Do you respect the autonomy, ideas, and identity of young people? Here are ways to volunteer or help Saint Louis Sudbury School!

Share your skills, knowledge, or interests (no formal training required) with students in workshops or classes
Students at Saint Louis Sudbury School practice Self-Directed Education, meaning they have the freedom to pursue their interests without compulsory curriculum. Though much of the learning at Sudbury is play-based and spontaneous, the students can request and plan classes or more structured educational experiences. At times, instructors or specialists in a particular skill or topic come to Sudbury (or invite Sudbury students and staff to their studio or workplace) to share their skills. Sometimes we can offer a small honorarium, but many people donate their time.

Volunteer at Sudbury during the school day (open 9 am to 3:30 pm)
Regular volunteers at Sudbury share their interests, ability to connect with others, and modeling of life-long learning. They are a welcoming and approachable presence for our students and model healthy communication skills. Volunteers at Sudbury act as resource guides or facilitators. Through observation, trust, and conversations with students, they often notice children’s interests and offer help or suggestions when asked by a student. Volunteers also are familiar with the school’s rules and policies and can assist students with the Judicial Committee process.

We have volunteers who come in one afternoon a week, a full day once a week, and some, come in for 3 hours a few times a week (we are flexible on scheduling). If you are interested in becoming a regular volunteer, you would: read The Sudbury Valley School Experience book and listen to Alpine Valley School podcasts to begin to learn about the Sudbury school model and arrange a time for a student led interview and tour of Saint Louis Sudbury School by emailing info@stlsudbury.org. If the hiring committee wants to proceed, you will be invited to visit Sudbury on two separate days. After those two days, if you and Sudbury are both interested in moving forward with the volunteering arrangement, it would brought to School Meeting to be voted on by the students and staff. If the motion passes, Sudbury would arrange for a background check and confirm your volunteering schedule. During your first month as a volunteer, you will learn about Judicial Committee, get to know students and staff, rules, and policies, learn about confidentiality at Sudbury, experience School Meeting, and (if applicable) learn about strategies to navigate being a volunteer at school while having a child enrolled at Sudbury (i.e. treating your child like any other student at Sudbury). At the end of your first month, you can choose to or not continue as a volunteer. School Meeting can hire you as a permanent volunteer, choose to offer feedback, and/or vote to not keep you on as a Sudbury volunteer at this time.

Help with administrative tasks—some of which could be done from home.
We are currently looking for assistance with legal, marketing, public relations, and fundraising for the school.

Donate items
Do you have art supplies, games, books, objects to tinker with, plants, a DVD player, music, movies, toys, sewing materials, building kits, fitness equipment, unused gift cards, and more to donate? We welcome item donations!

Please contact us at info@stlsudbury.org to learn more. Thank you for your support!