 17 and goes here and i googled the school. twat.

[IAMQUIGLEY]

the fact is your probably no older than 16. most likely 11 - 14. and you dont know shit. your probably jelous that you cant go out and learn what you want. yes learning

[raindragonfruit]

I just enrolled into this school, and I must say, it is an amazing improvement from my public school. My old school was a torture to me, and I could not stand going. I would force myself to throw up just to get out of going, it's was the most painful experience. Now that I go to SVS, life has seemed to look up for me. This school system has actually allowed me to learn more then I previously have-I now can read college level psychology books.

[anonymousppl]

Enjoy your fail and AIDS. Anyone can read college level psychology books as long as they are literate. I'm sorry but that isn't proof of any outstanding academic or intellectual talent.

And of course, no kid likes schooling because it can be tedious. But going to school to fuck around all day? You can't be serious.

I'm willing to bet that these childrens' ACT and SAT scores are much lower than the national average.

[raindragonfruit]

Please, inform me how I would get AIDS from going to this school? We don't 'fuck around all day'. We do what we feel like we should be learning, that's what. Is that so wrong? And your also wrong about that-Kids from this school have gone and went to great colleges. It all depends on what kind of person you are. You get what you want out of this school, and most people go farther with the things they want to learn. You want to learn things you don't need? Fine. Then don't annoy me about it.

[anonymousppl]

There is a reason why alcohol is not to be consumed until 21, tobacco by 18, or not to drive until 16 (depending on state). Kids are fucking retarded. They don't know whats good for them. To give them life altering decisions so early on is a tragedy.

They don't understand how fundamental basic math and algebra is and how it builds up to Calculus. I'm willing to bet that there are no engineers or mathematicians among your college attendants. This school is a tragedy.

[interstitialofficial]

You're such a hardass!!!!!!

[izzybella2015]

When I went to public school, I got it. It was waaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too easy. I'm 13, honestly. You should read some books on the school. Once again, do you even watch the videos???

You're probably a kid yourself.

And if you're not a kid, you're pathetic. Is this all you do all day?

[CertainAsTheSun]

@anonymousppl, I've been to traditional school all my life. Did you know the US has the highest drinking age out of all the other countries? Did you ever notice that people in the US go nuts drinking in their 20s while people it Italy, where the drinking age is 0, simply choose not to make drunken asses of themselves on the streets like US college students do?

[izzybella2015]

@anonymousppl You know kids are just young people, right? They're not another species. It's only a tragedy if they can't handle the responsibility, but, judging by the 43 years of the school and the success of alumni, they can. In response to your college attendants claim, alumni have gone on to a huge variety of career paths, some of which I'm sure include mathematics and sciences. If you really must know the details, there are plenty of books available through the Sudbury Valley Press.

[izzybella2015]

@anonymousppl AIDS? Really? Are you serious? I go here, and am 13. I totally agree with Kelsi (raindragonfruit.) We do not "fuck around all day." If we're interested a subject, we'll pursue it. It's a lot easier to become a musician, per se, if you study music all day and don't bother yourself with more multiplication than you need to. Did you even stick around to watch the video, or just post ultracrepidarian comments and leave?

[anonymousppl]

You are a 13 year old. You don't know shit about the world. And hey, I have an online thesaurus too. I sincerely hope that you know how to do your multiplication tables, as a 13 year old should already be far ahead of that.

You see those kids playing Final Fantasy? And they have to nerve to say that it teaches them English? That's total bullshit. People don't play videogames to learn; they play to have fun and waste time. I'd love to sit on my ass all day and play videogames.

[IAMQUIGLEY]

hey anonymousppl stop fucking tooling on these kids. look, everyone knows that this style of learning is not, say, taboo. but these kids learn at there own pace in different ways. I go to a normal school. actually a college preparatory all boys catholic school and school can be a bitch. there is shit your not gunna need to know for the rest of your life. do i REALLY need to know BIO-CHEMISTRY or Pre-Calculus. That fact is you run your fuckin mouth a lot tough guy.

[Treemeadow]

I wish wish wish we had schools like this in Australia, but I have no idea how to get one started. The only one that existed, I believe, has lost accreditation.

[876234ABC]

@Treemeadow I wonder why the school lost accreditation--perhaps because the children weren't learning anything?

[Treemeadow]

@876234ABC

No, the Australian QLD state government is notorious for having a horrible education system.

I moved between states and had to skip 2 years of school, just so I could be at the level I would have been moving up to in NSW

[kozychik]

@Treemeadow That's terrible! I'm quite shocked and very sorry to hear that the one Sudbury school in Australia has lost its accreditation. There are several books on this school system one of which includes advice for starting one of your own. People need to know an alternative exists before they can start fighting for it. Maybe you can give one of these books to any parents or teachers who might be interested to generate interest and desire for change. It's only a matter of time.

[teaflower565]

When I have kids they're going here.

[Cavarre]

how pointless

[kozychik]

@Cavarre What? Your comment?

[tracebooks]

If there were one of these in my area, I'd put my kids in it in a heartbeat.

[yvelleyzelle]

Wish school could be a choice for people.

[bobmurphyrocks]

I went to this school. 3 of my friends who graduated the same year as i did are in college for masters degrees 2 of them are going for double masters. I own my own company any person who thinks SVS is a joke can bite my successful ass. On a side note i am going to be in a movie produced byt the kid who had the superman shirt on tomorrow. he graduated this past year.

[876234ABC]

@bobmurphyrocks I don't believe your anecdote is representative of the majority attending this so-called school. I think this is a seven thousand dollar a year daycare facility, and I doubt many of those children could spell "Do you want fries with that?" never mind make the proper change. Good thing those fast food places have pictures on the registers!

Scarf-making and card playing? Those poor children.

[gunnyification]

@876234ABC excuse me, but i'm a child, i go to this school, i am learning things all day, so please stop insulting me and my friends, what you have written down for this video was completely uncalled for. if you don't like this school than please keep your comments to yourself, and move on to a different video, there isn't any need to insult people, say they don't know how to spell, or do math. just because we have fun at school doesn't mean we are stupid.

[876234ABC]

@gunnyification Your answer speaks volumes--and not in a good way, either. Your punctuation sucks, and the sentiment that comments that make you unhappy should be stifled is a bit authoritarian, to say the least. So much for "free expression!" I wager the irony of that is lost on you, though, because you're terribly defensive about your high priced clubhouse, that much is clear.

I do feel sorry for these children.

[gunnyification]

@876234ABC right. it seems no matter what i say, you are going to find a way to call me stupid. oh well. i don't even know you, i refuse to get into an online fight with you. but can i just say that you spoke your mind, and i spoke mine. and in my mind, you were (and still are) being insulting for no reason.

[876234ABC]

@gunnyification I'm not "calling" you anything--you're doing it all by yourself. I'm not "insulting" you either when I point out that you cannot express yourself clearly. That's just plain, sad fact. FWIW, adults call this "discussion." When people discuss a topic, they often do not agree. "Fighting"--on the internet or otherwise--is what children do. You might want to work on a more mature approach to people who disagree with your rather limited world-view.

[whateverg1012]

btw they are playing ffx

[Jabez525]

@whateverg1012 it was ff7

[Cavellort]

@bobmurphyrocks its a gay porno

your staring in right?

[draeybanez]

@bobmurphyrocks Thanks for sending in this comment. I'm making a thesis on graduates of 'creative' schools and how they perform in life especially at the workplace.

[lianania]

If the kids love it, why not offer to them this choice? After all your students see students from conventional schools and can compare. Your critics believe that they have THE solution to your students' future which in fact belongs to the students, not your critics. You give your critics this power and they will want more - and will tell your students hwat to wear, and how much to eat and exercise. But one look at your critics will betray a picture far from the ideal they believe that fight for.

[lianania]

Fear is exactly what the conventional teaching model fosters, hence fear is the anonymousppl feels. Sudbury - I am an educator (PhD) who kind of lost faith and you brought it back. And CONGRATULATIONS for refusing to be talked into change by those who under "negotiated" syllabus hide not negotiated agendas and egos. WONDERFUL

[anonymousppl]

Yeah, letolostoy, keep on removing all dissenting opinions. Keep these kids in their bubble, only to be ruptured abruptly and absolutely by reality. Childhood needs to be left behind; it is something we all share as an experience, but must be left behind by all as well.

This system is only preserving the dream, while the rest of us have already departed for consciousness.

I fear for these adolescents.

[10jedyny]

what is wrong with you, didn't you hated school? if not that is a bad sign. Poeple shoul be allow to choose what they want? is that such a huge concept to grasp? Do you feel comfortable when you must do something which you do not like? I know kids do stupid things sometimes, but if you try to protect them every second you just are killing them and not allowing to take their lesson. Watche other youtube vids of how succesfull and smart some of these kids are. Peace

[anonymousppl]

10jed, you are the quintessence of this failed system. I have no idea what in gods name you are trying to communicate, in addition to the fact that your awful grammar obfuscates whatever drivel you are trying to articulate.

Ultimately, what the individual wants is not necessarily beneficial to society. I could sit on my bum all day playing video games (learning how to read, lol). But do you think doctors do? Do they get their MDs from slacking off all day? Of course not. Discipline is needed.

[10jedyny]

I would rather want the doctor to question the whole system and notice it's not working. It was put the same way as school system, because of greed of bankers etc. Only passionate doctors can know anything, like Dr Richard Schulze. Normal pracitioners still telling they can't cure cancer. Sorry for mistakes, but its easy to point mistakes rather than answer specific points i've said. How come i'm the quintessence of this system if i didn't went to this school? I'm thousands of km away.

[kozychik]

@10jedyny 3 bowel movements a day / 2 minutes a pop. Thank you Dr. Schulze!

[10jedyny]

Read 3rd law of Newton if you didnt understand my point about forcing. 'What the individual wants is not necessarily beneficial to society' . This proves you're already cought. Everybody has in their heart what they should do, if you didn't dig that out, you are and will be just a robot repeating what others are telling you, and living as they want you to. Sudbury is not ideal and i would make some changes, but the core must stay the same. I again recommend watching other videos. Peace

[anonymousppl]

I'll save me some time. Learn to spell. At least us 'robots' can speak standard English correctly.

