About Us
The School Philosophy
The Teddy McArdle Free School is a non-profit independent alternative school located at 139 Main St., Little Falls, NJ, U.S.A based on the democratic and free school educational philosophies. We opened our doors in the fall of 2007, with 13 enrolled students ages 5-12 (expanding to include up to 18 year olds in future years). Tuition for full time students is on a sliding scale so that families of all income levels can afford the school.
Democratic free schools have a rich history, which begins in 1921 with the Summerhill School in Leiston, England. Our philosophy, like many of the 200 or so free schools worldwide at present, maintains that children are naturally curious and innate learners who, when free to make their own choices in a nurturing and supportive environment, will develop all of the traits and knowledge needed for a happy and satisfying life. For this, there is no mandatory curriculum, classes, testing, or homework in our school and no age segregation. All communal rules are determined through weekly democratic meetings in which each individual, whether child or adult, gets one equal vote. This non-coercive approach to education allows every student to confidently develop at their own pace, thus creating a learner-centered environment truly tailored to each child's needs.
Classes at the school are proposed and run by any interested individual in the school, students and staff alike, with limitless possibilities to subject matter. For example, in our first few months being open, we have run classes from mythology to web design to engineering to drama and fine art. Emphasis is placed on developing a community where students can develop their interpersonal skills through negotiation of their freedom with that of others in the school. Likewise, reaching out to the school's community is a regular part of our activities, with planned and spontaneous excursions, internships, offsite classes and activities, and ongoing visits to the school from professionals in varying fields of expertise.
Above all else, children at the Teddy McArdle Free School are respected for their diversity, encouraged to be creative individuals, and given both the space and the attention needed to become confident and able learners. In short, it is a place to successfully learn how to learn. For more information or to enroll, please contact us.
Directions
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From Rte. 46 West:
Take the Union Blvd. exit toward Little Falls. At the top of the ramp, merge right onto Union Blvd. At the second light, turn left onto Main St. The church will be on your right approximately 1/4 mile after the intersection.
From Rte. 46 East:
After passing Willowbrook Mall on your right, look for the sign for the Riverview Drive-Wayne exit. The sign is on an overpass; go UNDER the overpass, take the exit as it curls up to the right. Turn left at the top of the ramp onto Riverview Drive. Proceed to the 1st traffic light, then turn right onto Union Blvd. At the first light, turn left onto Main St. and follow the directions as given above.
From Rte. 23 North:
Turn right at the Four Corners traffic light (Main St. and Newark-Pompton Tpke.) Proceed through the 1st traffic light; the church will be on your right approximately 1/4 mile after the intersection.
From Rte. 23 South:
After passing Willowbrook Mall on your right, look for Four Corners traffic light (Main St. and Newark-Pompton Tpke.) Turn left at this light and then proceed through the 1st traffic light on Main St.; the church will be on your right approximately 1/4 mile after this intersection.
School Calendar
School Meeting Rules
As a democratic free school, once a week our school holds a School Meeting, where all school rules are determined democratically with students and staff each getting one equal vote. Below is an up to date list of our school's rules, created by and voted on by our school community.
Non Discrimination Statement
The Teddy McArdle Fee School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identification in the administration of its educational policy, admissions and other school-administered programs.