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Learning—the way kids are wired

Here’s the truth: Children want to learn. When we align education with nature—the way nature designed us—we make it make sense again.

Our Approach

The fundamental question in education is not What should children learn? but rather What conditions do children need for full, healthy development, and how can we provide them? That's why our approach is based on three core truths that drive all human learning—truths backed by research and human history but often ignored by modern education systems.

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1

Curiosity is the Root of All Learning

Curiosity is a biological drive, as essential as hunger or thirst. Let a one-year-old loose in your living room, and she will explore every corner—it takes effort to stop her! When children follow their curiosity, learning happens naturally and deeply. Conventional education stifles this drive in many ways like by limiting time for personal interests and providing answers too soon rather than encouraging further questioning.

 

At The Village Electric, educators serve as resources, supporting curiosity rather than squashing it. Our role is to is understand each child’s natural tendency toward curiosity and support how it is expressed in that child.

2

Children Are People

Children are worthy of our full respect as human beings. In fact, autonomy is built into our wiring from birth. When we lack this basic need, we experience decreased natural motivation, anxiety, depression, or rebellion. By contrast, when children have agency over their daily activities, they develop confidence, self-direction, and a true sense of responsibility.

 

At the same time, they naturally seek community, learning through relationships, and shared experiences. By combining an absolute respect for self with a deep sense of community, we believe we are putting into practice ideals humanity has long struggled for.

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3

Children Are “Free-Range” Learners

For most of human history, children learned through exploration, play, and participation in the adult world. Research confirms this is how humans are designed to learn. In traditional hunter-gatherer societies, and up until quite recently, children gained knowledge not through structured lessons but by engaging with their surroundings and communities.

 

Today, children still need the same essential elements: play, spontaneity, hands-on experiences, and nurturing relationships. At The Village Electric, we protect children’s need to explore, create, and grow on their own terms.

The Benefits

The future belongs to people who can stretch their minds—who can shape, connect, and apply ideas in new ways. Conventional schools discourage this kind of thinking. At The Village Electric, it’s our entire curriculum. The benefits to your child are profound.

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Deeper, Faster Learning

When children follow their curiosity, learning isn’t just more effective—it becomes a lifelong passion.

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No Burnout

Autonomy and self-paced learning prevent the stress, exhaustion, and avoidance common in traditional schooling.

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Personal Agency

When students are given the opportunity to take charge of their education, they also learn that their life and happiness is in their hands.

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Stronger Self-Esteem

When children focus on their strengths and interests instead of being forced to struggle with things that don’t interest them, confidence comes naturally.

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More Fulfillment and Connection

A learning environment that respects the whole person leads to stronger relationships and a deeper sense of purpose.

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A Future-Proof Education

The world has changed, but conventional schooling hasn’t. We prioritize creativity, adaptability, resilience, and self-motivation—the skills that matter in real life.

