 Located in Summertown, Tennessee (about an hour and a half
South-Southwest of Nashville), The Farm School has been serving The Farm Community and
selected students from outside the community since 1971. Established as
a one-room school, we are now housed in a beautiful passive solar
building serving grades K - 12.
 VisionThe Farm School is an educational resource center and hub of activity making the knowledge and physical resources of The Farm and The Farm School virtual community available to an international community of lifelong learners. MissionThe Farm School seeks to support diverse individuals actualizing our unique potentials as we work and play toward personal, community and planetary wellbeing. Educational PhilosophyThe philosophy of The Farm School begins with the belief that all kids have a natural desire to learn and grow, and that all aspects of life are considered a part of a person’s education. The students are allowed to pursue their areas of interest, in a relaxed setting of encouragement and with a variety of resources. We use cooperation, not competition as a model. Intimidation and authoritarian means of implementing school programs are not part of the agenda so students have the freedom to be who they are without interference or judgment. We believe knowledge of one’s self, honesty and tolerance are as important a part of a child’s education as academics. Organizational Structure
The Farm School is a consensus-democratic school. We attempt to achieve consensus on all shared decisions and use voting to make decisions when this seems like the most peaceful path to a decision. We make decisions about the daily functioning of the school during school meetings where students and teachers each have equal voice. Our Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) makes decisions about the daily functioning of the school that require the input of parents. We make decisions specific to individual students during triadic meetings that include a student, her/his advisor and a family member. Our school board is accountable for the functioning of the school as a business entity (non-profit corporation). We entrust our Principal to make recommendations about how to achieve our mission and to make time sensitive decisions on our behalf.  Sounds like a nice school huh? Well it really is! We take very seriously the
importance of the values that our kids need in order to become whole, caring
adults.A few years ago it was thought that maybe the time was coming when we would
have to close the school since most of the community’s kids have grown-up,
but we once again have young children and we see potential for more.Many of
us look forward to the time when our own grandchildren will
attend this school.
The Farm School is a member of the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools
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The Farm School
a learning community
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Farm School |