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FAQs: Questions About The Living School How
can my child learn if there's no externally directed curriculum? How can my child learn if there's no externally directed curriculum? Children can move at a pace that suits them to master their pursuits. Their natural drive to learn and understand how things work allows each child to create a curriculum that is meaningful. top of page The Living School offers a wide variety of classes that are also available to the area homeschool community. In addition, any student can create a class through structuring time with staff, recruiting an outside teacher to hold a class at the school or attending a class external to the school. Other options include distance learning, apprenticeships, work-study and community projects created by the student. top of page Can my child attend particularclasses without enrolling in the school? Yes. Classes are available on a single-class, fee basis for non-enrolled students. Check the class catalog and class enrollment instructions. We offer a wide range of individual classes open to anyone, for class schedule and enrollment information click here. .top of page Will my child learn all he needs if he's not "exposed" to everything? Through books, newspapers, magazines, television, movies, radio, the Internet, observation, and conversation with the people in the student's life (other students, staff, family, friends, neighbors, etc.)—in other words, through living—your child will be exposed to everything relevant to his or her life. In our day and age, overexposure is more of a challenge than lack of exposure. top of page How does one choose among all the areas of interest? At The Living School your child will have the opportunity to discover what they are passionate about, build on their strengths, and learn what they need to be effective in the world. Staff and student work together to develop a learning plan that emcompasses these areas We offer a wide range of individual classes, as well. top of page How are rules created in the school? In the democratic structure of The Living School, freedom comes with direct responsibility for actions and interactions with others. Rules are created by and for the entire school community to serve all its participants. top of page 
Students attend classes they initiate, as well as converse, play, read, study, make decisions concerning school resources and personnel, participate in classes, go on field trips, hold apprenticeships, help run the school. The possibilities are endless. Students can create a business, grow a garden, explore nature, create a complex game involving the whole school, sit and read quietly, converse about the meaning of life, share secrets, paint pictures, learn to play an instrument—whatever the child is interested in doing and learning. top of page Members of the staff serve many roles. They respond to students' requests for instruction, perhaps by tutoring, teaching a class, arranging an apprenticeship, or helping the student find an instructor or resource within the community at large. They also perform administrative and maintenance tasks that keep the school functioning. top of page What about state education requirements? The Colorado Department of Education does not mandate a prescribed set of adopted textbooks, approved curriculum, or course of study for public or private schools. Private schools are required to provide a basic academic education, but are protected from untoward interference by any board of education, state or local. As a Colorado Independent school we offer instruction in reading, writing, communication, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science and much more. We are open for a minimum of 172 days per school year and our facility meets all building and health standards. top of page What about accreditation and certification? As a private or independent school we are not required to be accredited or certified. We are established as a federal educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) and are incorporated in the State of Colorado. top of page This is not required by the state for a private or independent school. Students at private or independent schools are not required to take the CSAP standardized tests. If students choose to take the SAT because they wish to be admitted to college, they will be able to take time during school to focus on preparation. However, colleges make far less use of SAT scores in the admissions process than they once did, thanks largely to the great increase in homeschooled students who are accepted without these scores and do well in college. top of page Will my child get into college? A Living School education nurtures the very qualities and development of skills that get students into college: self-knowledge; self-confidence; mastery of specialized skills and areas of knowledge; research, communication and entrepreneurial skills; creativity; and initiative. These are qualities that college admissions boards and employers look for, and that stand students in good stead throughout their college and professional careers. top of page The Living School transcript includes the student's years of attendance and describes how the school works. It does not list the particular activities undertaken by the student while enrolled. Students applying to college supplement the transcript with a portfolio of their work and letters of recommendation from staff. Students obtain an interview at the college when possible and take extra care with the essay that is part of most college applications. Students from schools based on principles similar to ours have great success with this approach. Again, the advance of the homeschooling movement has made such alternatives to the traditional transcript a familiar sight in college admissions offices. top of page What hours is the school open? School hours are 8:30 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. The school year is from September to June. top of page Children aged 5 and up are generally eligible for enrollment. We have a variety of kinds of students, full-time and part-time enrolled as well as classes serving the homeschool community. Along with staff, parents, and volunteers, the school is a learning community center.Our intention is to maintain its small community character. top of page We try to keep a staff-to-student ratio of no less then 1 to 10. How is the administration of the school structured? Students and staff collectively determine school rules.top of page How do volunteers get involved? Volunteers are needed in many capacities. If you have energy and enthusiasm for creating this kind of school, see our volunteer page—we can use your help! See our Enrollment page. We also offer a wide range of individual classes open to anyone, for class schedule and enrollment information click here. top of page
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