A New Approach with Thoreau: A School in the Woods of Vermont

Did you know there are modern-day schools that use Henry David Thoreau as models for their educational philosophies? Even in the day where Bill Gates wants to equip all schools with the latest technology to help bridge the gap between the rich and poor, Henry David Thoreau can still be an inspiration.

In the small town of Vergennes, Vermont, there is something called The Walden Project? It is not a school as most of us think of schools. It is a community of 19 students and two teachers. They opened this school at least 3 days a week outside. There is not even an actual school facility. Obviously it is nature-based education, but it is also a place-based education, which means education grounded in the unique history, environment, culture, economy, literature and art of a particular place. A former teacher stated this as a vision of authentic, student-directed learning based in nature. The school consists of 230 acres ringed by the Green Mountains.

The model itself comes from Henry David Thoreau who left life in Concord, Massachusetts, to live on the banks of Walden Pond. There are other schools that are nature-based, but apparently none so rooted in the ideas of Thoreau.

Students can choose as a sophomore through senior to be involved in the Walden Project and for how long. The Walden Project emphasizes environmental science and literature as well as thinking for themselves. If students want or need upper level math, physics, or chemistry, they must either return to the high school or go to the community college.

So what does education look like here? Students ride a bus and walk down a slope to a campfire around which many classes take place. There are daily readings of materials with vigorous discussions. Students toss out current events and talk about them. the author points out that sitting in a circle, there is really no room to hide or sit silently. If students need a break, they walk away. The structure of the school day is completely different. There is no slacking, no hiding in the back of the classroom for students. Students invent their own projects and track their own progress with portfolios.

Teachers say that science and writing are combined with self-direction and love of learning. Supposedly 80-90% of these kids go to college, which is even better than the regular high school. Their day ends with world religions as they sit around the fire and discuss concepts. They eat around the fire, wash their mugs, and hang them from tree branches until tomorrow.

What is really funny is that this is called an innovative approach to the learning process, but the concept is over one hundred years old. This method seems to me that it would be popular again as with the recent "greening" of America. I find it intriguing.