Albany Free School

The Free School (Albany) is a democratic, non-coercive day school for 60 kids ages two to fourteen founded in 1969 by Mary Leue. The student population is as diverse as the surrounding racially and socioeconomically mixed downtown neighborhood, with approximately half of the kids coming from the inner city, one-fourth from uptown, and the remainder from outlying areas. The school operates with a sliding scale tuition and no one is turned away for financial reasons.

Their educational philosophy is based on the belief that learning is an instinctive act in which children engage joyfully and of their own accord when they are allowed to follow their own rhythms and interests. They also believe that all children possess a unique set of gifts that must be allowed to develop according to each child’s own inner timetable. Therefore there are no compulsory classes, grades or standardized tests. Formal student assessment takes place at mid-year when teachers collaborate on a narrative report about each student’s growth and development followed by an in-depth parent conference.The school is governed democratically through a weekly all-school meeting. Conflicts and other urgent problems are addressed on an ad hoc basis in student-led council meetings that can be called at any time.

The Free School claims to be a community in which emotional, personal and social needs are given as much attention as academic ones, and the essential ingredients of a life well lived are the highest concern of all.

Harriet Tubman Democratic High School

The Harriet Tubman Democratic High School (HTDHS) is the only high school in Albany offering democratic education. HTDHS continues the traditions of The Free School of Albany, founded in 1969 which serves children ages 3-14. We are a democratic, non-coercive learning community built upon principles of autonomy, respect, and personal responsibility. Students of the Harriet Tubman Democratic High School take full responsibility for their own education and for the school community. Harriet Tubman students engage in real world learning in pursuit of the lives they imagine.

In keeping with Harriet Tubman’s remarkable example of courage in the face of oppression, the Harriet Tubman Free School maintains a commitment to resist societal oppression in all of its forms, including racism, sexism, classism, ageism, and environmental destruction.

Harriet Tubman Democratic High School responds to the growing need of teens for independent, community-based learning. We operate the only democratic educational institution for teens in the Capital District. Harriet Tubman Democratic High School offers a full time day school option centered on student-designed projects, community internships, and portfolio building. Homeschooling students and teens that have dropped out of high school may also enroll on a part time basis to take advantage of our mentoring, courses, and standardized test preparation.

* All students are empowered to make decisions about their own learning
* Individualized learning plans and assessment instead of grades
* High priority placed on the social and emotional learning of students
* Small group mentoring
* Internship and community service placement
* Diverse course offerings in line with student interests
* One-on-one tutoring and portfolio building
* Educational field trips and excursions
* College preparation
* Diverse and caring learning community
* Classes available for home schooling teens

Professional Memberships & Affiliations:

Member School:
* Northeast Association of Independent Democratic Schools (NAIDS)
* Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
* International Democratic Education Network (IDEN)

Participating School:
* International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC)

External links

* [http://www.albanyfreeschool.com The Free School's website - www.albanyfreeschool.com]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1677400378441364117 Video of a workshop on the Albany Free School at NCOR 2006]
* [http://www.freeschoolmovie.com a documentary about the Albany Free School - www.freeschoolmovie.com]
* [http://www.tubmanschool.org Harriet Tubman Democratic High School]