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What is Agile Learning?
A: At Makarios, we facilitate Agile Learning in our educational process. This approach values:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Meaningful learning over the measurement of learning
Responding to change over following a plan
As facilitators, our mentors provide unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision that makes it easier for students to self-direct their learning.
What are the principles of Agile Learning?
A: The Agile Learning Model holds 4 things to be true:
1. Learning - Learning is natural. It’s happening all the time.
2. Self-Direction - People learn best by making their own decisions. Children are people.
3. Experience - People learn more from their culture and environment than from the content they are taught. The medium is the message.
4. Success - Personal growth is achieved through cycles of intention, creation, reflection, and sharing.
In daily practice, we use tools and processes like Spawn Points, Personal Kanban Boards, and Gratitude Circles to provide a balance of structure and freedom for students of all ages. These tools and practices help students learn excellent self-management skills to make the most of their time and achieve their academic and personal goals.
What is the Foundation Program?
A: The Foundation Program gives young students room to learn and practice the basics of freedom and responsibility while their unique interests are cultivated and nurtured under the guidance and oversight of mentors. Families and staff communicate regularly in determining appropriate academic and developmental milestones for each child. The structure and flow of daily activities are designed to promote extended periods of uninterrupted play, so these little ones can get “in the zone.”
What is the Exploration Program?
A: The Exploration Program is dedicated to bringing as much variety and opportunity into kids lives as possible while building the skills to become self-directed learners. These students are gaining independence as they engage in experiences and adventures including field trips, guest speakers, project-based learning, group work, maker spaces, tech workshops, student-led classes, book clubs, community building circle time, and research skills in student areas of interest. Students also spend a great deal of time at play outdoors and with friends, developing their social skills in the context of freedom and responsibility. They are also coming into their own in the life of the school by participating in school assembly and judicial committee meetings. At this stage, students can also participate in developing their own academic curriculum and considering their opportunities for the future. Because this is an age-mixed environment, they learn from watching older students go through this process. They have plenty of time to make decisions and have a clear path to the future.
What is the Direction Program?
High school students at Makarios continue to evolve and enhance their life skills and their academic excellence in a self-directed manner. They are preparing to launch into the adult world and are identifying the skills and abilities that will allow them to pursue the life they want. Students use this time to assess their areas of competence and may choose to take specific tests to gauge their readiness for programs of interest. Students are offered high school level coursework, along with the opportunity to take college prep tests, dual-credit classes, and receive mentoring to create a college or career transition plan that addresses their goals. They also have plenty of time to socialize and participate in the daily activities of the school. This is an excellent time for them to develop leadership skills and serve as role models for younger students.
Students in the Direction Program tend to have the greatest amount of autonomy in their day because they are self-motivated to achieve specific goals. At the beginning of each week, month, semester and year students participate in planning their curriculum utilizes many of the tools and principles of Agile Learning, a methodology that supports cycles of intention, creation, reflection, and sharing for personal growth.
How do students graduate?
A: In their last two years at Makarios, teens implement their own program with the help of their mentors to successfully graduate and earn their diploma. This includes creating and completing a project to demonstrate their competence and maturity or completing dual-credit course work for a traditional transcript diploma. The focus of each student’s uniquely crafted program sets them up for success in what is coming next, whether that is college, career, or entrepreneurship.
Great idea, but what does it look like?
A: At Makarios we…
Create a safe learning environment that allows kids to reach their full potential in academics and personal development
Engage with students one-on-one to support the pursuit of their unique interests and goals
Teach children how to resolve conflict peacefully and act with respect and kindness toward everyone
Integrate family insight with student autonomy to create the optimal school experience
Respect each student’s voice so they learn how to communicate effectively and get their needs met in all areas of life
Provide parents and students with customized support to prepare for future academic and/or entrepreneurial endeavors
Help students become resourceful and successful members of their community
Encourage innovation in education and provide options for families
That looks like happy children, talking with each other and the staff. A group of young students actively engaged in hands-on, fun learning activities. Small groups of multi-age students learning an academic subject they are interested in. A group of children of all ages working together on a cooking project, Robotics, or a performance art piece. Some kids are outside building forts while others are involved in a game of Pokemon. Music emanates from the piano room while cozy reading nooks invite students into quiet spaces. A mentor working with a few students on an academic subject or coaching a student through their individualized diploma process. An exciting educational environment!
What books do you recommend?
