In our culture today, there is a misunderstanding between self-reliance and independence. True independence — where a child or adult feels free to act and be themselves in the world — does not stem from expecting, making or forcing someone to do things by themselves, or putting them in environments where they are mostly left alone to figure things out (as in Montessori).

True independence stems from feelings of belonging, security, and safety. We as human beings are automatically more courageous and emboldened to go into the world as who we are on our own — no matter our age.

Rooting children’s sense of belonging, security, and safety with trusted adults at home and school from day one and through their crucial early years (ages 0-7) solidifies in their brains strong neural pathways that they can rely on for a lifetime. This means a greater ease in self-soothing when feeling anxious, an inherent trust in the goodness of the world, and a more open and curious child.

The way I see it, it is well past time to step away from the rigid thinking we have in our society that puts the responsibility of raising children solely on the parents to figure out. And, to honor that each child is unique by giving families support and options to uphold this very basic truth. Treating everyone the same, or as a number, simply does not work because we are all unique!

The time has come to incorporate mutually supportive systems'. The Oak School is our effort in aiding the creation of new structures that support the interconnectedness of us all — from the parents, to the school, to the communities we live and grow in.

We can’t be all things to all people, including our kids. But with nurturing containers, like a loving school community, we can fulfill the varied needs a child has in being raised whole. This is how we grow kids into adults who are living their fullest potential: happy, confident, resilient, self-aware, and joyful.

Join us in creating a world we want to live in, together!