Looking for partners to found a democratic, progressive, non-profit K-8 private school

Submitted by Substantial-Wrap8634 t3_123vj5m in newhampshire

Hi all! As I move towards opening my school - Pathlight Academy - a democratic, student driven non-profit K-8 private school, I am currently in need of at least 2 founding partners. The school is intended to be in or around Deerfield, NH

I am looking for people who have a passion for creativity, inclusivity, and student and educator empowerment. As I am starting something new, an equal partnership means that you will have the ability to work on a team to create a school you believe in - to see your visions become reality!

Specifically, I am looking for someone with an education background, and someone with a business background, but if you feel a spark of excitement at the idea of founding a unique progressive school, please get in touch with me and we can talk about how you can get involved!

Right now, the demand would be very part time, and payment can be discussed. If you have interest, please reach out as soon as possible, and I can give you a job description and information on the starting vision for the school.

If you know anyone else who might be interested in this unique opportunity, please pass this information along! Thank you in advance for any help and support you might be able to provide!

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wheeelchairassassins t1_jdwop32 wrote

Private and charter schools are the reason for public education quality decline. Be an advocate for better curriculum for the families that can't afford private school instead of sapping away more money from the state for more bullshit politically founded schools. **I am a democratic socialist, not a republican, and a serious progressive and my entire issue with our education is this idea of if you don't like what they teach, go somewhere that let's you teach anything with minimal regulations because it is"private".

Invest in our schools we already have, change the curriculum there, change minds there instead of making money grabs for places that teach only what you think they should.

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Substantial-Wrap8634 OP t1_jdx5in0 wrote

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I would like to go through and address your concerns to the best of my ability.

  1. Private and charter schools are the reason for public education quality decline- First, charter schools are public schools. They are free to the students living in the district in which they are located. Limits to acceptance in a charter school is based on fit and available space. Charter schools are born out of the push to make public education better.

Private schools make public schools worse if the school district or town decides to provide education vouchers/school choice. These options allow parents to take their tax money out of the public school and supplement that with their own funds to send their kids wherever they send them. I am aware of this and would like to do some more thought and research around how to address this issue when accepting students into my school.

However, without vouchers, sending a child to private school actually improves the financial standing of a school district. If I send my child/children to a private school, my tax dollars stay with the public school. Now there’s the same amount of money divided among less children.

  1. “Politically founded” - thank you for saying that because it’s brought more attention to how I put out information. For the record “progressive education” is “an educational movement that gives more value to experience than formal learning”, it has nothing to do with the progressive left. A democratic school indicates how the school is run, not a political ideology. The school is run by the students, teachers, parents, admins, and surrounding community voting on the decisions relating to how the school is run. It is not at all a political affiliation.

  2. Advocate for public school change- I have, a lot. And, it sounds like you have found success in moving the ball forward, and I commend you and appreciate you for that. I, however, am obviously not as effective or strong as you are, and so I hit my head on the brick wall that is bureaucracy enough that I had to tap out. I am glad there are people like you out there doing the work, because all education is important. I had to find a different way to make change.

  3. “Money Grab” - this will be started as a 501c3 non-profit. There is no money grab. In fact, I have a distinct feeling that this will cost me far more money that I ever draw as a paycheck in the future. Also, part of the reason it is a non-profit is so that I can get grant funding to drastically reduce or eliminate tuition for folks that typically cannot afford private school. I think the lack of diversity and accessibility of private education is a huge problem and one that I am deeply hoping to address.

I hope that clarifies some of my perspective. I am 97% sure it won’t change anything about how you are feeling about this post or the school, but that’s okay. I really do welcome the feedback because your pushback helps me reflect on my own position, so that I can hopefully be and do better.

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wheeelchairassassins t1_jdxpy0j wrote

No, I think those are fair points. And yes, the wording on progressive education is definitely one that in this climate can spark fierce responses from any angle.

I, personally, have been against school vouchers since the mainstream discussion really took off in the 90s. I whole heartedly back it when the local district can not adjusted provide for a child's needs (largely disabilities of all sorts) but I have had a problem with money being taken out of districts to go toward other schools based on parental choice alone. I have always just seen it as something that should be used for the NEEDS of a child, not the preference of the parent.

