James, who has been at the school the last four years after transferring from Lafayette Elementary School, splits his time at Diablo Valley and a cooking school in Sonoma. They are free to attend activities and classes elsewhere, but must sign themselves in and out. Students are required to be at school at least four hours a day. Two are mothers of students in the school, while the third staff member, Anthony Burik, previously taught at a San Francisco middle school. Instead of teachers, there are three "staff" members who help guide the children in planning and carrying out daily activities and long-term projects. "It's a different way of doing school altogether," said Ofer Erez, who runs a holistic health business called Health Etc. The schools run counter to many accepted ideas about education because they eschew structure and heavy reliance on standardized testing. Because it is a private school, no standardized testing is required.Īnnual tuition at such schools averages between $4,000 and $5,000. A second graduate lives in England, while a third lives and works in Los Angeles and the fourth still resides in the Bay Area but is not in college. Since its opening, Diablo Valley has had four graduates, one of whom is attending Diablo Valley College. Usually the younger a child is enrolled at Diablo Valley, the longer he or she stays, according to school officials, noting that older kids often tend to transfer after a year or two because of the stark contrast with traditional schools. "Can they choose not to involve themselves in math and science? That could be a problem." ![]() "I would want to see to what extent they pursue interests over time," said Shepard. Shepard said school staff would have to take extra care to ensure that students do not shy away from subjects they may not like. "It all depends on the staff and how the process is approached." "It's probably very good for the students who are motivated, and it could challenge those students who might be unmotivated in the public schools," Shepard said. Lori Shepard, dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, said the Sudbury system could benefit students who don't do well in traditional schools. "He's always interested in innovation and different ways to educate kids, as long as they follow state standards." "Superintendent Jack O'Connell says he always believes in local control within the public school system," said department spokeswoman Tina Jung. Since the state department of public education only deals with public schools, it does not collect data on the Sudbury school format or its results. There is no imposed class time or structure and no age-based classes. Sudbury schools - there are about 20 worldwide - are private schools where students are free to study whatever subjects interest them at their own speed. There are similar schools in Santa Clara, Marin and Sacramento, Amy Erez said. The students range from 6 to 16 years old. The private school is not accredited by the state. Most of the students are from central Contra Costa, but some come from San Francisco, Livermore and Vallejo. ![]() Concord residents Ofer and Amy Erez started the school in 1997 as an educational alternative for their son Yo'el, now 10 years old. In yet another, a child was building an elaborate structure in the middle of the floor out of large wooden building blocks.ĭiablo Valley is a Sudbury school, one of about a dozen in the nation modeled after the Sudbury Valley School which opened in 1968 in a Boston suburb. In another room, a pair of teenage boys sat before matching computers playing games, while a third stretched out on a nearby couch listening to a Walkman with his eyes closed. In the end, Amanda pled guilty and was sentenced by a 3-to-2 vote to give James a verbal apology, but spared from enduring any harsher penalties, such as being barred from participating in activities she likes. ![]() "Because you were pointing at me," James said rolling his eyes. "How does he know I was laughing at him? I could have been laughing at myself," Amanda said, appreciating the logic of her argument. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Deanna asked her little sister.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |