The Strawberry Fields Alternative
High School
Philosophy & Admissions
Teaching a Special Way of Seeing Life
The only true education comes through the stimulation of the student's
powers by the demands of the social situations in which he finds
himself. Through these demands he is stimulated to conceive of himself
from the standpoint of the welfare of the group to which he belongs.
 John Dewey
As an extended-family day program, we at The Strawberry Fields Alternative
High School believe that young people with special needs learn best
when assuming responsibilities as members of a caring, socially
conscious community of peacemakers. Peacemaking is our shared path
of commitment and growth.
We also embrace the belief that life problems are personalized growth
opportunities which nurture inner development, and have larger purposes
in our collective life experience. Our vision is to instill in each
student self-respect and confidence, a sense of importance, belonging
and well-being. Students are encouraged to reach beyond their limitations
to those in need, and to strive to make a difference in the world.
The basic tenet of our philosophy of education holds that all human
beings learn best through meaningful and positive personal relationships.
The most realistic way of evaluating students' learning and progress
is to observe how they deal with decision-making and problem-solving
in life.
At The Strawberry Fields Alternative High School, each student grows
and learns in an atmosphere of dignity, trust and love. Our challenge
as educators is to enable our students to recognize, accept and
express their individual value as members of the human family, while
equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill
their birthright; to participate and share in the life of the community,
and to make their unique contribution to the world. We believe that
our students achieve maximum growth by looking beyond themselves
to improve the lives of others. By doing so, they provide a model
for the rest of us.
A Peacemaking Philosophy
The True Path To Progress
Creating peace on earth is the proper duty of the human family.
We have been given the tools and shown the way. The saints, sages
and peacemakers of history have made it clear that peacemaking is
the true path to progress. It is the meaning of history. Through
us, planet earth is to become a place where life's challenges are
transformed into opportunities for sharing and service.
Peacemaking is practical because it makes the experience of life
valuable and fulfilling. Peacemaking satisfies needs and generates
creative altruism. It is empirically and spiritually growth producing.
Being a natural, rational vocation of human beings, it leads to
peace with ourselves, with each other, and with the planet. Maybe
then, if we should make contact with life in other star systems,
we will have learned the lessons of peace; we shall bring the message
and joys of peace; and we shall gladly introduce ourselves as a
planet of peacemakers.
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