FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are based at the Gill Tract Community Farm in Albany. We also visit various east bay parks and other learning opportunities like farms and outdoor workshops. We are continuing to expand our locations to include a wider variety of opportunities.
IS THE SOLIDARITY SCHOOL A GOOD FIT FOR MY GIFTED CHILD/ CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
Whether EBSS is a good fit for any family depends a lot on your particular circumstances, needs, and goals. In our experience, our programs work best for families and caregivers who are comfortable with learning that ebbs and flows around the interests of the children, and for children who are willing to take part in planning and directing their own learning, and can work without direct instruction or supervision. If you've read over our website and believe your child would thrive in our program, please get in touch.
WHAT AGES DO YOU SERVE?
Right now our group spans 3-12 year olds. Generally this is a program for school aged children who are able to social distance (judge 6 ft distances, wear a mask), but we are experimenting with a preschool pod.
WILL MY CHILD BE THE YOUNGEST/OLDEST/ONLY CHILD OF THEIR AGE?
Maybe. We understand the concern, especially since we've all grown accustomed to schooling that takes place alongside same age peers. However, we believe that mixed-age learning environments offer huge benefits and opportunities for social, emotional, and academic growth. Yes, even if your child happens to be the youngest, oldest, or only one of their age! Here is a wonderful article about the value of mixed-age play, by author Peter Gray.
WILL MY CHILD DEVELOP MATH AND LITERACY SKILLS AT THE SOLIDARITY SCHOOL?
EBSS does not offer a linear approach to education. We work with an emergent learning model, so we do not offer a fixed amount of writing, science and math each day. However, we are always looking for ways to motivate math and literacy skills through child-centered programming (games, puzzles, storytelling, hands on projects, etc). Please see the "our approach" page for more explanation!
THAT'S ALL VERY CUTE, BUT CONSENSUS-BASED CHILDCARE DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK, RIGHT?
We didn't expect collective process with the kids to be easy; we wondered if we bit off more than we could chew, aiming for 2 meetings a day. Looking back now on the Fall, we are pleased to note that, in fact... it's been super easy! Breezy, even!
"Traditional" authoritarian schooling (which is in fact a relatively modern concept) is not the only option, nor is it, in our minds, the best option. We have had great success in empowering children to take responsibility for their decisions and giving them opportunities to learn that are rooted in their interests and lived reality, and we invite you to try it too!
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are based at the Gill Tract Community Farm in Albany. We also visit various east bay parks and other learning opportunities like farms and outdoor workshops. We are continuing to expand our locations to include a wider variety of opportunities.
IS THE SOLIDARITY SCHOOL A GOOD FIT FOR MY GIFTED CHILD/ CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
Whether EBSS is a good fit for any family depends a lot on your particular circumstances, needs, and goals. In our experience, our programs work best for families and caregivers who are comfortable with learning that ebbs and flows around the interests of the children, and for children who are willing to take part in planning and directing their own learning, and can work without direct instruction or supervision. If you've read over our website and believe your child would thrive in our program, please get in touch.
WHAT AGES DO YOU SERVE?
Right now our group spans 3-12 year olds. Generally this is a program for school aged children who are able to social distance (judge 6 ft distances, wear a mask), but we are experimenting with a preschool pod.
WILL MY CHILD BE THE YOUNGEST/OLDEST/ONLY CHILD OF THEIR AGE?
Maybe. We understand the concern, especially since we've all grown accustomed to schooling that takes place alongside same age peers. However, we believe that mixed-age learning environments offer huge benefits and opportunities for social, emotional, and academic growth. Yes, even if your child happens to be the youngest, oldest, or only one of their age! Here is a wonderful article about the value of mixed-age play, by author Peter Gray.
WILL MY CHILD DEVELOP MATH AND LITERACY SKILLS AT THE SOLIDARITY SCHOOL?
EBSS does not offer a linear approach to education. We work with an emergent learning model, so we do not offer a fixed amount of writing, science and math each day. However, we are always looking for ways to motivate math and literacy skills through child-centered programming (games, puzzles, storytelling, hands on projects, etc). Please see the "our approach" page for more explanation!
THAT'S ALL VERY CUTE, BUT CONSENSUS-BASED CHILDCARE DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK, RIGHT?
We didn't expect collective process with the kids to be easy; we wondered if we bit off more than we could chew, aiming for 2 meetings a day. Looking back now on the Fall, we are pleased to note that, in fact... it's been super easy! Breezy, even!
"Traditional" authoritarian schooling (which is in fact a relatively modern concept) is not the only option, nor is it, in our minds, the best option. We have had great success in empowering children to take responsibility for their decisions and giving them opportunities to learn that are rooted in their interests and lived reality, and we invite you to try it too!