There is a lot of wiggle room allowed by the department of education among private and charter schools and while I understand fully privately funded schools, I do think it makes great education much more difficult for those who come from lower income access excellent education.

It isn't about the people running schools necessarily - I do believe the intentions are often well meaning. The problem, for me personally, is leaving kids whose parents do not have the means financially to pay for the school itself, or the transportation or boarding (when that is a factor).

All kids should have full and free access to excellent education, and the more private and charter schools that pop up, the families who are just getting by, or even just a little comfortably get by, have less access to quality education. That isn't the private institutions fault necessarily - but if public schools didn't essentially require their teachers to pay for supplies on their own, while offering salaries far below those at private - the quality of educator will inherently lower in there public sector.

We should have never allowed vouchers that weren't bad in need to begin with is my real issue - but if you are trying to f found a school that teaches truly thorough curriculum and is accessible to any child that wants to go, I wouldn't say it's the worst thing. I just think what the education system has become with not just the de-emphasis on public schooling, but also financially punishing schools that do not do as well on standardized tests. These are the places that need MORE funding, and instead the municipal/state/department of education takes money away from "failing schools". They have become a place of Calvinist indoctrination instead of true learning - and that I DO blame on alternative school options.

But reality is, there is no turning back. We already have irreparably fucked up the public school system so I guess all you can do is try to provide somewhere for any child to be taught how to learn and think critically, and not just rote memorization and how to follow orders.

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greenglasstree t1_jdx7hji wrote

I disagree with the private school thingie. Private schools are not bad, as long as they don't receive any funding from the government.

Charter schools are as bad as private prisons and defense contractors because they are corporate welfare.

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wheeelchairassassins t1_jdxnu61 wrote

Agreed on charter schools - my problem with private schools stems primarily from making good education accessible only to those who can afford it.

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lantonas t1_jdz34tc wrote

So how about public schools start offering good education?

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gmcgath t1_jdxqfdi wrote

If only the government didn't have competition, it would do better? Try another one.

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wheeelchairassassins t1_jdxrkvl wrote

Capitalism is not a model for learning - that is what this kind of competition is. Schools shouldn't have to compete with each other - ALL KIDS SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO EQUALLY GOOD EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE OR INCOME.

And no school should have the right to ban literature and impose religious beliefs or practices. That's what private and charter schools give unprecedented room for.

Maybe if anyone had ever TRIED to improve the education system instead of immediately trying to treat it apart with unnecessary options that aren't accessible to everyone, the government WOULD have done better. But I guess people with money to drive their kids across districts, board them elsewhere or just pay it out of pocket don't want the"poors" to ACTUALLY be able to compete in the world. Someone has to clean toilets so why bother giving them equal opportunities, right? 🙄

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vexingsilence t1_jdywnhc wrote

>no school should have the right to ban literature and impose religious beliefs or practices.

Why not? It's a free country. Parents should be able to raise their children as they wish. This is a huge reason why people turn on the public school system. Public schools want to take on the role of parent. They don't even think they need to inform the parents of everything that involves their children. If the public schools become unpopular, it's their own damn fault.

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SoiledGloves t1_jdx4k9e wrote

I’m in, but only if we call it The Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too

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lantonas t1_jdz3c9s wrote

I'm in, but only if we call it The Center for Poor Kids That Are Just As Bright and Just As Talented As White Kids.

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bingqiling t1_jdx92va wrote

Why do you want to start this school? What gap are you trying to fill in your community? Do you have a background in educational leadership?

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Substantial-Wrap8634 OP t1_jdy2oyh wrote

Great questions! Thank you for asking them!

Why do I want to start this school: First, I feel like education is the most promising way to improve the way our country and world is right now. Second, I believe that the public education system is outdated and slow moving. While I believe that kids need foundational information, the idea that "you won't always have a calculator in your pocket" just isn't true. I believe children will best benefit from education that teaches them how to learn, how to think and problem solve, life skills, cooperation and productive debate etc. Third, I believe that children learn best from active engagement in the learning process and through subject matters that interest them. When you look at children from birth to 3, they learn how to walk, talk, eat, identify some basic shapes, etc. without any formal education. Also, as adults, we learn when we are engaged with things that interest us. I don't believe that system goes offline for the period of time we've determined as a period of formal education, and so I think it's important to continue to engage children in that way. Finally, I believe our public school options struggle to meet each student where they are at. There are families whose children need unique supports who have to fight an uphill battle to get the needed supports. There are kids that are gifted with high book intelligence that are not getting challenged. I believe that we can be more flexible to better meet the needs of individual students.

