Philosophy
All Members are Equal
Members of the Sudbury Community include students (aged 6 to 18) and staff (adults). All members are considered equal, with the same rights and responsibilities. For instance, both students and staff have equal speaking and voting rights in School Meetings. Additionally, in the judicial process, all members, including staff, can be held accountable for violating the school laws.
The meaning of all members being equal is that, although staff have their responsibilities and their roles differ from those of students, they treat students as equal individuals and respect them.
Self-Directed Learning
Students are free to pursue their own interests as long as they do not infringe on others’ rights or violate personal boundaries. There is no fixed curriculum. If children want to learn a specific subject or skill, they are responsible for initiating the process, asking staff members for help, and deciding on their learning schedule. Staff members are available to assist whenever asked.
We give equal status to all initiatives and areas of knowledge. Through each project, students acquire valuable skills that will benefit them throughout life. They can focus on their interests without time limits. We place complete trust in each individual’s self-regulatory capacity, and it is their responsibility to choose how to manage their time. We believe that learning occurs all the time.
Self-Evaluation
There are no tests, exams, grades, or any other external measures imposed to evaluate children’s learning. Each person is the best judge of their own efforts.
Staff members serve as helpers for students, not judges. Students are more likely to seek help from staff members if they do not feel evaluated. If desired, they can ask others for constructive criticism, comments, or advice to improve their work.
Age Mixing
Hong Kong Sudbury accepts students aged 6 to 18 years. Children of different ages interact freely on campus, with no classrooms separating them by age. They play with and learn from one another. Students often gather together based on their interests, such as a 6-year-old practicing gymnastics with a 12-year-old, or an 8-year-old playing video games with a 16-year-old and a staff member.
School Meeting
Decisions within the community are made through a system of direct democracy and representative committees. All aspects of the community’s internal operations are determined by the School Meeting, where each student and staff member has an equal vote. Everyone discusses and decides on various matters, such as proposing and modifying school rules, adding campus facilities, budgeting, outing activities, establishing committees, and electing staff members for various positions within the school. All members of the School Meeting (students and staff) are subject to the rules and obligations established by a majority vote. This means there is no principal in Hong Kong Sudbury, and it is run by all members of the school.
Judicial Committee
The Judicial Committee (JC) meets daily. It includes two students and one staff member (sometimes three students and two staff member). Its purpose is to resolve conflicts within the community. The JC investigates written complaints concerning possible violations of community rules and ensures that due process is followed. The JC is a vital system in a Sudbury community, protecting the freedom of each school member so that all can learn and enjoy their time together. Every member is required to take turns serving as a jury member of the Judicial Committee.
The judicial system is just one way to resolve disputes; students can also address issues through private communication, daily meetings, and other means.
