What a happy surprise!
I read a book when I was 12-14 years old called _Summerhill_ about a school in England. A democratic school, ages 5 to 18 where every student and teacher got the same vote for the rules they had to follow and the positions they would hold in their responsibilities.
The book inspired me along with a series of books by John Holt. I got into the closest I could find via scholarship – Vail Deane Alums – which wasn’t democratic, but it was 5 to 18 and small too.
It’s also why I went to Hampshire College – a school with no grades – not democratic but fulfilled some aspects. Money got in the way there but it was a positive experience.
Various other things through the years tied into that book reading. It was a very old book when I saw it – written in 1939. My public library copy was from the 1950s.
I was sure the school was long gone.
I did hear that it was going into problems in 1999 by new local govt and I was sure that was it for the “freedom not license” model school.
But I am subscribed to the feeds of other Democratic schools that exist.
One of them posted a leavings video from 2023 students. it still runs! And it’s *exactly* what I pictured in my mind from that book years ago!
And I also found out they made a movie about it in 2008!
So I’m happy. unexpected surprise for me.
They even have a Facebook. A.S.Neill’s Summerhill School
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