Learner-Led Education – Students design their own curriculum. Staff assist, encourage and facilitate students with their process.  Students choose which activities they will participate in or lead.

Consensus decision-making – Consensus decision-making is a process of collaborative discussion which protects the needs of both the group and the individual.  In Consensus the whole group makes decisions, instead of a majority or minority. Through Consensus decision-making, each individual’s concerns and ideas are listened to and considered.   The group works with and adjusts a proposal until all can consent to its final form. Decisions are only made when every member gives his or her consent. This process gives more voice to individuals with minority viewpoints.  To read more about The Emerson Lily Free School’s Consensus process, read our "Consensus Process Handbook" and "Meeting Guidelines".

Horizontal structure – At The Emerson Lily Free School, every student and staff member is equal and has access to the Consensus decision-making process.  Each person speaks for himself or herself. It is a direct democracy in which the people who are doing the work are making the decisions.

            Conflict Resolution – At the Emerson Lily Free School, there are no punishments. Instead, we employ conflict resolution.  We study conflict resolution processes to uncover which system works best for each person. When a conflict arises, the people involved or affected in the conflict are encouraged to seek the aid of a mediator or the support of the school meeting, if they are not able to work it out themselves.

Empathetic Communication – We promote empathetic communication skills, to create understanding and to avoid any potential conflicts.   We encourage one another to express our feelings, thoughts, needs and values.  We listen with open ears and open minds to others and strive to accept and respect our differences and similarities.

Non-violence – The Emerson Lily Free School does not support any violence. For our purposes, we define violence as “the harming of another person beyond their will”. Conflict resolution is a very important part of our mission. Empathetic Communication is one of guiding principles.

Environmental Consciousness – As an extension of cooperation among people, the free school also values cooperation with the Earth, its resources, and all its inhabitants.  We operate as a green business. We use environmentally friendly products and reuse materials whenever possible.  We manage our consumption and waste levels and take steps to continually minimize both.