What Does Free School Mean?

At the Brooklyn Free School, students don't get grades, don't have homework, don't take tests, and don't even have to go to class — unless they want to. "You can do basically anything at any time," says Sophia Bennett Holmes, age 12. She is a student at the school in Brooklyn, New York. "If you just need to sit down and read and have time to play, then you can do that."

The U.S. used to have hundreds of "free schools." Most of them were started in the 1960s and 1970s. Nearly all of the free schools have shut down, but a few remain. They give parents and students a choice besides regular schools. “Free Schools” believe that children are naturally curious and learn best when they want to, not when forced to.

For years, Alan Berger worked as a school assistant principal. Then, in 2004, he started the Brooklyn Free School. He believes that kids learn best when they want to, not when they are told to.

There are 42 students at the Brooklyn Free School. They are aged five to seventeen. Each student must go to school for 5.5 hours a day. However, the students can choose how to spend that time. Their choices are endless. One student might spend the school day playing chess, reading a book, and practicing yoga. Another student might spend the day filming a horror movie, talking about chess or making caves for turtles. The school charges $10,000 per year. However, many parents just give what they can. There is also a waiting list of about 35 students.

Each student must attend a weekly meeting called the Democratic Meeting. At the meeting, students can talk about the problems they have or others have at school. They also set school rules. Each student or teacher gets one vote. The students' votes count as much as the votes of the teachers.

Some people have questions about the free school. They do not believe that the school prepares students for the real world. Some people also worry because the school does not have regular classes, like math or reading. They also say that it will be difficult for students to sit in classes, be quiet and listen to a teacher.

"I feel like free school students are going to have a hard time with college," says Victoria Rothman, 17. Rothman spent years in public school. Then she transferred to Brooklyn Free School. "There are kids who sit here and play video games all day. I would put a limit or ban it." she says.

Others do not agree. They say that it is more important for students to learn how to make their own decisions and do what they like.

The Brooklyn school is starting to have a few more rules. Soon, all students will need to present a portfolio showing that they have developed certain skills before they graduate. How will students show what they have learned? That depends on the student!