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Pono's educational program was founded in 2010 by a parent, educator, and education researcher in response to the need for an alternative school option that protects children's innate curiosity, genius, wonderment, and drive to explore and grow, by trusting them to initiate and direct their own learning.
Pono is a pioneer in offering an educational program that is both outdoor and democratic: a program where the children spend at least half of their time out of the classroom in and around New York City.
Students design the curriculum through a process that respects and reflects their varied individual learning interests, and they govern their learning community through a democratic process.
They pursue topics and long-term projects in fields as diverse as natural sciences (including biology, chemistry, Earth science, and physics), history, creative movement and dance, foreign languages (e.g., Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic), gardening, health and nutrition, cooking, reading, art, yoga, music, charity, fashion design, carpentry, sports, and more.
Pono is the only outdoor democratic school in New York. We plan to grow with the oldest group and expand through high school.
Full tuition for 2020–2021 is $29,740 for ages 5 and younger, and $31,200 for older children. Part time enrollment is prorated based on the number of days selected. A 10% siblings’ discount is offered.
Summer Program Cost
$5,360
Summer Program Cost Notes
Summer camp enrollment is also available on a weekly basis, at $710/week.
Admissions Director
Kate Deshmukh
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization: Extended Day Program
Arts and Music Programs: Art Classes
Recreational Athletic Programs: Soccer Club
School Notes
Mission
Pono offers school-age children
anindependent,democratic,
andoutdooreducational program where
each child`s interests and innate desire to learn are cherished and
nurtured as the children are immersed in a harmonious learning
community and authentic world learning environment, and guided to
becoming life-long thinkers and balanced human beings.
Beliefs
Children are learning creatureswho are
naturally curious and inquisitive, and who strive for understanding
and competence. We support their basic human drive to learn and
grow by providing the opportunity to direct and regulate their
learning in the manner that they choose, at their own place and
pace, and for as long as they want and need. The structure at
Pono-whether it isvoluntary classes; mixed age
groupings; the absence of a pre-set curriculum, homework, tests,
and grades-contributes to a fulfilling and enjoyable
learning experience;
Children, no matter how young, learn
responsibilityby being given responsibility.
Children at Pono have the responsibility and freedom to govern not
only their learning, but also their own Pono community. Each child
and teacher has an equal voice in decisions that affect the daily
operation of the educational program;
A healthy environment is one in
whichPonoexists.Pono, a
traditional Hawaiian concept denoting perfect harmony and
equilibrium, inspires everything we do.We strive to
create a learning environment of perfect harmony with our children,
families, teachers, and other members of the Pono community. We
make every effort to have our lessons, meals, programs and projects
achieve a state ofPonoamong our community, bigger
society, and nature;
Learning happenseverywhere, and it
happensbest when children are immersed in authentic
environments and situations, rather than through rote or
forced instruction in rigid artificial settings. We take full
advantage of the riches and resources available in New York City
and the surrounding states. We hold many sessions in parks and
farms, museums,factories, workshops,theaters, art
studios and so on. We create partnerships with different
educational and cultural organizations to provide and facilitate
access to different events and resources. At least twice a week we
invitevisiting teacherswho are
professionals and educators specialized in fields that correspond
to the children's interests to work with them.While the
learning environment we create is
natural,unwired,open-ended,dynamic,
andflexible, it always adapts and adjusts to
the interests of the students;
Children and adults learn together and from each other, despite
presumed or identified abilities, disabilities, challenges, and
labels.All members of the Pono community work
together on creating a fully inclusive learning
environmentthat is free of attitudinal, structural
and physical barriers that would hinder the full participation of
its members in the community;
The role of teachers is to nurture, guide, and
supportthe interests and natural progress of the
children. More importantly, they teach by example how to be
socially conscious; how to pursue learning journeys; and how to
live harmoniously in a community where one`s freedom ends when it
interferes with the freedom of others.Ourhigh
teacher to child ratioandsmall-size
groupsensure that each child gets the individual
guidance and support she needs.
Values
At Pono, personal development and participation in a community
ofkindness, respect, and inclusion are
essential. In our daily operation, we
valuefreedomnot
license,collaborationnot competition,
resolving conflict throughcouncil
meetingsnot punishment.
Grades: NS-8 | 327 students8.9 miles 235 St. Marks Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 398-3290
8.9
NS-8
327
School Reviews
58/7/2019
Your documentary about Pono made me cry. What a wonderful school you have created. It makes me wish I still lived in New York...and that I could just come hang out with you all. And it made me wish that all children could be educated in such a way. You are opening New York City and the world to them like a big book, and you are filling their open hearts with love, joy, care and responsibility. Wow! Ruth Anne Hammond, RIE Mentor
- Posted by Teacher - Ruth Anne Hammond
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