What Gap in my community: There are limited options for more flexible learning opportunities. There are a handful of private schools that are religious or college prep options, but I think there is a third category that fits well for some kids that we are lacking. The schools that are available are less continuous as well. There are some that are K-2, K-4, etc. I feel that it would be good for some kids to have a school that they can stay with throughout their early and middle education, and then take advantage of the natural high school transition point.

Background: I do not have a background in Educational Leadership. This is why I am looking specifically for a partner with an Education background. My background is in Marriage and Family Therapy and I spent the last 10 years working with kids and teens, often in the school system, whether supporting them in the classroom or school itself, or working with the family and school during IEP meetings etc. I believe that I have a vision that is of good quality, but I am able to recognize that I have some significant gaps and I cannot get this off the ground without having other people to fill those gaps.

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I hope I answered your questions, please feel free to ask follow up questions or reach out to me directly!

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bingqiling t1_je00ny5 wrote

Being completely transparent - as someone in education, opening a school is hard AF and I'm not about to jump into that with someone that doesn't have an ed background. Maybe you'll find someone willing to take that risk, but you'll likely be best off finding someone you already have a working relationship with that has the experience to do this. Good luck!

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adam5isalive t1_jdxt9ix wrote

More private schools is always a good thing.

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No_Suggestion_8234 t1_jdxfcu7 wrote

I'm just curious what your funding is like for this and where it's coming from? I notice you say you're looking for "founders" and not "investors" and offering pay, so I'm assuming this is already funded and set in stone?

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Substantial-Wrap8634 OP t1_jdy3dpt wrote

Good question, thank you for asking. Right now, I am the funder. I am fortunate that I have some available capital to spend on start up. I don't think it's fair to ask people to invest their time in bringing this to life for free, unless they share the same passion and fulfillment that I do and are okay without a paycheck. One of the two specific folks that I am looking for is someone with a business background because I am not well versed in the funding aspect of running a non-profit. So, nothing is set in stone right now, but I am willing to put my money where my mouth is to make it happen!

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quaffee t1_jdxiipb wrote

Good luck, I love this idea. And kudos to you for being able to respond to the critiques. There are some shit pants fools among us in the subreddit, but I hope you find who you're looking for.

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averageduder t1_jdy6s6d wrote

I teach, and I don't really have any real desire to leave my current district, but the question that is begging to be asked: What are you looking to assure in salary and benefits to staff members?

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Substantial-Wrap8634 OP t1_jdye3s1 wrote

That's a great question, and to be honest, I'm not sure - we're just not there yet. I'd be happy to update you as we get further along in the process.

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[deleted] t1_jdwpsqp wrote

[removed]

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ParadigmCG t1_jdwuh9f wrote

Jeez talk about an overreaction lol

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Hereforthemadness1 t1_jdwwlcc wrote

Nope, fucking yuppies coming in and wanting to start new schools when NH is already has one of the top public school systems in the country. This mentality is the same that tries to shut down shooting ranges, cut down woods to build housing developments, and complains after their house is built that the other construction in town is “destroying the towns natural beauty”.

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ParadigmCG t1_jdwx0ys wrote

I think we're actually doing fine but that's just me.

NH is not in any risk of changing much. We're too out of the way.

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Substantial-Wrap8634 OP t1_jdx1adr wrote

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am always open to feedback and gave yours some thought. You brought up California and I’ve only been there once on vacation for 2 weeks. Still, made sure that this plan did not originate there, and it decidedly had not. Still, lending credit to your idea, I thought carefully about where I might be able to bring this school back to. It turns out, I was born in NH, was raised in NH, got my undergrad and graduate degrees in NH, and have lived here the vast majority of my life. Now, I did spend a couple years in Kittery and about 10 months in upstate New York but that only makes up about 7% of my life so I feel like I can’t really bring it back to those places either. So then I thought you were suggesting I just relocate to California, but NH is my home, and my whole life is here so unfortunately the cons of moving far outweigh the pros. Thank you for giving me something to think about, I’m sorry I couldn’t find a way to better incorporate your suggestion.

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