Sudbury schools are run by a participatory democracy. Each student and each staff has equal representation and an equal vote in the weekly School Meeting. This meeting makes all of the day-to-day decisions necessary to run the school. It is run like a town hall meeting. All the policies and procedures of the school, including rules of behavior, use of resources and staff hiring are determined by debate and vote at the School Meeting. There is no principal, no higher authority, and no veto power. Everyone (students and staff) has an opportunity to vote and all votes are counted equally.

The school's laws and rules are upheld by the Judicial Committee or JC.  This body consists of students and staff. Students and staff have equal democratic access to draft and amend rules, take part in supporting those rules and share in the administrating of conflict resolution and judicial processes. The JC meets regularly to address disputes and respond to breeches of the law.  When a school rule is violated or perceived to be violated, the charges are written up and presented to the JC by the affected student, staff or volunteer for investigation and, if necessary, charges and sentences. Participation on the Committee is voluntary and open to all students regardless of age. 

These two functions together distinguish our approach to helping students learn to take responsibility for their actions and understand their potential to meaningfully contribute to a community.