“A parent’s dream for their children is to see them happy, confident and thoughtful of others, and that’s what I see happening.”

“[Our son] loves going to school—he’d rather be at school than anywhere else. He insists on going 5 days each week and likes to start as early in the day as possible and to stay until 5:00…Vacations are no longer a treat!”

“With the self-imposed structure, freedom and responsibility, about the worst thing that can happen to our child is that he graduates happy and well-adjusted. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”

“We have a closer family; there’s more listening and understanding. We get along much better, talk to each other more and do things together much more often. What a change!”

“I am very impressed and delighted by the sense of trust and caring that is immediately evident, and how the students and the staff seem to flow together.”

“[My children] are more likely to say what they do and don’t like in social settings…and they are beginning to initiate changes they want to make.”

“[My daughter] has learned the value of planning and the usefulness of dialogue.”

“[My son] is once again [himself]. His self-esteem is soaring. He doesn’t need to fit into any one group because the Sudbury school is a group unto itself. So he is learning about himself and learning about community and responsibility.”

“I have discovered freedom from homework, grades, tests, trophies, awards, others’ expectations of what my children need to learn, and rigid schedules that put a strain on family life.”

“[Our son] will call us on our ‘stuff’ more. We sometimes have to be accountable for unexplained bursts of authority.”

“No more morning fights, homework wars, faking sick. We are able to talk more seriously about things, because I don’t have to hassle him about his school performance or pressure him to behave in ways that even I don’t believe in, just to make the grade.”

“[He] easily engages in conversation with adults and older children. His ability to integrate into almost any social situation is remarkable.”

“Friends have said that [my son] is more responsive, helpful, and engages in personal interaction more than he used to.”

“[Our son] really enjoys life now—and he didn’t before! Life holds more interest and meaning. He’s less angry—much less—and more positive. He’s much more aware, curious, cooperative and mature.”

“[Our son’s] confidence level has gone up considerably. He is breaking out of his shell. He stands up for himself.”

“My greatest joy is the surprising maturity, respect and thoughtfulness [my daughter] displays outside the school, especially at home.”

“[My son] has stated that this is the best thing I could ever have done for him.”