  • What is a "democratic free school”?
    A democratic free school is a type of school modeled after the Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts, established in 1968 and the Summerhill School in Suffolk, UK founded over 100 years ago. We operate on the fundamental principle that children are inherently capable of directing their own learning and personal development. Therefore, we provide a space where students are free to explore their interests, learn at their own pace, and actively participate in the democratic governance of the school community. Traditional classroom structures are replaced with an environment rich in diverse activities and opportunities, fostering self-discovery, responsibility, and a love for lifelong learning.
  • How do you compare to conventional school?
    Much like conventional school, we are open daily and enroll students from 4 to 19 years old. Unlike conventional school, attendance at our school is flexible. Families can choose to attend either three, four, or five days a week. We give full responsibility for the learning process to the student. This means that classes, if and when they happen, are usually requested by students from teachers. Students are not segregated by age, instead they are free to mix much like they would in a large family. In addition, the school is a direct democracy in which students and staff participate equally in the running of the school.
  • Is it like unschooling?
    Unschooling and democratic free schools share a lot in common—both value self-directed learning, independence, and letting kids follow their interests. But there are key differences that set us apart. In unschooling, parents often take an active role, proactively encouraging and guiding their child based on the interests they observe. At The Village Electric, we don't cajole or nudge unless explicitly asked. Why? Because we believe by stepping back, we don't undermine children's trust in themselves to decide how to spend their time and what’s most meaningful to them. This level of autonomy helps kids develop a deep sense of self-confidence and agency that can’t be handed to them—it has to be lived. Another key difference is community. While unschooling tends to happen in the home, often with a parent acting as facilitator, our school creates a vibrant, multi-age community where kids can collaborate, problem-solve, and learn from one another. Whether they’re debating ideas in School Meeting, resolving conflicts through mediation, or working on a project together in the art studio, kids here are constantly practicing one of life's most difficult and necessary skills—how to get along with one another and still be yourself.
  • Will my child learn what he needs to know without required classes or a curriculum?
    The important question is: what exactly does your child need to know? The answer might surprise you. Children in our school primarily learn through living, which is how we are biologically designed to learn. By design, unless we stop them, children will naturally practice and learn the most important skills to become successful participants in the adult world. Children are always learning, every moment of the day, unless they are stressed, bored, or angry. Learning Through Play - We often think of “play” as something silly and frivolous. But for children, play is just another word for practice. Just like other animals, human children use play to practice the skills they will need in life. For humans, the most important and most difficult skill is getting along with other people. That is why children love to play together — talking, arguing over the rules of games, making up imaginary scenarios, building things together, and reaching compromises. Learning Deeply - Flow, as defined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a state of complete absorption in an activity, characterized by intense focus, enjoyment, and a sense of effortless progress. Entering a state of flow requires having sufficient time and the ability to choose an activity that aligns with your interests and abilities. A free learning environment like ours fosters flow which leads to heightened creativity, faster learning, better problem solving, increased confidence, and supports a lifelong love for discovery and growth. What's more, Mihaly studied the most creative and successful people in the world and determined they excel at sustaining a state of flow. Learning for the Future - To be successful at jobs of the future, our kids are going to need to be more flexible and creative than we are. They’ll need to learn new skills quickly at any time. Employers are already more and more searching for self-starters and independent, inspired workers. According to Yuval Noah Harari, the New York Times bestselling author of Sapiens, to prepare kids for the future of work we should switch from emphasizing “the three Rs” to “the four Cs”—critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. Daily practice of the four Cs are fundamental to life in a democratic free school like ours.
  • Will my child fall behind academically?
    Research has shown that there is no objective “right time” to learn anything. In their paper, What Does the Brain Have to Do With Learning?, Worden, Hinton, and Fischer found that “while there’s evidence for limited critical periods in brain development in limited domains (such as the strength of vision in the two eyes), no evidence supports a critical period for academic skills.” The brain rapidly absorbs information that it deems meaningful and useful. Anything else is ignored or quickly forgotten. Kids can learn important skills such as math, reading, writing, as well as more specialized skills, quickly when they are interested. It doesn’t take years and years, unless the brain is not ready.
  • What about learning the basics, like reading, writing, and math?
    Reading, writing, and arithmetic are basic life skills, and students here pick them up as byproducts of living their lives in an interesting, stimulating, and modern environment. They absorb these subjects as ways of thinking while they pursue other interests and goals. For example, many students learn to think mathematically by baking or dealing with money, and many students teach themselves to read by playing games, going online, and participating in life at school like writing motions for School Meeting. The “basics” are so important to functioning independently in our world that all students eventually have a very good reason to acquire them, and, motivated by that reason, do so rapidly.
  • How will my child discover what she likes if she's not required to try new things?
    In today’s world, children are inundated with ideas, trends, and possibilities through social interactions and media: TV, movies, social media, and games. The challenge isn’t exposure—it’s that structured schedules often leave little room for meaningful exploration. At our school, kids are free to follow their curiosity. On any given day, they try new things through play, conversations, and observing their peers. This organic process lets them gravitate toward what truly excites them. Because they have the autonomy to pursue their interests, they’re often exposed to far more variety than a traditional curriculum could ever provide. What’s more, children here aren’t limited to what’s introduced in school. They bring their outside passions into our community, sharing their knowledge with others. This peer-to-peer discovery is not only more engaging—it’s also a powerful, authentic way to spark new interests.
  • Won't my child just play all day?
    Maybe! But playing is fun and kids need to have a lot of fun in order to be healthy and happy. For more about all the educational benefits of play, see the questions above about learning.
  • How does this approach work for kids who aren't very self-motivated?
    Every child is born curious and self-motivated—it’s how they naturally learn to walk, talk, explore, and even master new technologies (often faster than adults!). But traditional schooling can stifle this intrinsic drive by dictating what, when, how, and where children learn. By the time many kids reach second or third grade, the impact becomes clear: they might feel bored, start disliking school, or lose confidence in their abilities. Some become "people pleasers" or perfectionists, while others grow angry or withdraw, labeling themselves as "unmotivated," "dumb," or worse. For some children, this happens even earlier. When kids are moved to a supportive, self-directed environment like ours, something remarkable happens. Freed from the constraints of a rigid system, they begin to reconnect with their natural curiosity and joy in learning. They rediscover their passions, explore personal interests, and, in doing so, build the confidence and excitement that drive genuine motivation.
  • Is a democratic free school good for neurodiverse children?
    Absolutely. At The Village Electric, we believe that every child—neurodiverse or neurotypical—deserves an environment where they can thrive by being themselves. Our flexible, self-directed model is especially suited to neurodiverse learners because it prioritizes individual strengths, needs, and interests. Here, kids are free to explore their passions at their own pace, with the support of a caring community that values differences. There are no one-size-fits-all expectations or rigid timelines; instead, we offer the space and tools for kids to learn in ways that work for them. Our staff is here to provide guidance when needed, stepping in with empathy and stepping back to allow independence. We’ve found that neurodiverse children often flourish in this setting, as it allows them to focus on what lights them up while developing social, emotional, and problem-solving skills in a natural, supportive way.
  • What if my child wants to learn something specific, like algebra?
    They absolutely can! Many students dive in independently using the school’s resources, but robust support is always available if they need it. Another student or a staff member may be able to help, or your child can initiate a tutoring session, an interest group, or even a class. In some cases, a staff member might design a curriculum and take on the role of a teacher. Other times, everyone learns together as peers, fostering collaboration and shared discovery. If no one on-site has the expertise needed on a particular subject, students can bring their request to School Meeting. School Meeting can help them plan next steps, such as hiring an instructor, arranging trips, finding internships, or accessing other resources.
  • What about screens?
    Based on decisions made as a community in School Meeting, personal devices are allowed in school with heavy restrictions. Currently, they can only be used during tech time or to play music. We have a dedicated tech time from 12-1pm each day during which School Meeting has granted permission to play certain games using personal or school-provided devices.
  • If your staff doesn't really teach, what do they do?
    Our staff act as resources, rather than traditional teachers. We are available to offer guidance, support, and tools when students seek them. We are also responsible for the safety and well-being of all community members and uphold the democratic principles of the school. We bring with us our own interests and expertise in various fields and can provide instruction or workshops based on student interest. Ultimately, we trust in the students' ability to learn and grow independently while we focus on creating a supportive environment for their exploration.
  • How does your democracy work?
    Students and staff members have equal voices and voting rights in School Meeting, the governing body of the community. School Meeting is responsible for creating and enforcing rules, managing the school's resources, resolving conflicts, and making decisions that affect the entire community. Through active participation in this democratic process, students learn valuable skills in communication, negotiation, compromise, and civic responsibility.
  • How are conflicts resolved?
    When conflicts arise, a student or staff member can bring the issue to any individual for mediation or to our judicial committee. The focus is on open communication, understanding perspectives, and finding solutions that repair harm and restore relationships. Students learn to advocate for themselves, listen to others, and take responsibility for their actions.
  • Why do you have age-mixing and how does it work?
    Age-mixing is an important part of life in our school. Students of all ages interact freely, fostering a natural and deep sense of community. Younger students have a chance to learn from older peers, who in turn develop mentoring and leadership skills. This natural learning environment mimics real-world social dynamics and promotes empathy, respect, and a strong sense of belonging among students of different ages.
  • What about college preparation and future success?
    Graduates from self-directed democratic schools like ours have demonstrated success in pursuing a variety of paths after they leave school, including college, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and creative pursuits. The skills they develop through self-directed learning, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, self-motivation, and communication, are highly valued in any field. While our school does not provide traditional transcripts, we help students to document their learning experiences and create portfolios to demonstrate their abilities and passions to potential colleges or employers.

