What does it mean that SAU is a Co-Learning Community and not a school?

As a Co-Learning Community, SAU is an independent educational non-profit. We exist to provide full and part time educational experiences for students who are registered in the state of Maine as homeschoolers. In 2020, we chose to transition from being a school (which is a legal designation conferred by the state) to being a co-learning community. We chose to make this transition because we believe that our definitions of what “school” is are changing, and need to change. We are inspired by a world where parents are actively stewarding their children’s education and development, and in which parents are supported to be participants in their own learning, inspired and catalyzed by their children. Being a Co-Learning Community better reflects our ethos of parent involvement in children’s education, and it better fits with our values of supporting student-centered, family-centered educational experiences.

Are you part of a network of Co-Learning programs?

SAU is a wholly independent educational non-profit. We are inspired and influenced by a wide range of educational pioneers, programs, and schools. In our transition to becoming a Co-Learning Community we have been inspired and mentored by Workspace Education and NorthStar Learning.

Do enrolled students at SAU need to provide proof of vaccination to attend?

No. SAU is an independent educational non-profit and is not required to collect proof of vaccination from participating students and families.

How many students are enrolled at SAU? What is your Learner:Educator ratio?

SAU currently has 41 learners enrolled - some are Full time and others are part-time. Our maximum Learner:Educator ratio is 10:1.

How is the SAU Co-Learning Community different from a homeschool Co-op?

The SAU CLC more closely resembles an independent school than a homeschool co-op. Full and part time enrolled learners are dropped off and picked up daily by their parent / guardian, and are guided in each day’s workshops and experiences by certified educators. Parents of enrolled students may participate in key workshops and events, but are not guiding SAU’s curriculum nor responsible for leading classes and workshops.

What am I required to do if I am the parent of a homeschooled child in Maine?

Please visit our homeschooling & SAU information page HERE where we have described how SAU supports and streamlines completion of the state requirements for homeschooling families.

What is your stance on Technology?

At SAU we tend to favor the natural and “analog” worlds over the virtual. That said, we use technology to support connections that add value to learning experiences and to our community. At a typical day at SAU, use of screens is minimal. Individual use of personal devices is not allowed unless it is in support of a learning activity. The SAU Community of enrolled parents and educators uses a private online social platform (not on Facebook) to share announcements, events, resources, and student projects. Students are supported to use the resources on this platform and on other learning-centered platforms (like DIY) as part of some of their projects.

What does assessment look like at SAU?

SAU does not administer formal assessments to learners. Letter and numeric grades are not awarded for student work. Rich, personalized feedback is encouraged between all members of the SAU community. Feedback and reflection is amply given by educators to learners, and by educators to parents about their child’s well-being and development. Educators are in frequent communication with parents about each student from a holistic perspective that focuses as much on their emotional development as on the acquisition of skills and knowledge. Parents are encouraged to engage with educators about their child’s well-being and development openly and often. On a daily basis, SAU educators support learners to engage in frequent self-reflection, and participatory democratic processes of group decision making and conflict resolution are used frequently.

Are you affiliated with any religious or spiritual belief system?

We are not affiliated with any religious or spiritual belief system, and strive to create an environment that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. 

Do you provide transportation to / from SAU?

We do not provide transportation at this time.

Do you offer before or after care?

We do not currently offer before or after care.

When does the day begin and end?

Drop off begins each morning at 8:30 am, and pick up is at 3:00 pm.