Community & Democracy
Alpine Valley is a democratic community with a family feel. Here, students K-12 have the freedom to pursue their interests and learn the meaning of responsibility. Because their voices are heard, they
- learn respect for self and others,
- gain confidence and control,
- take charge of their lives, and
- become role models and leaders.
At Alpine Valley School, we balance freedom with responsibility, trust with healthy boundaries. Here, everyone has a say in every decision, and all members of the community are treated fairly. Important elements of our community include:
- School Meeting. The school’s day-to-day business, including expenditures, staff hiring, and discipline, is the responsibility of the weekly School Meeting. Each student and staff member has one vote.
- The Judicial Committee. An impartial group of three students and one staff member, the JC handles alleged rule violations and discipline. This involves thorough investigations and due process.
General Information
The AVS Philospophy
Community & Democracy
Graduation
“The biggest change we saw in our son . . . was from a kid who felt all authority was oppressive into someone with a more realistic view of himself as an individual who could exercise some control as part of the system, not just subject to the system.”
— Parent of a graduate
“What I love about being here is that I can challenge myself. When I find something interesting, I can pursue it at whatever pace I want, for however long I want. I also love J.C. (the judicial committee). I love the process of hearing both sides of a case, the process of debate, and the arguing back and forth, taking everything into account… and coming up with a fair sentence.”
— AVS Student, Age 12
“Even in the first week of my son and daughter attending Alpine Valley, there was a noticeable change. I’d pick them up at school and they’d be engaged in this passionate conversation about something that had happened at the school that day. What they were talking about was what had happened at that day’s Judicial Committee meeting; really, they were arguing politics.
-– AVS parent