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12 Hudson Valley Parent n January 2016 the Hudson Valley Sudbury school located in Kingston, points to three elements of the school that are unique: they don't have traditional classes designed by teachers, the students aren't segregated by age, and the students themselves are part of the democratic management of the school. The democratic nature of the school is something that Heath- er Bunch of Kingston, whose son attends Hudson Valley Sudbury School, appreciates. She says our so- ciety tends to be "adultist," sending messages to children that they don't By DAWN GREEN W hile one-size-fits-all may work for bathrobes and Halloween costumes, as parents we know it doesn't always work with education. Some children work best doing hands-on projects, others learn best when they have chosen the topic to study. While some thrive in an environment that stresses group work, others need a quieter, solitary space to think and work through concepts. Luckily, our region has a num- ber of options for those looking to break out of the typical public school model. Some of those schools focus on traditional academics, others on a more holistic development of the child. Sudbury off ers an untraditional learning experience Perhaps the model that looks most glaringly different from a traditional school model is the Sudbury model. Jeff Collins, one of the founders of Our region has a number of options for those looking to break out of the typical public school model. Learning best A primer of local private education models matter. The democratic nature of Sudbury, Bunch says, where children are treated as equals, makes the school "an environment that respects young people fully." Students design their own proj- ects and pursue their own interests, something Collins says gives them confidence. Seeing a project through from start to finish, continuing to try even in the face of failure develops persistence. It creates students who are "less fearful." Collins stresses that this is the real focus of the Sudbury model: developing a student's qualities and characteristics, rather than empha- sizing academic skills. Students who do wish to pursue a Regents diplo- ma, though, are welcome to study for and take the required tests. Kids learn best with hands-on activities is the Montessori approach Like Waldorf, Montessori schools also base their model on an edu- cational philosophy that has been around for generations. Founder Sudbury schools develops a student's qualities and characteristics, rather than emphasizing academic skills. They don't have traditional classes designed by teachers.