I Can Do What I Want

Students at self-directed democratic schools like Alpine Valley School and others, have significant freedom. In many ways they can “do what they want” all day long. However, that freedom must be balanced with responsibility - a concept that founder and staff member Larry Welshon discusses in this engaging talk. This speech was originally given at a sister school, Glacier Lake in Montana, as part of their recent fundraising efforts, and it covers a lot of ground. Find out by what age most kids have dropped out of school, how Larry first discovered the alternative schooling movement, and more on this episode of the Alpine Valley School podcast.

Want more? 

• Support our friends at Glacier Lake School in Montana.

• Watch the original video this talk came from.

• Read a related blog post: Freedom Does Not Mean Doing Whatever You Want

• Watch a video interview with Sudbury Valley School co-founder Mimsy Sadofsky (who is mentioned in Larry’s talk)

• Listen to a former student talk about how freedom shaped her life as a young person.

• Send us your questions, suggestions, and feedback at [email protected] 

This episode is also available in video format on YouTube.