Read more on our Substack

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Join a discussion of the science behind education and learning.

Our Story

The Village Electric began with a question: Why doesn’t school feel as exciting as the world outside it? In 2019, as we searched for schools for our two young children, we saw institutions stuck in the past while the world surged ahead with bold ideas and endless possibilities. In an era of groundbreaking technology and creativity, we wondered why education couldn’t be just as inspiring.

 

Then we discovered something exciting: a revolution in education was underway. Innovative models like SpaceX’s Astra Nova, Sudbury Valley Schools, and microschools across the country were rewriting the rules, and tools like OutSchool were opening new doors. What was missing was a space where kids could be free to be guided by their own curiosity and ambitions.

 

That’s how The Village Electric was born. Our mission: to create a school where kids can take charge of their lives, learn in the ways that suit them best, and pursue their passions. We dreamed of a community where children discover their genius, thrive as independent people, and grow into creative, compassionate citizens.

 

Since opening in 2021, the ideas behind The Village Electric have flourished. Guided by our vision of a world where happy, empowered children grow into fulfilled, impactful adults, we’ve built a place where curiosity, creativity, and freedom fuel every day. Here, education isn’t just preparation for life—it’s life itself.

 

We invite you to join us and see what’s possible when kids are free to explore their unique paths and reach their full potential. Together, we’re building something extraordinary. 

- Ben and Tammy, Cofounders

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