A: There are many excellent books available in support of unschooling, hackschooling, self-directed learning and democratic/free schools. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything – by Sir. Ken Robinson
Free At Last: The Sudbury Valley School – by Daniel Greenberg
Like Water: The Extraordinary Approach to Education at Fairhaven School – by Mark McCaig
Learning to Listen: Positive Approaches and People with Difficult Behavior – by Herbert Lovett
Under Pressure: Rescuing our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting – by Carl Honore
After Summerhill: What Happened to the Pupils of Britain’s Most Radical School – by Hussein Lucas
Do they play all day!!??
A: All students are involved in daily learning enrichments that highlight the “3R’s”, reading, writing, and arithmetic using integrated emergent curriculum methods. They also have blocks of uninterrupted free time for creative play and further exploration of individual interests.
“A.S. Neill, founder of the Summerhill School “free school” in England, observed: “Every child under freedom plays most of the time for years” (1960, p.116) and he defined Summerhill as “a school in which play is of the greatest importance” (p.62).
Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life, argues that self-directed learning allows children to learn, grow, and develop naturally and positively.
The Children’s Play Information Service defines play as including “a range of self – chosen activities, undertaken for their own interest, enjoyment and… satisfaction” (Lindon, 2002). ”
Read more from the article “The Courage to Let Them Play” by Kristan Morrison
So students don’t sit in class all day? How do they learn?
A: Students can sit in class all day, but they are also allowed to follow their own interest and learning desires. This motivates and reinforces their self-esteem and confidence by validating who they are. In this environment students are constantly learning by experience. When a person is motivated to learn something, he/she learns it very quickly.
Are you a non-profit and how do we donate?
A: Makarios is a non-profit, 501c3 and we accept all forms of donations. Please visit the Donate to Makarios Community School page to support Dallas/Fort Worth’s first progressive school that is organized according to democratic principles.
What about curriculum?
A: We offer academic subjects in addition to a wide variety of arts and life skills. Mentors support students in their study of a variety of subjects to their desired depth following emergent curriculum methods. We supply materials and manipulatives for math, science, history, foreign languages and language arts. In addition, learning enrichments are led by staff that introduce and reinforce reading, writing and arithmetic skills for younger students through hands-on daily activities and older students receive the academic support they need in pursuit of their next steps. Some of the sources we utilize to identify emergent curriculum are:
Children's interests
Teachers' interests
Developmental tasks
Things in the physical environment
People in the social environment
Traditional curriculum resource materials
Serendipity -- unexpected events; capturing learning opportunities in the moment
Living together: conflict resolution, care-giving, and routines
Values held in the school and community, family, and culture
Ok, but what do they learn???
A: Students learn many valuable things in addition to the academic subjects they choose to pursue. For instance, they learn to speak up for themselves, how to talk to adults and peers calmly, effectively and without fear. Students learn to defend their own and challenge others’ positions. They also learn how to organize themselves, how to lead a group, share power and cooperative decision making. Most importantly students learn about themselves, what their passions and issues are and how they learn best. They learn respect, responsibility and how to manage freedom.
Do your students go to college?
A: Yes! Studies have shown that every single student who attends a progressive, democratic free school and desires to go to college has attended the school of their choice. The next question, is usually how do they get into college?
Most Makarios students choose dual-credit enrollment, earning college credit as they complete their high school diploma. Upon graduating from high school these students are ready to transfer directly to a 4-year college or university to finish earning a bachelors degree. Utilizing their time wisely, these students by-pass the traditional SAT or ACT, opting to take the TSI placement at a local Texas community college to enroll in dual-credit coursework.
“More than 800 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants.” To learn how students from non-traditional schools get into college, check out: FairTest.org.
According to this study conducted by Dr. Peter Grey and Dr. Gina Riley, 83 percent of the children went on to study at a post-secondary institution, including ivy league universities.
Sometimes college isn’t the goal or the path for a student, there is a world of possibilities besides getting a 4-year degree such as the military, volunteering, the arts, or a technical trade.
What is a typical day like?
A: Students arrive on campus between 9 am and 10 am, check in with their program leaders and get settled in for their day. Each program (Foundation, Exploration, and Direction) hosts a morning meeting where students hear about any special visitors or plans for the day and identify what academic and/or self-directed work they will be doing. A noon hour lunch break provides ample time for socializing and refreshing before an afternoon session of clubs, activities and group meetings. Before we leave for the day, students and staff tidy up the school to prepare for the next morning.
Call 682-422-6886 to schedule a tour of our campus and experience Makarios for yourself.
How do they do in college?
A: Again studies have shown that these students do very well in college. By the end of their college career, they are typically among the top students in their class. These students begin their college years more mature, self-confident, and motivated to learn than their peers. They often become mentors to their classmates as they teach others how to manage their new found freedom. These students are in college because they want to learn.
