Learning the way nature intended
Here’s the truth: Children want to learn. When we align education with nature—the way kids are wired—we make it make sense again.
Our Approach
The fundamental question in education is not What should children learn? but rather What conditions do children need for full, healthy development, and how can we provide them? That's why our approach is based on three core truths that drive all human learning—truths backed by research and human history but often ignored by modern education systems.
1
Curiosity is the Root of All Learning
Curiosity is a biological drive, as essential as hunger or thirst. Let a one-year-old loose in your living room, and she will explore every corner—it takes effort to stop her! When children follow their curiosity, learning happens naturally and deeply. Conventional education stifles this drive in many ways like by limiting time for personal interests and providing answers too soon rather than encouraging further questioning.
At The Village Electric, educators serve as resources, supporting curiosity rather than squashing it. Our role is to is understand each child’s natural tendency toward curiosity and support how it is expressed in that child.
2
Children Are People
Children are worthy of our full respect as human beings. In fact, autonomy is built into our wiring from birth. When we lack this basic need, we experience decreased natural motivation, anxiety, depression, or rebellion. By contrast, when children have agency over their daily activities, they develop confidence, self-direction, and a true sense of responsibility.
At the same time, they naturally seek community, learning through relationships, and shared experiences. By combining an absolute respect for self with a deep sense of community, we believe we are putting into practice ideals humanity has long struggled for.
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3
Children Are “Free-Range” Learners
For most of human history, children learned through exploration, play, and participation in the adult world. Research confirms this is how humans are designed to learn. In traditional hunter-gatherer societies, and up until quite recently, children gained knowledge not through structured lessons but by engaging with their surroundings and communities.
Today, children still need the same essential elements: play, spontaneity, hands-on experiences, and nurturing relationships. At The Village Electric, we protect children’s need to explore, create, and grow on their own terms.
The Benefits
The future belongs to people who can stretch their minds—who can shape, connect, and apply ideas in new ways. Conventional schools discourage this kind of thinking. At The Village Electric, it’s our entire curriculum. The benefits to your child are profound.
Deeper, Faster Learning
When children follow their curiosity, learning isn’t just more effective—it becomes a lifelong passion.
No Burnout
Autonomy and self-paced learning prevent the stress, exhaustion, and avoidance common in traditional schooling.
Personal Agency
When students are given the opportunity to take charge of their education, they also learn that their life and happiness is in their hands.
Stronger Self-Esteem
When children focus on their strengths and interests instead of being forced to struggle with things that don’t interest them, confidence comes naturally.
More Fulfillment and Connection
A learning environment that respects the whole person leads to stronger relationships and a deeper sense of purpose.
A Future-Proof Education
The world has changed, but conventional schooling hasn’t. We prioritize creativity, adaptability, resilience, and self-motivation—the skills that matter in real life.
Our Story
The Village Electric began with a question: Why doesn’t school feel as exciting as the world outside it? In 2019, as we searched for schools for our two young children, we saw institutions stuck in the past while the world surged ahead with bold ideas and endless possibilities. In an era of groundbreaking technology and creativity, we wondered why education couldn’t be just as inspiring.
Then we discovered something exciting: a revolution in education was underway. Innovative models like SpaceX’s Astra Nova, Sudbury Valley Schools, and microschools across the country were rewriting the rules, and tools like OutSchool were opening new doors. What was missing was a space where kids could be free to be guided by their own curiosity and ambitions.
That’s how The Village Electric was born. Our mission: to create a school where kids can take charge of their lives, learn in the ways that suit them best, and pursue their passions. We dreamed of a community where children discover their genius, thrive as independent people, and grow into creative, compassionate citizens.
Since opening in 2021, the ideas behind The Village Electric have flourished. Guided by our vision of a world where happy, empowered children grow into fulfilled, impactful adults, we’ve built a place where curiosity, creativity, and freedom fuel every day. Here, education isn’t just preparation for life—it’s life itself.
We invite you to join us and see what’s possible when kids are free to explore their unique paths and reach their full potential. Together, we’re building something extraordinary.
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- Ben and Tammy, Cofounders