Events

Calendar

Our school calendar is “traditional” and follows local districts closely (but never precisely).

ZDS Open Houses are the best way to learn more about the school. Students, parents, alumni, and staff members will be in attendance to give tours of the campus, discuss the school, and answer questions. Panel discussion at 2:00.

Community Events

Special events are integral to the Zena Democratic School program. Our events offer opportunities to relax, socialize, celebrate students, and deepen the unique and intimate mixed-age relationships which are the foundation of our community.

Summer Camps

ZDS strives to offer a variety of summer camps.

Calendar

Open Houses

Community Events

Summer Camps

Parents’ experience of the school is a crucial factor in determining their childrens’ experience of the school. Children of parents who work hard to understand our philosophy, communicate with staff, attend events, and connect with the community usually get the most out of our program.

At Zena Democratic School, rule infractions and interpersonal conflicts are resolved using sophisticated restorative justice tools.

Age-mixing is one of the most potent developmental experiences at Zena Democratic School.

Each student aged 14+ is automatically enrolled in our High School Advisor Program;

Screens are allowed at school, with restrictions.

At Zena Democratic School, a Cooperative (coop) is a group of like-minded students and staff who organize around a common interest, like music, art, or sports.

At Zena Democratic School, the jobs of administration and maintenance are divided into roles called Clerkships;

Every student and staff at Zena Democratic School is assigned a cleaning job by the Physical Plant Clerk.

Students may receive a diploma if they elect to undergo our internal diploma process.

Zena Democratic School is located on a parcel of 67 wooded acres in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

Zena Democratic School is a direct democracy; each student and member of the staff has an equal vote in managing all aspects of the school’s operation.