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

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.

Please join us on Thursday, December 10th, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET - 4:30 pm PT for the virtual Sudbury Community Book Club discussion, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety.

In Restoring Childhood, author, researcher, and psychology professor Peter Gray argues that children need something that seems to be missing from modern childhood: the freedom to play, explore, solve problems, and take age-appropriate risks without adults constantly directing them. When we assume children are fragile, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Overprotection leads to increased rates of anxiety and depression in children; but, as Restoring Childhood shows, independence builds children’s confidence, resilience, and emotional strength.

What role do Sudbury schools and SDE play in restoring childhood?

Is our role bigger than being an oasis? How do we actively prepare children for living in a world that devalues play and independence? How do we provide an example of a different approach to schooling? Do we have a responsibility to be more evangelical about our model?

No time to read the book? Here are some suggested short cuts.

Podcasts:

• Lifelong Kindergarten: Peter Gray: The Decline of Play and the Rise of Teen Anxiety

• A Conversation with Dr. Peter Gray About Restoring Childhood, Full-Tilt Parenting with Debbie Reber

Articles:

• An introduction to Peter Gray’s book on Substack

• Causes of Kids' Gradual Loss of Freedom from 1950 to 1990

Ready for a deep dive? Here are some options.

• Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Well-being: Summary of the Evidence

• Societal changes, children’s play, and children’s mental health

Join us for stories, strategies, and Conversation.

VIDEOS

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!