Parents may be surprised at the self-confidence their children develop after coming to MLSS. Because we are a small school, children have a greater opportunity to serve as leaders in many areas. We have observed students who were initially very shy “blossom” and become leaders of the School Meeting or other groups. While each child is different, most students who spend time at MLSS learn to communicate with others, develop creative problem solving, set their own goals, and express their ideas in ways that far surpass their early efforts. When visiting university classes to describe our school, graduate students repeatedly remark upon our students’ ability to communicate with adults in a forthright and confident manner.
In addition to self-confidence, students learn two valuable life skills. First, through taking responsibility for their learning, children at MLSS become accustomed to turning their interests into purposes. They then learn to pursue their own goals, overcoming obstacles and deepening their knowledge of their freely chosen areas of interest. Areas of interest have ranged from science to the arts, from music to welding, from writing to medicine. A preformulated, standardized curriculum is not provided for students at MLSS. Students create their own activities and interact with others as they see fit. This experience in taking responsibility for their own learning gives students the ability to create their own lives.
A second skill our students develop is figuring things out when they don’t know. Being willing to make mistakes and learn from them is critical to healthy growth. Developing into life long learners is more than a slogan at our school. Students may not know specific facts in an interest area, but they are able to find out. Even more important, they are not afraid to admit they don’t know and do not hesitate to pursue any information they need or want.
In addition to self-confidence, students learn two valuable life skills. First, through taking responsibility for their learning, children at MLSS become accustomed to turning their interests into purposes. They then learn to pursue their own goals, overcoming obstacles and deepening their knowledge of their freely chosen areas of interest. Areas of interest have ranged from science to the arts, from music to welding, from writing to medicine. A preformulated, standardized curriculum is not provided for students at MLSS. Students create their own activities and interact with others as they see fit. This experience in taking responsibility for their own learning gives students the ability to create their own lives.
A second skill our students develop is figuring things out when they don’t know. Being willing to make mistakes and learn from them is critical to healthy growth. Developing into life long learners is more than a slogan at our school. Students may not know specific facts in an interest area, but they are able to find out. Even more important, they are not afraid to admit they don’t know and do not hesitate to pursue any information they need or want.
