Paideia School - why do people consider it so liberal? (college, teacher)

[letsgomets7]

Our kids are in a progressive school environment now (Montessori) and we are thinking about the next step. We like this way of learning for our children, although a bit more structure may be beneficial. We are considering Paideia, Galloway and Cliff Valley. Open to other suggestions as well.

We really like Paideia but are concerned about its liberal reputation. Can anyone give specific examples of what makes it so liberal or examples of it not being as liberal as the reputation makes it seem? Our family is probably somewhere in the middle and I want to make sure we aren't a fish out of water wherever we go.

Thanks!

[CMMom]

Well, I think one factor is that many Emory professors' kids attend the school. And college professors tend to skew left (not all, but most). Paideia has had a reputation as a left-leaning school for many years, at least since the 1980s. I have no first-hand knowledge, but that is definitely the reputation out there. Hopefully, others will chime in.

[AtlJan]

sent direct message.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by letsgomets7

Our kids are in a progressive school environment now (Montessori) and we are thinking about the next step. We like this way of learning for our children, although a bit more structure may be beneficial. We are considering Paideia, Galloway and Cliff Valley. Open to other suggestions as well.

We really like Paideia but are concerned about its liberal reputation. Can anyone give specific examples of what makes it so liberal or examples of it not being as liberal as the reputation makes it seem? Our family is probably somewhere in the middle and I want to make sure we aren't a fish out of water wherever we go.

Thanks!

A kid who went there described it as a school founded by hippies for hippies.

Its more in the learning style than the politics.

[letsgomets7]

I've heard that. What's a hippy learning style though?

Originally Posted by bu2

A kid who went there described it as a school founded by hippies for hippies.

Its more in the learning style than the politics.

[Gilah G.]

https://www.city-data.com/forum/atla...ia-school.html

https://www.city-data.com/forum/atla...e-paideia.html
https://www.city-data.com/forum/atla...t-paideia.html

Old thread but I believe relevant.

[letsgomets7]

thanks!

[bu2]

Originally Posted by letsgomets7

I've heard that. What's a hippy learning style though?

Maybe that is answered in the other poster's threads.

But they don't really stick with traditional classrooms. They may have a classroom where everyone sits around on couches. The classes aren't as structured as in a more typical school.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by bu2

But they don't really stick with traditional classrooms. They may have a classroom where everyone sits around on couches. The classes aren't as structured as in a more typical school.

I could see doing that. Sitting in on a hard, uncomfortable chair with some teacher scratching on a blackboard doesn't make you learn any better.

[ATLTJL]

I always heard it described as a hippy dippy place where kids sit in bean bags.

Sounds neat to me.