A Liberating Alternative to School
For children ages 5-12, Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm.
We welcome part-time students.
What is Sky Bear Agile Learning Community?
Sky Bear Agile Learning Community is a Self-Directed Education Community and alternative to school located in Port Townsend, WA, USA. We are an enrichment program and resource for unschooling and homeschooling youth and families. Our community is for families who believe that learning should not be confined to the four walls of a classroom, that children should be free to explore, play and pursue their interests at their own pace and in their own time, and with whomever they wish to share that experience.
Simply put, self-directed education means that learners are in charge of how they spend their time and what they want to achieve. There are no curricular or academic requirements such as quizzes or exams -- unless requested by the child in their own pursuit of mastery and knowledge. Adults act as Facilitators whose role is to support, encourage, and assist (but never to impose or force an agenda).
As a community, we intentionally co-create and evolve a culture of social responsibility, where adults and children practice respect and consent. Conflicts are resolved or prevented by open, honest, and conscious communication and by a desire to create a harmonious and supportive atmosphere -- a place where we want to come to every single day.
Sky Bear ALC is a member of the Agile Learning Centers network and the Alliance for Self Directed Education.
In Self-Directed Education (SDE), adults respect and nurture children’s natural assumptions that they are capable of learning and in charge of their own education, and actively try to disrupt society’s narrative that tells children they are incapable of being responsible for their learning.
OFFERINGS, NOT CLASSES
Instead of mandatory classes, students, facilitators, and even parents create "offerings" - activities where others offer to share their time and expertise to those willing to join.
CONSENT, NOT CURRICULUM
All activities are voluntary. No one is forced to do anything against their will. No required study material, quizzes, exams, papers, projects. Ever.
CREATIVITY, NOT CONFORMITY
We promote a culture of self-expression and freedom (within the limits of legality and safety).
FACILITATORS, NOT TEACHERS
We call our adult staff members ‘facilitators’ rather than teachers. Their role is to support our learners in identifying and pursuing their interests and create a positive culture by using different approaches such as agile tools, coaching, mentoring, and even teaching.
FREEDOM, NOT FEAR
Freedom provides the healthiest foundation for learning. Kids learn because they want to, not because they fear a failing grade, or a parent's reprimand, or society's scorn.
“Children come into the world exquisitely designed and strongly motivated to educate themselves; they don't need to be forced to learn. In fact, coercion undermines their natural desire to learn.”
- Peter Gray
Humans evolved to educate themselves — not sit in rows.
Sky Bear ALC affirms and promotes the full participation of persons in all our activities and endeavors including membership, programming, and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic, and social situation.