Field Notes: Trust and Time
While we can understand much of the lapidary process both of tumbling glass (or rocks) and of watching students grow and develop, some of both remains a mystery, ultimately reliant upon trust and time.
Unencumbered Learning – A Parent Perspective
“What struck me was that this student was comfortable in her not-knowing. She didn’t feel compelled to justify her answer, to apologize for what she didn’t know, or any number of other possible responses. Her knowing felt both true and unencumbered. As a person who went through traditional schooling, I am very aware of how my learning is anything but unencumbered.”
D&D at Fairhaven School:
Wired for Play and Story
Simply put, we as humans are wired to learn through play and story, two things role playing games merge perfectly together. It helps us make sense of the world and prepare for what’s next. D&D, of course, is not the only role playing game. At Fairhaven School, we see children of all ages play various role playing games throughout the day.
Self-Directed Learning Leads To Student-Directed Play
Last month, Fairhaven School’s Theatre Corp produced “A Simpler Time.” A smashing success, the play ran for two nights and ended up turning a profit. For most of our twenty-two years, the student-run, democratic Theatre Corp has been staging plays, and these are wonderful examples of how the school works. We caught up with director Sam Duffy. At fourteen, he’s younger than most of his cast.
Dungeons & Dragons at Fairhaven School: An Introduction
A few weeks ago I was in the Old Building cleaning up from room to room at the end of a long school day. As is typical, the building was mostly empty with a couple students needing to be reminded
5 Best Toys: Less is More
In this older, yet timeless, article from Wired, they list the 5 best toys of all time. Take a look at all the amazing creativity that happens here daily using the 5 best toys. Luckily, all of it is plentiful
A Process of Conversion
We regret to share news of the passing of Gene Gary-Williams, grandmother of two Fairhaven School alumni and a great advocate for this school and Sudbury schooling over the years. We mourn her loss, and we celebrate her today by revisiting her blog post from 2009.
Giving Tuesday – FHS Tuition Assistance Program
Please consider donating to Fairhaven School this Giving Tuesday! Every contribution helps lessen the burden for Fairhaven families who are providing their children a unique and empowering education. You can assist us in meeting the goal that cost will never prevent families from enrolling their children in Fairhaven School! Thank you in advance, from the entire Fairhaven community.
Field Notes: All This Hanging Out
Note that word, Aristotle’s “society.” On a macro level, the design of this school is to create an independent, interesting world with coequal freedom and responsibility, a society, if you will, with the explicit recognition that being social here is the best preparation for success in the larger society. Doing things together, then—social activities—may just represent the most important activity here.
Friends and Freedom: What New Students Have to Say
As we begin the 2019-2020 school year, we have continued last year’s remarkable pace of enrolling new students! We talked to several of them to collect their thoughts on joining Fairhaven School. As you can see from the following quotes from our newest members, if you are considering enrolling your child, you can expect them to soon enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Welcome Back to Fairhaven School!
Many interviews with prospective families begin with questions and answers about the bread and butter of traditional schools: classes, tests, homework. Soon, however the conversation shifts to learning, and we inevitably discuss the vital and creative human process known as play, probably the most common activity at Fairhaven School.
Fairhaven School and Unschooling
More and more families who contact Fairhaven tell us that they are “unschooling” their children, and the growth of curriculum-free homeschoolers seems to be increasing. Although we try to clarify the difference between the two approaches in interviews and conversations with prospective families, it’s a complex topic, especially since each family who adopts this style of homeschooling necessarily creates a distinct experience for their children.