Global

Self-Directed Democratic

School Conference

July 10-14th, 2024

Hosted by Alpine Valley School

Here are just a few of the schools already registered for the conference:

Clearview Sudbury School, Udesya, Three Rivers Village School, Tallgrass Sudbury School, Alpine Valley School, Macomber Center, The Circle School, Saint Louis Sudbury School, Arts & Ideas Sudbury School, The Miami Sudbury School, The Open School

Registration for the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference is Now Closed

The Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, hosted by Alpine Valley School, is a special event scheduled from July 10th to 14th, 2024, that unites educators, students, and advocates of self-directed democratic schooling from around the world. This event will be especially beneficial for those inspired by Sudbury Valley School’s pioneering example of self-directed democratic schooling.

  • Conference Dates: July 11-14, 2024

    • Preliminary schedule for the conference is available below.

  • Founders Group & Startup Symposium: July 10th, 2024 3:00 PM

    • For a small additional fee, join with other founders groups and newly established schools for an afternoon of focused discussion and dinner (more details below).

  • Location: Alpine Valley School, Wheat Ridge, Colorado (4501 Parfet St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033)

  • Focus: Networking and breakout sessions for educators and advocates of self-directed democratic learning

    • Session content will be submitted, voted on, and scheduled by participants in advance (in true self-directed fashion)

  • Registration Fee: $320 per adult, $150 per student, additional $50 for the startup symposium on July 10th

    • Included in Registration: All special events (except founders symposium), daily breakout sessions, daily lunches, dinners on Wednesday to Saturday, outing on Sunday

    • Ticketing & Registration: Registration for the conference is now closed.

    • Registration Fees: The registration fees for the conference include administrative fees charged by our registration vendor, Ticketstripe, which are necessary to cover the costs of their services.

  • Deadline to Register: Registration for the conference will close a month in advance, on June 10th, 2024.

  • Attendees: Staff from self-directed democratic schools, enrolled students, individuals in the movement (not associated with a particular school), startup groups/founders

    • Student attendees must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

  • Frequently Asked Questions about the conference can be found here.

Preliminary Schedule

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 (Founders Session & Dinner)

The Founders Group and Startup Symposium, an additional (optional) day of the conference, is specially tailored for individuals and teams who are at the forefront of establishing their own self-directed democratic schools. This session will be most useful to founders or startup groups who have not yet established a school or are in the very early stages (first 1-2 years) of operation. Recognizing that these pioneers have unique challenges and needs, this symposium addresses the nuances of starting and running a self-directed democratic school. For a small additional fee of $50, participants gain access to a dedicated 3 hour session that delves into topics focused on the founding of a self-directed democratic school and a group dinner once the symposium has concluded.

12:30 PM: Registration for Startup Groups

3:00PM: Founders & Startup Group Symposium

6:30 PM: Dinner

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 (Official Conference Start)

11:30 AM: Conference Registration

1:00 PM: Workshop Brainstorming & Planning Session

3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

5:00 PM: Welcome Announcements

6:00 PM: Dinner: Baked Potato Bar (salad, potatoes, butter, bacon, cheese, sour cream, chili)

8:00 PM: Welcome Event: S’mores & Sparklers

Friday, July 12th, 2024

10:00 AM: Breakout Sessions

12:00 PM: Lunch: Boxed Lunches (Ham, turkey, strawberry feta salad, cookie & chips)

1:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

5:00 PM: Daily Announcements

6:00 PM: Dinner: Taco Bar (Salad, ground beef, chicken, rice, beans, chips, cheese, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce)

8:00 PM: Special Event: What The $@#!

The "What the #$@!" session, a highlight of the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, promises to be an unforgettable evening. This popular event features staff members from various self-directed democratic schools sharing their most outlandish and humorous stories from their experiences in education. Attendees can expect an array of astonishing tales that range from the wildly improbable to the hilariously absurd, all showcasing the unpredictable and often entertaining aspects of working in such dynamic educational environments.

Saturday, July 13th, 2024

10:00 AM: Breakout Sessions

12:00 PM: Lunch: Box Lunch (Aspen wrap, fajita wrap, greek salad, cookie, chips)

1:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

5:00 PM: Daily Announcements

6:00 PM: Dinner: BBQ Dinner (pork, chicken, impossible burgers, baked beans, chips, potato salad, fruit salad, buns)

7:30 PM: Public Event: Visionaries & Voices

Join us for "Visionaries & Voices," an extraordinary evening that highlights the essence and impact of self-directed democratic education. Scheduled for Saturday night at the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, this special event is open to the public, including parents and alumni of Alpine Valley School. "Visionaries & Voices" will feature a series of engaging talks by prominent leaders in the self-directed democratic education community, offering deep insights and inspiring stories. These presentations will be beautifully complemented by a variety of performances from AVS students, showcasing the rich creativity and diverse talents nurtured in schools like ours.

Sunday, July 14th, 2024

10:00 AM: Breakout Sessions

11:30 AM: Conference Close-Out

12:00 PM: Special Event: Outing & Picnic Lunch

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon outing and picnic lunch, a perfect way to unwind and connect with fellow attendees of the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference. While the exact details are still being finalized, this event promises to be a memorable experience, blending the natural beauty of Colorado with good company and delicious food. We plan to explore some of the scenery near Alpine Valley School, taking advantage of Colorado's picturesque landscapes.

Questions? Contact the conference organizer Marc Gallivan at marc@alpinevalleyschool.com