Kia Springer is a parent, volunteer, and board member of Saint Louis Sudbury School. We asked her a few questions about why her family chose Sudbury, how her kids have changed since being at Sudbury, what students learn, and more. We appreciate Kia and her family so much!
How long has your family been a part of Saint Louis Sudbury School?
My two children have been at Sudbury for about a year and a half.
There are many education options in the St. Louis region, why did you choose Sudbury?
We started to look for my son’s next step as far as a school. His school really went downhill unfortunately during the pandemic, as many did trying to navigate that. We gave my daughter the same option to look for a different learning environment as her school was starting to give her anxiety with the pandemic restrictions. We wanted to look for a different educational model than we where previously in. After looking at a few places, both children independently choose Sudbury for themselves.
What kinds of changes have you seen in your children since starting at Sudbury?
I have seen changes in my oldest child in the most positive way. He would make himself actually throw up when we pulled up to his old school so he could go home. They would punish him and take away critical social time if things were not handed in. He loves the freedom he feels at Sudbury and the ability to be present and part of meetings when he wants to. He was not interested in attending any meetings at his prior school. He finally feels safe and cared for at Sudbury. With my daughter at Sudbury as well, I have seen her come into her own, stand up for what she wants, sets boundaries, asks for things that are uncomfortable and make friendships in a pure non judgmental way.
Do you feel like you have changed as well?
I feel like I have changed in the way that my kids are finally comfortable and happy in a school so I am happy. I have always been unsure of the traditional school model knowing all children are different. And if you don’t fit in that traditional box, then you struggle. So having a learning environment that my kids are actively involved in, makes me want to be involved as well.
How would you describe Saint Louis Sudbury School to a friend?
I always say Sudbury is self directed learning. Then I emphasize that once again! At Sudbury, the kids are really in charge of their time, wants, need, finances, food, and friends. Being in a self-governing democratic model at a school is also very new and exciting. I love how the children start at a young age speaking up for themselves in what they want and why to their peers. It’s the most community based school I’ve experienced due to no separation of age and where you are academically.
Many people who haven't experienced the Sudbury community, ask how kids at Sudbury will ever learn anything or how they will go to college. How might you respond?
They are learning everyday. With everything they do. Right choices vs. wrong choices, time management, budgeting, what they want and don’t want, social skills, when to rest and when to push it, how to advocate for themselves, and how to run a school. For me, I couldn’t ask for better things to learn for my children. As far as college goes, there is never any security that if you go, you will be successful. In fact some very successful people didn’t go to college. If kids at Sudbury want and choose to apply to college, the Sudbury community can help prepare the students.
When adults first hear about the Sudbury model, they often say, "I wish I had a school like that when I was growing up." Why do you think they say that?
I wish I had a school like this! Many of my friends I explain the model too feel the same way. I think that most of us have been through the classic educational model, it didn’t work for us, and many of us have major trauma from it. It helped us create unfortunately fears, anxiety, depression, self-worth questions, and more… and no one likes those feelings. What we would give to feel free and safe, learn what we what to learn, be social and eat when we want, feel safe and loved and supported. That’s how all children should feel.