2007 Start a School 101<br>Online Course

In order to ensure optimal learning experience and enable students to get personal attention they need the class size is limited. If you are interested in enrolling or have any questions (including scholarship inquiries) do not hesitate to write to Aleksandra at amkaero@gmail.com or Jerry Mintz at jerryAERO@aol.com.

*Course is currently registering on a rolling basis.

Instructor: Jerry Mintz

The goal of this course is help educators assess the feasibility and resources required for starting a school. It will prepare students to undertake planning and opening a democratically run school. The course is designed to address practical as well as methodological and philosophical issues pertinent to the process. This includes clarifying the educational vision, building a suitable educational model and mastering the governance techniques necessary to successfully start and run a school.

Class 1
Different types of democratic schools and governance

Class 2
Clarifying educational vision

Class 3
Different kinds of governance

Class 4
Building a community around the idea of starting a school

Class 5
Legal requirements of a school

Class 6
Finding or building a school environment

Class 7
Financial basis of the school, including fundraising, budgeting and insurance issues

Class 8
Recruiting teachers and students

Class 9
The first days of school

Class 10
Recapitulation and evaluation

Jerry Mintz established and for eighteen years ran Shaker Mountain School (VT) – free school based on the principles of Iroquois democracy. He is the author of No Homework and Recess All Day and is currently Director of Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO).

Here are some of the evaluations of the course:
"What an amazing, diverse group of people! I told my husband last night that I feel that I've found my tribe, in a way. It's really the first time in my life that I've been surrounded by people who are thinking about all of the things that I am, who are concerned about the same things that I am, who are passionate about the same things that I am, who are dedicated to putting their thoughts into action like I am. It is truly wonderful!" --Mary

"This class has helped me spell out my ideas and put them out there in a safe place that is supportive and helps me see what potential they have. This class has also inspired me to discuss my vision more with others (in person) and let people know not only what I feel is necessary in education, but WHY I feel it is so necessary. I have developed more confidence in articulating my vision and by doing so, have gotten lots of valuable feedback and support in surprising areas. It is quite an exciting time for me seeing all of the ideas I have been playing around with in my head for so long finally come out and take shape into something that seems a little more realistically feasible each day!" --Katie

"I do feel the course has assisted in getting closer to my goal of opening my school. I have learned a great deal from the topics and the questions/comments posted by the collective group. I have a new sense of confidence and peace about this process. I do not see it as such a big thing now. I am already open for school everyday for my children and now I am just including some others with a little different twist." --Marianne

"This course has been spectacular-- it really has opened many doors for me and made a *major* step in the right direction for me opening my school-- both in what it has taught as well as in the people I have met." --Alex

"This course has been immensely helpful. Among other things, I've discovered that there is a considerable body of literature on the subject of alternative education, but the literature is NOT readily available. You won't encounter it as required reading in teacher preparation courses. You won't find it in most public libraries. One thing I could do, I suppose, and it would be tax-deductible, would be to purchase the available materials from The Education Revolution website and DONATE them to the library." -- Robert

Schools We Have Recently Helped Start

Raleigh Progressive School (NC, U.S.A)

Brooklyn Free School (NY, U.S.A.)

Ridge and Valley Charter School (NJ, U.S.A.)

Manzanita School (CA, U.S.A.)

Golden Independent School (CO, U.S.A.)

Wellspring School (NJ, U.S.A.)

Nahoon Montessori School (New London, South Africa)

Terry McArdle Free School (NJ, U.S.A.)

Voyagers Learning Center (NJ, U.S.A.)

Village Free School (OR, U.S.A.)

Missoula Community School (MT, U.S.A.)

Hill Country Montessori (GA, U.S.A.)

Arch Academy (VA, U.S.A.)

Celebration Education (CA, U.S.A.)

Harriet Tubman Free School (NY, U.S.A.)

Foundations School (CA, U.S.A.)

Espacio A (PR, U.S.A.)

The Discovery School (ME, U.S.A.)

Shenendoah Valley Community School (VA, U.S.A.)

Forest School (ON, Canada)

The Central Coast Village School (CA, U.S.A.)

Wheels of Life School (WA, U.S.A.)

The School Without Walls (FL, U.S.A.)

The Journey School and Resource Center (VT, U.S.A.)

Wildwood School (BC, Canada)

The Watershed Learning Center-Circleville (NY, U.S.A.)

Ashuelot River Free School (NH, U.S.A.) The Whole School Limerick (ME, U.S.A.)

Home Life Academy (TN, U.S.A.)

Liberty Learning Center (TX, U.S.A.)

Laura Austin Achievement Center (NY, U.S.A.)

Beacon Academy, Lafayette (IN, U.S.A.)

To enroll immediately, please click order below!

Contact Info: Tel: 1-800-769-4171 & 1-516-621-2195
Fax: 1-516-625-3257 / E-Mail: info@educationrevolution.org
417 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577