The opportunity for students to pursue their personal passions is supported by the democratic governance of the school. Structures, policies and rules are created to balance the needs of individuals with the needs of the community as a whole. Students, staff and parents work together to create and maintain an environment based on mutual respect.
At the beginning of the year School holds elections. About twenty people are elected to work in School Council. Judicial Committee requires tree teachers and four students. There is always a numeral superiority of students in both bodies. Students receive a right to vote in 5 th grade and a right to propose themselves as candidates in 6 th .
Yet another crucial aspect of school governance is the rule of law . The school has a written Law book called “I have a right” that was created (and still being created) completely by students. The rules apply to staff members as well as to students.
School Meeting
The principal authority is School Meeting that consists of all members of the school community: students form 6 th grade and all teachers. School Meeting is called once or twice a year to discuss the results of the School Council's work. But everybody has a right to call School meeting. And students enjoy the right. The decision that was made on School Meeting is not to change by either the administration or headmaster. School Meeting also has a right to interpose a veto on the administration or headmaster's decision.
Mediation processes are used when individuals need assistance to resolve interpersonal conflicts. Two formal structures, School Council, govern the daily life of the community. Parents may also become involved in democratic structure through the school Council.
As a practical matter, students greatly outnumber the staff. This really keeps the staff on its toes. Any staff member wishing to promote a particular scheme has to have his facts and arguments carefully honed to convince a majority of those present and voting, most of whom are usually students
School Council
The daily affairs of the school are managed by the weekly School Council, at which each currently enrolled student, staff member and parent has one vote. Rules of behavior, use of facilities, expenditures, taking in newcomers, and all the routines of running an institution are determined by debate and vote.
School Council governs the daily life of the community. Meetings are held weekly and all day-to-day decisions made in School Council must be followed by all members of the school.
School Council is the decision-making power at the school.
The issues brought to School Council range from the mundane to the profound. The agenda may include decisions about arranging dancing parties, allocation of funds spent on holidays and policies governing school activities.
All school rules are created and changed in School Meeting. No one individual or committee can make decisions about how the school operates, unless the School Meeting first grants them that authority. There is no director, no head teacher, nor an administrator with veto power. Just School Meeting can veto School Council's decisions. School Council is the decision-making power at the school.
At the School Meeting students and staff learn how to get things done, how to present ideas clearly and convincingly, and how to rally a supportive group to lobby for a cause. The skills gained through observing and participating in School Council is long-lasting and immediately applicable in the outside community.
School Meeting decisions reflect the values and priorities of the community as a whole.
Judicial Committee
The purpose of the Judicial Committee is to protect the rights of the community and the privileges to enjoy the freedom of the school. It handles day-to-day complaints about rules being broken.
Judicial Committee, consisting of enrolled students and staff members, meets on the occasion when a complaint has been submitted to decide what actions should be taken.
We follow "due process" — investigating each complaint to determine what happened and whether rules have been broken. When rules have been violated, we work with the people involved to decide on fair and effective solutions. Judicial Committee actions include conducting mediations, explaining rules, issuing warnings and determining actions that will help change problematic behaviors.
At times we may discover that rules are ineffective or outdated and suggest changes in rules to the School Meeting.