Our Values

INDEPENDENCE                    

We respect children and trust in their ability to make decisions, to take responsibility for themselves, and to contribute in their own way to the life of our community. Young people thrive when they are free to engage in activities that are meaningful to them, without direction or oversight (but not without support!) from adults.

EXPLORATION

Learning happens all the time, everywhere. Children want to learn, and will do so at an incredible pace when given the time and space to do so. We encourage our members to explore what interests them, to play and discover, and to try new things. We feel strongly that when children explore the world on their own terms, they become increasingly confident in their ability to acquire any new skill or knowledge that they may need, and they carry that confidence with them throughout their lives.

COMMUNITY

Community is as important to us as individual autonomy. We strive to cultivate a warm, supportive environment in which everyone feels welcome and valued. In our mixed-age community, everyone has the opportunity to be both the novice and the expert, and we’re always learning how to be considerate and aware of each other’s varying levels of skill and understanding. Being part of a community can also make it easier (and often more rewarding) to find and pursue new interests; we influence and encourage each other, and each of us has a unique set of skills and knowledge to share.