Homeschool Neighbors
Arts & Ideas Sudbury School is a democratic school for children ages 5-18, where the core principles are trust, autonomy, justice, and learning through play. With a daily schedule left up to each student to decide for themselves, students at A&I are free to learn, explore, and reflect at their own pace in a way that works best for them.
Homeschool Neighbors is a program for students enrolled in a homeschool umbrella who would like to experience the Arts & Ideas community on a part-time basis.
Who the program is for
- Ages: 5-18
- Families aligned with unschooling, life learning, or self-directed education
- Students seeking social opportunities, independence, and experiential learning
- Homeschool families looking for independent, self-directed play
- Families interested in joining a community, but looking for part-time options
- Families curious about a Sudbury education or democratic schools
At a glance
Here's a comparison of the part-time Homeschool Neighbors program to being a full-time student (School Meeting Member).
| Program aspect | Neighbor | School Meeting Member |
|---|---|---|
| Days per week | 1, 2 or 3 days | 5 days |
| Hours | The school building is open 8:15 AM to 5:45 PM | The school building is open 8:15 AM to 5:45 PM; core hours are 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; a minimum of 5 hours is a full day of attendance |
| Tuition | $1,500 per semester per weekly day attended | See Tuition |
| Self-directed education | Yes | Yes |
| Consistent community | Yes | Yes |
| Social and emotional growth | Yes | Yes |
| Field trips | Yes | Yes |
| Age mixing | Yes | Yes |
| Democratic meetings | Observer | Participant |
| Diploma | No | Yes |
| Tuition adjustment | Fixed | Possible; see Tuition |
| 16+ Flex Time (a more flexible schedule for students 16+) | No | Yes |
Schedule
- Neighbors pick one to three days a week on which they will visit weekly.
- Neighbors get four floating days per semester for special events, field trips, or other happenings on a day that isn't part of their regular schedule.
- Fall semester starts after the first week of school and ends the week before spring semester.
- Spring semester starts the week of February 1st and goes through the end of school.
- The school building is open 8:15 AM to 5:45 PM, with meetings happening between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Admissions process
- Tour the school and sit down with the Admissions Clerks.
- Schedule and complete five trial days ($80/day).
- Identify your regularly scheduled attendance days and sign an enrollment agreement.
Enrollment is available year-round except within the final two months of the school year. There are limited spots per day.
Cost
$1,500 per semester per weekly day attended, paid after completing the five trial days.
