New book released! “Taking the Leap – Democratic Schools: Former Students About Their Lives.”

The summary of the book by the editors:
Into the unknown is what you might be feeling the moment you step through the door of a democratic school. As Cheyenne, one of the interviewees, says: “I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were children playing, everywhere. There were all kinds of animals. I thought, ‘What is this place?’” Once you start at the school, you find you are in charge. What are you going to do, starting right now? How do you take your first steps? What do you think is important for you to learn? Ultimately, you must decide, as you are now the director of your own life.
“But,” says Jasmijn, “You have to take the leap.” At some point, then, the next big step must be taken: life after a democratic school.
This transition can be both exciting and daunting. You’re used to self-direction and personal responsibility. At the same time, in an environment where different structures and hierarchies prevail, these skills can bring challenges. But with everything you’ve learned, you know that the world is your playground and you go into the adventure with confidence.
That’s the ideal story. But how do these people really get on after their time at a democratic school? We were curious, so we asked democratic schools in the Netherlands to interview some former students. In Taking the Leap, 80 young people tell their stories about their journey and what they encountered along the way, from their first day at a democratic school until now.
We created this book on the 10th anniversary of DOE040, the 15th anniversary of De Vrije Ruimte and the 20th anniversary of De Ruimte. We want to give all the democratic schools in the Netherlands something to share.
Our stories can go out into the world!

Editors:
Claartje van der Grinten (De Vrije Ruimte)
Elizabet Meerbeek-Zwetsloot (DOE040)
Janneke Bergmans (De Ruimte)
www.democratischescholen.nl