Diablo Valley School

Diablo Valley School (DVS) in Concord, California – established in 1997 – is uniquely adapted to the real demands of the world, on the forefront of the educational philosophy of trusting the student. DVS is a Sudbury School, based on the model of Sudbury Valley School established in Massachusetts and operating since 1968 The philosophy is based on children naturally wanting to learn the skills needed to grow into capable adults. And just like grownups, they want to be free to choose how they will become successful. Diablo Valley School takes this natural desire for self-direction seriously, allowing it to propel children into independent adulthood. Given the freedom to pursue their interests for as long as the interest lasts, and the structure to ensure their activities are neither infringed upon nor infringe on the rights of others, children learn what they need. The freedom to choose how one will spend one's time every day, coupled with the obligation to fulfill one's duties as a member of the community, builds personal responsibility and citizenship. Because the school is run as a participatory democracy, students prepare themselves to function as responsible members of the larger society in the United States. They learn about democracy by being 100% immersed in it every day at school.