The Joy of Kids Living Freely

For a person aged 5 through 18, there is no place quite like Alpine Valley School. For that matter, as a parent of one of its lucky students and as one of its staff members, I’ve found there’s no place quite like it for an adult either. 

Where else can we see so many kids joyfully figuring out and showing each other who they are? Where else can their explorations be so boundless? Every day, I get to see the small but significant transformations in our students that free people enjoy—and in those first, exceptionally precious stages of life. What joy to get to know them and watch them unfolding. 

As a parent to a soon-to-be 8-year-old here named Jack who began when he turned 5, I feel especially fortunate to have such a place for our family. It’s a rare thing indeed for a child to love their school as much as Jack does. And it’s equally rare for an adult to love their work as much as I do. For both of us and for different reasons, Alpine Valley School has become our favorite place.

Getting to know Jack and his wonderful classmates; getting to accompany the students at AVS in their peripatetic explorations; getting to share in their verve for growth, creativity and learning; these are all things that bring me the highest happiness.

I couldn’t be more grateful to the generous people that allow our singular program to exist. Please help me reach my goal to raise $500, so a family in need can receive tuition assistance for their AVS student. Thank you on behalf of myself, Jack, and everyone else impacted by the work at AVS.