What do we really want for our children? For them to be happy, confident, and prepared for the future. For our family, finding the right fit wasn’t just about checking off boxes. It was about finding a place where joy and growth could flourish hand in hand.
When we discovered The Circle School (in our own backyard no less), we were drawn by its promise of happiness. But we quickly realized there was so much more to this community than we could have imagined.
Like many families, we wanted our child to feel genuinely happy at school—a happiness that comes from the freedom to be themselves. Traditional schooling, with its rigid schedules and standardized measures of success, didn’t seem to fit. We wanted something different: a place where learning could feel like a natural, joyful process.
The Circle School seemed like the answer. A self-directed approach, a democratic community, and students empowered to shape their own days. It sounded like the perfect recipe for happiness. And it was. From the very first day, our child came home beaming. But as the weeks went on, we realized happiness was only the beginning.
What started as a parent’s journey to find the best place for their child became something much larger. The more I observed my child’s transformation, the more I saw the value of The Circle School’s approach—not just for students, but for the broader community.
As I sat in the drop-off lane, I often found myself imagining how different my school years might have been if I had experienced The Circle School’s unique approach to learning. Drawn deeply to the school’s mission and philosophy, I knew I wanted to be more than just a parent—I felt compelled to take an active role in this extraordinary community.
This year I joined The Circle School staff, allowing me to support and guide students in the same ways that impacted my child’s growth. It’s been a privilege to help foster an environment where young people thrive—not because they’re being pushed, but because they’re genuinely inspired.
The transition to being a staff member has deepened my appreciation for what The Circle School offers: not just an education, but a way of living and learning that benefits everyone involved.
One of the most remarkable aspects of self-directed education is watching children learn without formal lessons or prompts. Reading unfolds organically, driven by a child’s curiosity and need to engage with the world around them. Whether it’s deciphering rules for a new game, diving into a captivating story, or writing out a Field Trip Checklist, reading becomes a tool rather than a chore.
The growth doesn’t stop there. As students transition from tweens to teens, their skills deepen in ways that reflect their unique interests. A tween engrossed in comic books might evolve into a teen crafting intricate fantasy novels, or a student fascinated by science might delve into a STEM project. The learning is seamless, guided by passion and purpose rather than external pressures.
Choosing The Circle School has been transformative for our family. Our child is happy and growing into a thoughtful, capable, and compassionate individual.