With a very high teacher to student ratio and a wide open curriculum we appeal to a wide range of students. Read more below to explore if The Free School is a good fit for you.
THE TEST OF TIME
The Free School is no newcomer to alternative education, in fact we are proud of our 30-year history as a thriving alternative school in Albany. We are part of a growing movement in this type of education, which is largely a response to the dramatic failings of public schools.
FREEDOM, CHOICE, & RESPONSIBILITY
The most important difference between The Free School and other schools, is that we work very hard to create an environment where our students and teachers engage in the practice of freedom. In other words we don’t decide what we think should be learned and then teach that information. Instead we challenge our students to view each day as their own- “It’s your life, it’s your education, how do you want to do it?”
A DESIRE TO LEARN
At The Free School there are no mandatory classes, no grades, tests, or homework. In fact, our methods challenge the fundamentals of what many of us think learning is “supposed to be”. Ironically, The Free School is one of the few places a young person can really get down to the fundamentals of learning. We don’t chase after the students trying to get them to learn. We challenge them to discover their own desire to learn, engage with each other, question, explore, discover, and grow.
DOES IT REALLY WORK?
It depends on what you and your child are looking for in an education. The best way to decide is to visit the school. Take a minute and talk to the students. You’ll find them to be engaged, active, and pursuing their unique interests with passion.
NEXT STEPS
- Have a look below at our Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit our admissions page
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Enrollment
What are the age requirements for The Free School?
The Free School has grade pre-K to 8th grade, so we take kids ages 3 to 14. The kids are broken into age groups with assigned teachers but inter-mixing of ages is frequent and fosters a true sense of community amongst our students.
How do students decide The Free School is right for them?
The Free School works very well for across many different learning styles for many different students. To explore if The Free School is right for you and your child you must first start out by joining our Waiting List. Please complete a waiting list application and you will be contacted in the case that there are enrollments openings for your child’s age group.
General
How many students attend the school?
In a typical year we have anywhere from 55 to 65 students, with a fulltime staff of 6 teachers, 1 cook, and 2-4 interns.
Is it free to attend The Free School?
It isn’t free but it’s very affordable. Since we are a non-public school we do require a tuition fee, but it is sliding scale and based on your family’s income level. Tuition is determined by a financial committee and is paid on a monthly schedule. We do also offer financial assistance on an as needed basis and will never turn away a child for the inability to pay.
Where is The Free School located?
We are located in the South End of Albany, NY. Our building is at 8 Elm Street, between Phillip and Grand Street. View the map for more details.
What are the school’s hours and calendar?
The school day runs from 7:30am till 3:00pm and we basically follow the public school calendar with very similar holiday schedules. View the calendar for more.
The Free School Approach
Are there any rules?
Yes, although unnecessary rules are generally avoided, we do have certain rules in place to ensure the safety of the kids in and around the school building. Rules can also be created by staff and students in our democratically run council meetings and all-school meetings.
Will my child be prepared for the real world if they attend The Free School?
In many ways the Free School model of education is much closer to the way the real world works than traditional models. In the real world there are always a mix of age groups working together and there is no one telling you what to do all the time. In the real world we are responsible for our own actions and need to be self-motivated, self-sufficient and creative. So children learn about the real world all the time at The Free School.
The Free School does not give grades or tests, how do you evaluate students?
Since we have such a low student-teacher ratio (8:1 on average) we are able to build close relationships with our students, and therefore able to have an awareness of how a child is progressing and growing on a daily basis. We do also have a formal system of evaluation, called a mid-year report, which is a descriptive review of a child including observations of all aspects of a student’s life and work at the school. These observations by the student’s teacher, and those of the rest of the staff, are combined into a written report which is sent home to parents. This report is followed up by a parent-teacher conference where we seek to more fully understand each child and discuss ways to foster their growth and development at the school.
What is the role of parents and guardians?
Parents and guardians are very important to the school. The school will have the greatest amount of success if the parents and guardians of the students share in the philosophy that the school is based on. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take an active role in the school, and can visit at any time and if they are interested even lead classes, suggest field trips and activities. There are also regularly scheduled parent forums, parent support groups, and parents are invited to attend our monthly board meetings as well. We like to think of parents as valuable members of our school community and encourage and them to bring ideas and suggestions the students and staff.