Lilith

This is Lilith, a fiercely self-determined and pretty private (but not shy) gal with amazing luminescent red hair and also red sneakers. She’s been around for years now, and she’s quietly become a protector of the self-directed education’s central tenants of trust and freedom. Last year, the school instituted its first regulation on the use of screens, creating a ban on electronic gaming in our lounge. Like an uncompromising lawyer from the ACLU, Levi never let the issue drop, insisting that the ban infringed on the rights of Hudson Valley Sudbury School students to self-determination. She pointed out that it was unfair to scapegoat gaming by continuing to allow all other uses of screens, suggested that it might indicate a hidden bias against young boys, and argued that the school was betraying its philosophy. She recruited allies to speak at School Meeting (she didn’t want to do that part), and got the rule overturned. No one escapes her strong sense of justice. Although staff and students here are technically equal within the legal structure of the school, the staff sometimes get the benefit of the doubt by simple virtue of their age (just like everywhere else). But Lilith has no problem holding the staff accountable, and I hope others will pick up on it and follow suit!

Lilith is funny, but there’s also no joking with her – she’s very literal. She’s a D&D gal and a gamer, and she’ll find any cozy nook and curl up in it. She just got Christmas lights installed in her secret spot at school (but I can’t tell you where it is of course).

I asked Lilith what she usually replies when someone suggests she “doesn’t learn anything” at our school, a perenial trial for most of our students, and she said, “I’ve never heard anyone say that! People say that? But– They’re wrong! I learn so much here! Math, and other stuff people think you should learn, but also lots of social stuff. For me, it’s a lot of social stuff.”

Lilith, we’re so happy and grateful you’re here, defending liberty and young people’s rights and developing your social self and enjoying life. Thank you for adding so much to our little school 🙂

Parents’ experience of the school is a crucial factor in determining their childrens’ experience of the school. Children of parents who work hard to understand our philosophy, communicate with staff, attend events, and connect with the community usually get the most out of our program.

At Zena Democratic School, rule infractions and interpersonal conflicts are resolved using sophisticated restorative justice tools.

Age-mixing is one of the most potent developmental experiences at Zena Democratic School.

Each student aged 14+ is automatically enrolled in our High School Advisor Program;

Screens are allowed at school, with restrictions.

At Zena Democratic School, a Cooperative (coop) is a group of like-minded students and staff who organize around a common interest, like music, art, or sports.

At Zena Democratic School, the jobs of administration and maintenance are divided into roles called Clerkships;

Every student and staff at Zena Democratic School is assigned a cleaning job by the Physical Plant Clerk.

Students may receive a diploma if they elect to undergo our internal diploma process.

Zena Democratic School is located on a parcel of 67 wooded acres in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

Zena Democratic School is a direct democracy; each student and member of the staff has an equal vote in managing all aspects of the school’s operation.