At Tallgrass, we understand that choosing an alternative education path, like the Sudbury model, can cause some anxiety, and we expect that a family’s early days at school will involve plenty of questions and a bit of soul searching. We strive to maintain a strong parent community that provides ongoing support between parents, and an environment to ask questions and voice concerns as the students take this adventure.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other questions and concerns in person at a school tour, public event, or open house.
Q: Are you an alternative school?
A: This term has many definitions. We are absolutely an alternative in that we have a very different approach to education. We are not:
A behavioral modification program
A diploma-completion program
A therapeutic school
Q: What are your hours?
A: Tallgrass is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students must be in attendance at least 5.5 hours per day, 5 days per week to meet student attendance policies. Students may attend all day or attend for any 5.5 hours within our school day depending on what works best for each student and their family.
Q: How do I know if my child is getting an education (learning math, science, writing)?
A: Sudbury schools do not have a specific academic curriculum. We believe, and have witnessed, that children learn traditional academics when they are ready for them.
Traditional schools push children to learn specific things at specific times in their lives. This can hold some children back, and push other children to learn things that they may not be ready for, at the expense of other, equally important, development. (Read one parent’s story of how Tallgrass has helped in her son’s development.)
When a child does decide to pursue something like math, they will have a higher likelihood of having the information stick with them, as opposed to just remembering it until the test is over.
It is common for children who are self-directed learners to be "ahead" in some subjects and "behind" in others during their time at school. However, more than 50 years of Sudbury education have shown that Sudbury students leave school with the skills and knowledge necessary to follow their chosen path. Learn more about the pros and cons of Sudbury schools.
Q: Do you serve children with special needs?
A: Students with special needs like ADHD, learning differences, and autism spectrum disorders have thrived at our school. However, we are not a therapeutic school, and do not have staff trained specifically in special needs. All students must be able to function safely in our school environment and communicate well enough to understand and follow school rules. If you have questions about your child’s special needs, please call 708.777.1037 or email us and we'd be happy to discuss whether our school would be a good fit for your family.
Q: What if I am not sure if my child can't handle the amount of personal freedom and responsibility at Tallgrass?
A: Students at Tallgrass are in charge of their own education, which means balancing freedom and responsibility. Students are expected to sign in and out every day, do chores, participate in RC and the occasional mandatory school meeting, and be able to follow school rules and exist peaceably with the other members of school.
Many adults are surprised at how well most children, in this environment, rise to meet these expectations. We expect a transition period when a student transfers to Tallgrass, and maintain open communication with families during this time, so that any issues with transitioning can be addressed. However, as with any school, sometimes Sudbury education is not a good fit for a particular student. Learn more about which students do best at Sudbury schools. Or download our free e-book, Is Self-Directed Education Right for Your Child?
Q: What are your school’s COVID-19 policies?
A: Tallgrass follows state guidelines regarding COVID-19, and our policies are similar to many other public and private schools.
Q: How will my child learn math if there is not a specific math class offered?
A: Children seek information when they are ready to learn it. When they come across situations where they need higher math skills they will acquire them.
Basic math skills are learned in everyday life, at school and at home. Things like using money, playing video games, creating art, and reading the time, are all examples of using basic math daily. If "being taught" is the path to learning the student chooses, staff are capable and prepared to teach many different subjects at a student's request.
Check out this TED Talk from a conventional math teacher.
Q: Will my child be able to get into college?
A: Our graduates have gone on to university, community college, trade programs, and directly into the work world. Watch one of our alumni panels to learn more about some of their journeys.
Tallgrass supports students in pursuing their future plans, whether or not that includes college. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are prepared for that future. The staff are here to support the student in their pursuits.
Tallgrass has a voluntary diploma program for students who have been enrolled 2 or more years, and who successfully defend a thesis at a school Assembly Meeting.
Q: Will my child be able to go back to conventional school?
A: We discourage families from enrolling as a “stop gap” or “year out” from conventional school. The different orientation to learning takes time to adapt to for both the student and the parents. We encourage families to plan on committing for at least two years, and hope that it will continue to be a good fit through the end of your child’s K-12 education.
That said, if a student wishes to return to a more conventional school, they are usually able to do so with little difficulty. Many students transition back to a more conventional setting seamlessly or, for selective high schools, with some targeted test preparation.
Q: What if all my child wants to do is play games all day?
A: That's great! Society often views play as a waste of time, but at Tallgrass we consider it an essential form of learning. Through play, children learn to express creativity, cope in social situations, learn about their interests and develop their sense of right and wrong, among many other skills.
Here is a blog post on "Mind/Shift" about the importance of play.
Q: How will my child get exposed to things that they haven't already expressed interest in?
A: In a conventional school, students are largely isolated from the world around them, then “exposed” by teachers to select knowledge and opportunities deemed appropriate for that population of students. At Tallgrass, students are exposed to widely varying ideas and activities simply because the students exist both within the school community and beyond, so that parents, siblings, friends, and media are all considered valid influences and sources of knowledge. Students learn about opportunities and ideas through conversations, play, and by seeing what other students and staff are doing. If a student becomes passionate about one interest, he or she has the time and space to pursue it intensely.
Q: Is religion part of Tallgrass?
A: Religion is not part of any school activities at Tallgrass. Students are free to follow their own religious beliefs while attending Tallgrass. Our school is located on the top floor of the Riverside United Methodist Church, but we are not affiliated with that or any other church or religion.
Q: Can parents be involved?
A: Of course! As at most schools, parents are not generally present during the school day. Parents are welcome to stop in for a few minutes during drop off or pickup. Our parent volunteer group organizes parent volunteer opportunities as well as community activities, like parent coffees and camping trips.
Q: When was Tallgrass founded?
A: Tallgrass Sudbury School was founded in 2008 by Melissa Bradford and a group of unschooling families, most of whom had unschooler teens.
Q: Where can I learn more?
For more help in deciding whether self-directed education is right for your family, download our free-ebook.
In 2016, Tallgrass was featured in a story on NPR. We have also been featured in the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.
A past volunteer has written about his experiences at Tallgrass.
Michael Goldberg, an educator on a mission to learn more about meaningful education, shared his thoughts about Tallgrass.
Check out psychology professor Peter Gray's wonderful Psychology Today blog, Freedom to Learn, about the roles of play and curiosity as foundations for learning. Gray and colleagues have published a study of Hudson Valley Sudbury School alumni and their experiences with Sudbury education.
Peter Gray has also published a book, Free to Learn.
Want to raise safe, self-reliant kids without going nuts with worry? Read Free Range Kids.
Drive by Daniel Pink explores how we find our true motivation when we have the freedom to self-direct our own lives.
You can find the closest Sudbury school to you by viewing the Google Map created by Alpine Valley School in Colorado.
Is your family ready to make the leap to self-directed learning? Get our free guide to some of the most important questions to consider.