Yellow buses line the cul–de-sac to usher students home after a long day of learning at the Circle School. Though the building resembles other public schools, the students at this private institution experience a very different kind of school day.
They are engaged in “self-directed” learning, in charge of their own education. The school is also democratic, in that all students participate in its rules and how it operates.
“It’s a scaled-down version of the real world,” said Jim Rietmulder, one of four founders.
The Circle School—and its distinctive approach to education—has been around for 33 years. This year, however, has been particularly special, as the school moved to a new location, the eight-acre “Meadow Campus” just outside of Harrisburg in Susquehanna Township.
The new, $2.7 million facility, the third building in its history, was needed to accommodate growing enrollment, as the school had outgrown its prior spot at the circa-1931, former Harrisburg Children’s Home Infirmary in Swatara Township, Rietmulder said.
The move was the culmination of years of fundraising and site searches, including the donation of land by the George M. Leader Family Corp.
The new campus was specifically designed with the Circle School’s mission and methods in mind. The 9,000 square feet of space includes a centrally located reception area, Judicial Hearing Room and large commons area, as well as a mud room, play room, music and drum rooms, library, art and science rooms, multiple activity rooms, administrative space, kitchen, records office and storage.
“Academics are an important part of life— but they are just a part of life,” Rietmulder said. “We want to help kids cultivate themselves in a whole host of ways, many of which go beyond academics.”
Briana Pierce, whose two daughters attend The Circle School, couldn’t agree more.
“Life is about learning to communicate, it’s about learning to problem-solve, and learning skills you need as an adult, a citizen, as a human being,” she said. “That’s what the Circle School does better than anywhere I’ve ever seen.”
Pierce began looking for a school alternative for her daughter Celina who has Asperger syndrome, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Pierce was sold immediately on the ideals of the Circle School, but her 15-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, was skeptical. That skepticism melted away, and both girls are now thriving, said Pierce. Caitlyn is pursuing her interest in music, German, geometry and preparing for the SATs. She receives help from teachers when she desires it, but is creating her own path.
In the real world, each day can be very different depending on how a person decides to spend it. The same applies to the Circle School. Of course, students are required to attend school, but how they spend their school day is mostly up to them. If they love reading, they can read all day. If they enjoy science, they can spend their entire day in the science room.
“There is never a time when we will sit a child down and say, ‘Now it’s time to learn math,’ or any other subject,” Rietmulder said.
While the school follows this self-directed model, it is not free-for-all. There are many rules that the students need to follow, an entire binder of them, created by the students themselves. Students establish and amend rules by taking their suggestions to “School Meeting.”
Rule-breakers are seen by the Judicial Committee, a group of students and teachers who handle complaints. The group meets two hours a day to hear grievances. On this particular day, a student filed a complaint against Keena because she “keeps running inside and taking Adrianna’s Minnie Mouse.” Consequences for such an offense could include BSRT (walking in baby steps for the rest of the day), or for serial offenders, the next day, also.
The school offers what Rietmulder thinks is imperative for children— less adult-directed time.
“Many kids have just zero opportunities in their lives for time that isn’t adult-directed and yet that is extremely rich, valuable time to be able to explore the world,” he said.
How does this type of education play out after graduation? Very well, says Rietmulder. A 2015 Circle School study showed that, of students who spent the last eight years of their schooling there (affectionately known as “lifers”), 91 percent went on to college, while 84 percent of those who spent their last four years there headed to higher education. He added that Circle School graduates hold more degrees at all levels than their counterparts.
This isn’t because the school woos only the most academically capable and wealthy students. Of the 82-person student body, 55 percent come from families earning less than $50,000 a year. Also, the school has an open admissions policy, welcoming students at all learning levels.
Finding their own direction, following their aspirations, and directing their own education seems to develop grit, said Rietmulder.
“Got a challenge you have to meet, OK, go ahead just do it, make it happen,” he said. “That’s what Circle School students are like.”
The Circle School is located at 727 Wilhelm Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.circleschool.org or their Facebook page.
