creativity. exploration. agile education.
Heartwood ALC is a learning community that starts with the assumption that all children are inherently curious and creative. That includes the child who has too many questions for a conventional class period, the child reading or doodling under the desk next to them, and the child who needs space to quietly think about an idea for days before they’re ready to share what it sparked in them. It includes the child who constantly tests their skills with online tutorials and video game builds, and also the child who needs to move their body to move their mind. We start with the assumption that, unique as they are, all children are already on their way to becoming lifelong learners and creators. If they’re already making choices, exploring interests, practicing skills, and choosing goals, we’re not here to interrupt that process. We’re here to partner with them in it.
Heartwood is a place where we are always learning: through experimentation, open-inquiries, free play, deliberate skill-building, and social engagement. Our students personalize their experiences by making choices every day, and they build meta-cognition through regular small meetings to reflect on these choices. The community solves real problems together, as we steward and adapt the space continually using co-design practices. We love a project, and we’re always learning new tools. We also welcome silliness and surprises. We share notes about our favorite stories, make cartoons of our rescue cat, and enjoy spontaneous karaoke in our sensory garden. Social and self-expression breakthroughs are celebrated as much as more academic level-ups in our space.
Our Clarkston microschool operates August through May, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:15 pm.
We currently have 5 open spots for fall and are accepting applications for students 8 - 15 from the metro Atlanta area.
Our new part-time program runs Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays during the school year, with the same hours.
We had a positive site visit from a WASC Accreditation representative recently, and we look forward to receiving word of their commission’s determination by summer. This means we aren’t yet eligible to receive Georgia Promise or SB10 scholarships yet, but we are actively working to be able to soon. Clar
Heartwood utilizes a trans-disciplinary competency model which defines success through developing transferable skills and self-actualization. One of the things this means is that we’re not a low-demand space, but we are a low-arbitrary-demand space. We’re high-engagement, high-agency, and in many ways high-responsibility. Our students are busy developing transferable skills and self-actualization; our facilitators aim to support rather than interrupt that work.
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Meaningful learning happens when people are engaged in activities they care about. Our job is to provide the space and support that allows them to flourish. Our approach is rooted in:
Self-Direction: Students choose how to spend their time and what to explore.
Abundant Play: Free play lets us practice essential skills… and feel joy!
Project-Based Learning: We offer space and support for student-initiated projects.
Democratic Practice: Co-planning happens collaboratively through community meetings.
Mixed-Age Collaboration: Young people learn from and with each other.
Real Responsibility: Everyone is expected to contribute to building our weekly schedule, resolving conflicts, caretaking our space, and creating an inspiring culture in our space.
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Our educational philosophy is informed by research and practice from leaders in self-directed education:
Dr. Peter Gray's research on how children learn through play
Dr. Alison Gopnik's work on childhood development and learning
carla bergman's writing on free kids and learning communities
When given freedom within appropriate boundaries, children develop intrinsic motivation, creative problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence that serves them throughout life.
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Our facilitators are not traditional teachers. They are engaged guides who:
Create a physically and emotionally safe environment
Model curiosity and lifelong learning
Support children in developing tools for collaboration
Help students reflect on their growth
Connect students with resources and opportunities
There are many ways that people practice self-directed education. You can learn more about how we do it on our FAQ page.
