Sudbury International is a network that connects and supports schools inspired by the Sudbury Valley School model—a model that has been around for over half a century and has been interpreted in many different ways across the world. The organization is not a franchise, an accrediting body, or a rulebook. Sudbury International provides a space for Sudbury schools to collaborate, a platform to share the many ways people practice self-directed education, and resources and support for those exploring Sudbury learning.

SUDBURY COMMUNITY VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

NEW! Discover global connections. Join a vibrant community of friends, families, alumni, students, and staff from Sudbury schools worldwide. Explore diverse perspectives on educational philosophy and practice through multimedia resources.

The Sudbury Community Book Club is an initiative by Sudbury International designed to foster connection and community among the global network of Sudbury schools. This multimedia book club brings together friends, families, alumni, students, and staff from Sudbury schools worldwide to explore books, articles, podcasts, and videos that deepen understanding of self-directed, democratic education and build bridges across our diverse learning communities.

The book club embodies Sudbury International's mission of connecting and supporting schools and learning centers, providing both a platform for sharing experiences and a resource for those exploring the transformative potential of Sudbury learning.

October Book Club: Unlocking Explorer Mode

Please join us on October 2nd at 7:30 pm ET - 4:30 pm PT for our inaugural Sudbury Community Book Club discussion. Register here.

This month we will talk about what it takes to unlock explorer mode in our children. Our primary reading to support this discussion is the 2025 book by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better. In many ways Sudbury schools are an answer to the school engagement crisis. Sudbury schools prioritize student agency and autonomy. Is that enough to grow curious, engaged, and resilient young people who feel empowered to explore, discover, and create? Or are they like the “free range” chickens whose doors are opened 8 hours a day but who are afraid to step outside? What can we do in school and at home to help our students be engaged, curious, and resilient explorers of the world? Join us for this free, informal discussion among families interested in Self-Directed Education, Sudbury model schools, and reimagining what learning can look like!

Note: Didn't finish the book? Registering last minute and didn't start the book yet? Suggested articles and podcasts for brief insights into The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better; Feel Better; and Live Better are listed on the Sudbury International web site.

WEBINARS

Enjoy this roundtable discussion with graduates from four different Sudbury schools as they share their experiences, insights, and how self-directed learning has impacted their lives. Hear firsthand how Sudbury alumni navigate higher education, careers, and personal growth—without traditional grades, tests, or a set curriculum.

The event features an introduction by Dr. Peter Gray, research professor at Boston College and author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.

Watch Sudbury International’s recent webinar about community and autonomy in school featuring:

Cassi Clausen from The Open School in California, USA
Menahem Goren representing Sudbury schools in Israel
Daniel Merino from Udesya in Mexico
Christen Parker-Yarnal from The Miami Sudbury School, USA
Ellen Goode from WyldFlower Learning Center, USA
Je'anna Clements from Riverstone Village, South Africa

Blog Posts

Be sure to check out Sudbury International’s blog posts covering different aspects of the Sudbury School model, personal experiences with the approach to learning, democracy in Sudbury schools, the role of curiosity, what is learning, the role of conflict resolution, and much more!