And what does Newton's 3rd law have to do with anything you've mentioned? Honestly, I'm baffled. Baffled by how asinine your reasoning is. 'Only passionate doctors can know anything'? 'This proves you are already caught'?

Your ramblings are nothing but train wrecks of non sequitur.

[lianania]

anonymousppl, you are so entangled in the mainstream logic that life is going past you and you dont even know that you are pretty much ALONE in that mainstream logic. While others tell YOU what to be (to cover their bums), they are running to alternative sources to inform their lives and health; not to your MDs. I dont seek to change your mind because I know life will do this to you. Cheers

[Treemeadow]

You fear for them, why don't you go and look at the adults who have graduated from this school since the 70s?

They have all gone on to be succesful in their pursuits.

[anonymousppl]

Last time I checked, 'consciousness' was a subjective term. Define how you use the term conscious and how can you objectively prove that these kids are more 'conscious' than the many millions of others who don't attend Sudbury.

Explain how they can be more conscious of the everything?

[izzybella2015]

It was a response to another comment. I meant SVS-ers seem to be more aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and what their goals are. Basically, kids become responsible, have good time-management, etc. When you're an adult, noone is standing over you, telling you what to do. Sudbury Valley prepares you for life.

Wow, that's a mouthful. But it's true. Ask any alumni or parent.

[jgb1128]

My son just finished what would have been his 9th grade at this school. He hopped out of bed every day and couldn't wait to go. He is now very sad that summer has hit.

[Choonties21]

Wow watching this reminds me of the movie Accepted. They choose what they want to learn instead being "force fed".....why didn't I go here ;(

[Soundboy6]

I would have really loved to have gone to a school like this.

[SpamMusubi1226]

My son attended The Beach School, also based on SVS. One of his school-mates eventually left, saying it was "too hard". It's not an easy school, but if you're the right fit, it's amazing how much you learn!

[Izarack]

-laugh-

I go to this school.

It's just so weird, seeing it from a different point of view...Pfft Nick. Video games don't help you learn how to read xD

[davidjuliowang]

I truly do believe that "force feeding" students information is not learning, it is "jumping through hoops" to give the illusion of education.

That said, when I watch this video I am struck by how...relatively indifferent and lost the children seem.

...I do not like to critique this approach. I believe it is the right one...

but watching this video prompts me to believe that,

"Powerful Freedom

Requires Powerful Purpose."

How? IDK...

We have to keep trying new approaches though.

[eirinorum]

Watch it again, and notice if the children appear lost and indifferent while interacting amongst themselves, or just when asked strange questions by an outsider...

[Xavenous]

@davidjuliowang A lot of children are lost and indifferent at this school, but I believe that is an essential part of growing up and learning who you are and what it is that you want to do with your life.

[antipyrene]

I knew a bunch of Sudbury valley student about 20 years ago...90% of them were chemically imbalanced drug addicts

[pepo928]

There are fewer than 200 students at this school, yet, the people who made this film somehow missed all the drug addicts. Odd.

[DeborahDonndelinger]

A nice intro. to the Sudbury approach ... although I got irritated by question to the video gamers, "how does this help you learn" ...

I think the book Everything Bad is Good for You by S. Johnson should be mandatory reading for all adults!

[interstitialofficial]

Yeah, it's such a nonsensical question. But, they grew up in school. They don't know a nonsensical question when they hear it. They just assume that the words they're stringing together in a sentence sound like something someone who knows what they're talking about would say.

[lchavasse]

BRAVO! I think this is a pretty good clip. Great to have Danny on camera along with well-shot footage from a balanced perspective.

[youare901]

So can any of these kids tell me anything about the Magna Carta or lets say the American Revolution? This is crazy! So I could come in at noon and leave at 5, what is this a job at the Mass state house! What about the kid playing video games all day, thats not fucking school, that what my looser friends with no job do all day. What the fuck ever as long as they dont involve me do what the hell you want.

[wmoquin]

I did very well in a public school and have been extensively unemployed. I am sure I would have been better off playing video games and socializing.

[ErnieBallPlayer23]

so you like someone in control of you? baby sitting you in a classroom?, in the real world where people step in they have to make decisions, and the students are learning at there own pace like they should be! don't criticise before you even really know the school!! & from what i see you are an arrogant idiot, get off what ever your smokin' kid. since every student here is overall better then you.

[pepo928]

youare901, before you criticize alternative schools, you might want to examine the efficacy of your own traditional education. Your primitive post is littered with grammatical and syntactical errors. The kids in this documentary seem able to express their thoughts more coherently than you have in your muddled rant. I'm sure your extensive knowledge of the Magna Carta and the American Revolution will serve you well. By the way, loser is spelled l-o-s-e-r.

[mbzoltan]

There are plenty of public-schooled and private-schooled students who graduate, head off to college, and know nothing about the Magna Carta and the American Revolution. I should know--I am a college History professor, and I see it every day.

Your final sentence in your comment completely contradicts your rant.