I like to consider myself a free thinker. In the last six years, while completing my undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of education, I have continuously pondered early childhood settings. The ultimate question guiding my reflections and critiques, has been: which educational philosophy is truly best? Sure, this question is not as simplistic or straightforward as I’ve made it out to be, which is why I still have no answer. Ultimately, selecting an appropriate school environment for children is a decision that should be made by families, based on their individual children’s personalities, strengths, and needs. But no one can deny that as a society, our modern children seem to share several collective characteristics… An increase in children’s restlessness, homework, testing, learning disabilities, violent play, negative behaviors, and attitude, have been commonly observed by disgruntled parents and teachers alike… Could selecting a school setting that differs from the ‘norm’ be a solution in reducing such negative traits?
The goal of this blog is to share information on the Summerhill approach, which has been defined as radical schooling. In order to provide concrete examples as I present information on the driving philosophies behind such a movement, I will focus on a couple of schools that endorse and practice the ideals originally set forth by Sutherland in 1921. Teachers and students who attend such schools will be interviewed and their responses will be summarized and reflected upon. Finally, my own personal appreciation and critique on the philosophy and “curriculum” of the Summerhill approach to education will be revealed.
So, in closing for today, I wish us happy travels to a land that differs so greatly from what we consider to be “school”… 
Thank you for traveling with me – I look forward to our journey!
