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The School Structure

The School Assembly. The name given to Blue Ridge Sudbury School' student, staff, and parent group, and is also the highest governing body of the school. The Assembly meets officially once a year on the first Tuesday of June and unofficially once a month on the second Friday for a Potluck dinner at the school campus. The Assembly sets the tuition and budget, and determines the standards for awarding diplomas.

The School Meeting. The School Meeting is held every Thursday at 12:30pm during the school year for staff and students. The School Meeting can adopt, repeal, and enforce school laws, manage day-to-day school affairs, clerks, committees, and cooperatives. Each student and staff have one vote. The agendas are posted all week immediately following a meeting. Students and staff are free to list any items they wish to bring up with the school community. The School Meeting serves as the school's executive director and is run by Robert's Rules of Order. Attendance is optional; students may come if they wish but don't have to. There is no vote by proxy, meaning students must be present in order for their vote to count.

Clerkship and Officer Positions. Many tasks have to be performed to keep the Campus running smoothly. Certain jobs can only be done by Staff members, and all other positions can be taken by willing students. Elections are held every three weeks for the following positions: Attendance Clerk, Judicial Committee Chair, Judicial Committee Clerk, School Meeting Chair, and School Meeting Secretary.

Cooperatives and Certification. Chartered by the School Meeting, Cooperatives are groups that take responsibility for material, equipment, space, and activities within the school. They are formed and supported by students and staff who are interested. Examples would include the Kitchen Cooperative, Arts and Crafts Cooperative, Recreation Cooperative, etc. Each Cooperative creates guidelines and determines certification procedures. Students new to the school are responsible to find out from Directors of each Cooperative how to become certified when they want to use materials belonging to a Cooperative.

The Judicial Committee ("JC"). The JC meets daily to investigate and process complaints and allegations of law violations written up by students or staff. All students and staff members are responsible to take turns carrying out the responsibilities of the JC.

Blue Ridge Sudbury School Rule Book. In our school, rules are put in writing, and all members of the school are expected to abide by them. Formulating, interpreting, upholding, and maintaining the rules of Blue Ridge Sudbury School are a crucial component of the students' learning experience. Please make sure you take time to look over the Blue Ridge Sudbury School Rule Book.