Traditions

Well, first of all, it miraculously not only starts on the first day of our fiftieth year of existence, but keeps going through two full years. After all, 1968 is when we opened our doors, so many of us feel . . . might as well make it two… Read more ›

The last days of the fiftieth birthday year of Sudbury Valley were days of fun, of laughter, and also of tears. The fun part was greeting the 35 students returning from a five day camping trip to Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod. Despite having to… Read more ›

Every year, a large group of kids from Sudbury Valley decamp (literally) on the next to last week of school to Nickerson State Park, in Brewster, on Cape Cod. While writing this I was waiting (as was everyone else who didn’t go) for them to… Read more ›

I was speaking with a prospective family at an Open House a few months ago and telling them about the democratic process at Sudbury Valley and how students are respected, empowered, and internally motivated. The dad interjected, "Well, I think it’s… Read more ›

It’s already the first week of July and it is only now that I finally am rested enough to have a modicum of perspective about the hectic crazy busy last month of school. The annual five day camping trip to Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod requires a… Read more ›

For many years now a Halloween dance has taken place in the barn. Wearing a costume is optional but most people come wearing something funky, beautiful or amusing. The dances are totally organized by students, while staff serve as chaperones who are… Read more ›

When talking about the school, we all find others confused about what we believe, and about what we do. As with most confusion, much of the confusion can be reduced to language. People casually use certain terms loosely and interchangeably as a… Read more ›

There aren’t any grades at Sudbury Valley School. No standardized tests. No portfolio reviews. No regular assessments. But that doesn’t mean that the kids haven’t devised their own ways to “measure their progress.” One of these ways is by mastering… Read more ›

   Last year Fall arrived on our campus with almost shocking force, with the trees, in particular, drawing attention to themselves. Though it was exhilarating to drive to school through showers of red and gold, it was also a bit sad,… Read more ›

Each year, the approach of December fills me with both eager anticipation and . . . dread. It is hard to make it through the Thanksgiving break without worrying about the coming month. Then December comes, and dough in quantities large enough to… Read more ›

From the point of view of a brand new student, the school is an astonishing (if sometimes overwhelming) place. The freedom to manage one’s own time is generally the first aspect of the school noticed, and it is what attracts a new student first. The… Read more ›

I often ask myself why I am so enamored of the December ritual of making gingerbread houses (and trees) at Sudbury Valley. It is a big deal! Everyone has to put a lot of work into it. Not everyone in the school, but a much wider cross-section than… Read more ›