Teddy McArdle Free School

This is a letter my teacher Elizabeth wrote:

Dear Friends, 

I'm writing to tell you about a school that is very important to me. Teddy McArdle Free School is in its second year of existence, and it is an amazing community to be a part of. TMcAFS is a democratic free school, which means that kids are free to design their own days, to choose what to learn, and when, and how. We believe that people deserve to be treated with compassion and respect and to be given the opportunity for self-determination, and we believe that kids are people. The democratic aspect means that the vast majority of school rules are made by the school meeting, at which each member of the community gets one vote. The students learn about participatory democracy in the most hands-on way possible, and in the process they're learning problem-solving, critical thinking, rhetoric, logic, written and oral communication, conflict resolution, and countless other essential life skills.

I can't begin to describe how much it means to each and every one of our students to be here, and for visitors just to know that this option exists. This is a space where students can be valued for who and what they are, and never expected to conform to someone else's vision of success or worth. It is a place where all the kids LOVE coming to school! Obviously, we hold down the extreme end of the educational bell curve; but someone has to. Someone needs to be asking the questions we do, to make sure people give it serious thought every time they use coercion to shape who a child is, or to change their view of the world "for their own good".

This school is an amazing vision of bright light in this world. These kids are thriving, are learning about how to live in community, and how to make their own choices and deal with the consequences. It is a joy watching one of our shyer students blossom as she learns to speak up for herself in the democratic meetings. Watching one student help another with reading or math. Watching as one of our older students grows into a mentorship role, guiding and supporting some of the younger students. Watching everyone work together to build the cottage as part of our natural construction project...

I know that everyone's finances are unbelievably tight right now, but I am asking you to consider searching your hearts and your wallets one more time and donating to Teddy McArdle. If you've read the description of the school and thought, "wow, I wish there'd been a school like that when I was a kid" or "hmm, I wonder if my child would have an easier time of it in a school like that"... If you've read Louisa May Alcott books and thought, "Now *that's* what a childhood should look like -- reading together, wandering in nature, being surrounded by adults doing their own work but ever-ready to stop what they're doing to answer a child's question or share an adventure!" or even if you've read about us and thought "now, that's just wild!" but you believe that families should have options for their kids, regardless of income ; that the children of poor and middle-class families have the same right to alternative options as the children of the rich -- then *please* consider making a donation. Our commitment to sliding scale tuition allows us to make sure that no family that's drawn to this kind of education has to walk away because of money, and your donation makes that commitment possible.

The easiest way for you to donate is by going to our donation page and using the paypal button. You can also send a check to Teddy McArdle Free School 139 Main Street, Little Falls, NJ 07424.

We've attached a wonderful short video made by Amanda Wilder, a film-maker who has been filming a documentary at our school. It is a charming look at some of the day-to-day experience of being at TMcAFS. Please take a look:

 

We would greatly appreciate if you would take a moment and whatever dollars you can spare, and help us hold this space for them, giving them the chance to fulfill all the potential I can see every single day I'm in this school. Please also forward this email to anyone you know is interested in alternative education or children's rights, to ask them to consider supporting this phenomenal school