According to KQED – “..they adjusted to the academics fairly easily, quickly picking up skills such as class note-taking or essay composition; and most felt at a distinct advantage due to their high self-motivation and capacity for self-direction.”
These books and articles might interest you:
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything – by Sir. Ken Robinson
The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Child More Control Over Their Lives – by William Stixrud Ph.D. and Ned Johnson
After Summerhill: What Happened to the Pupils of Britain’s Most Radical School? – Hussein Lucas
Legacy of Trust (Life after the Sudbury Valley School Experience)
Is Makarios Community School only for gifted and/or children with learning disabilities?
A: No, our school is for students across the spectrum of learning and development. We believe children have an innate curiosity and drive to learn what interests them. We believe there are no lazy or hopeless students, only students who haven’t found their subject of interest. At Makarios, students learn how to get along with each another, support each another and make decisions cooperatively. Check out these videos to grasp an idea of what a progressive school looks like:
Who are your students?
A: Makarios students are…
Gifted and talented
Accelerated learners
Rambunctious and energetic
Curious and thoughtful
Think “outside the box” and don’t fit in the “mold”
Bored and not reaching their full potential in traditional school
Bullied or isolated in previous school settings
“Labeled” ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum, dyslexia, etc.
At Makarios, we believe that progressive education should be available to all students. As a private school, our affordable tuition funds the day to day activities of the school and our fund raising efforts allow us to offer a financial aid program that allows children from all socio-economic backgrounds to thrive at Makarios.
It seems that only self-motivated students would be successful?
A: Not at all! Responsibility and self-direction are learned through opportunity to practice in an environment that promotes positive peer influence.
How can parents support their children?
A: Parents can support their children best by letting them know they have confidence in them to be able to run their own lives and learn to make good decisions. It does take practice for the parents to learn to trust their children in the process to balancing freedom with responsibility, but it is a proven way for children to become trustworthy. Parent support meetings are an important part of the school, providing parents with a framework for intersecting a students’ home, school, and private life.
How do students learn to make good decisions?
A: Practice! All people learn best from having direct experience of the results of their actions and the confidence to know that they can do better. The school is a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. Here, students get plenty of opportunities to make decisions and calmly discuss the results.
How are decisions made?
A: Students and staff participate in weekly meetings where the administrative functions of the school are managed. The monthly budget, calendar, and management manual are reviewed at each meeting, chaired by a student. Staffing decisions are made by the administration upon affirmation of students and staff of a potential candidate.
How are conflicts resolved?
A: We have a 1-2-3 Conflict Resolution model. First, the offended party attempts to resolve the issue with the offender. If they are unable to come to resolution, the second step ensues: a mediator (staff or student member) attempts to help both parties through the conflict. If they are unable to work through the conflict, the offended may then write a complaint that will be reviewed by Judicial Committee for resolution. The Judicial Committee (JC) is composed of one staff and two students and meets everyday to review any open cases. The JC hears from both the plaintiff and defendant and works to help all participants learn to following the rules and guidelines of the Management Manual. First infractions receive a reminder, second infractions a warning with a consequence noted if the offense is repeated. On the third infraction, the defendant will receive a consequence related to the offense.
Is there research to support this model?
A: The Summerhill School has graduated many students over the last several decades that are engaged in meaningful, sustainable work and careers. You can read about some of the students in “After Summerhill: What Happened to the Pupils of Britain’s Most Radical School?” by Hussein Lucas.
There are many articles and videos in support of this progressive model of education. Here are a few to check out:
Progressive Education – by Alfie Kohn
Psychology Today Freedom to Learn – blog by Dr. Peter Gray
Democratic Schooling: What Happens to Young People Who Have Charge of Their Own Education – Published Research by Peter Gray and David Chanoff
Educational Paradigm Change – Sir Ken Robinson (video)
The Decline of Play – Ted Talk – Dr. Peter Gray (video)
The Child-Driven Education – Ted Talk – Sugata Mitra (video)
Where can we learn more about alternative, progressive, self-directed education, and emergent curriculum?
A: Checkout the following resources...
AERO: Alternative Education Resource Organization. This organization offers a plethora of information, resources and a listing of alternative schools around the world.
The Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to informing people about the benefits of, and methods for, allowing children and adolescents to direct their own education. The Alliance’s ultimate goal, its vision, is a world in which Self-Directed Education (SDE) is embraced as a cultural norm and is available to all children, everywhere, regardless of their family’s status, race, or income.
Emergent Curriculum is a construct of Reggio Emilia, a world-renown preschool preschool program founded by Loris Malaguzzi. According to Wikipedia, “the Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It is a pedagogy described as student-centered and constructivist that utilizes self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments.”
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