Arlington Liber Academy

Arlington Liber Academy is a community-created school that provides weekly, supplemental classes with a liberal arts focus where students are mentored by their peers' parents and have stewardship over what they learn through mentored projects (mentors are second witnesses to what the parents are teaching). It is an agency-based educational environment where students are invited to own their education and choose to learn rather than feel forced or compelled to do so. It is founded on the philosophy and principles of Leadership Education or Freedom Education as outlined in the books, A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille and Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning by Oliver and Rachel DeMille.



Arlington Liber Academy Board of Directors - 

Chair/Principal Mentor - Kandice Johnson

Scholar School Director - Rebekah Kowis

Junior School Director - Amanda Lee

New Member Coordinator/Registrar - Tabitha Edwards

Parent Representative/Public Relations/Event Coordinator - Venus Crumley

Treasurer - Dominique Whitmarsh

Secretary - Bethany Cowin

What is Leadership Education?

Leadership Education presupposes:

Leadership Education uses the principles of the Seven Keys of Great Teaching:

Leadership Education follows four phases of learning:

Resources for further reading:

http://www.tjed.org

What is Liber?

Latin for tree bark; it was used to make papyrus (paper) onto which one would write contracts; those who could read, write, and engage in contract were known as the "liber" or the "free people"; root word of library, liberty, liberal arts.

To become Liber is to gain the education necessary in order to become and remain free. It is understanding the structure and anatomy of freedom in order to recognize, promote and defend freedom. It is a liberal arts education that comes from a broad and deep study of "the classics in history, law, government, and the arts. This kind of education consists of not only knowledge and information, but wisdom, understanding, character, competence and vision." (A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion, Oliver DeMille, p. 149)

Our Vision & Mission

Vision

To build liber communities of families endeavoring to:

Mission

Education for Freedom--To provide an educational environment that:


What is a New Commonwealth School?

A New Commonwealth School is a Community-Created school that provides weekly, supplemental classes with a liberal arts focus where students are mentored by their peers and parents and have stewardship over what they learn through mentored projects (mentors are second witnesses to what the parents are teaching). It is an agency-based educational environment where students are invited to own their education and choose to learn rather than feel forced or compelled to do so.

New Commonwealth Schools also create an environment in which families of like culture can study the classics and become great citizen-leaders by gaining a greater vision of their country and themselves. A commonwealth signifies "the common good or happiness; thus it is a form to secure the public good.[1]" While usually associated with governments of countries, "commonwealth" can be applied to many other aspects of society. It takes the "co-op" group to the next level: to a community that self-governs, that exists beyond the creators whose children are now raised and gone, and can stand the test of time.

There are currently over 30 well established New Commonwealth Schools in the United States with more than 30 in different phases of the journey to becoming a New Commonwealth School.

Junior School is for children aged two to twelve. The focus of Junior School is igniting passion for learning through play and exploration. Junior School classes are play and project based.


Scholar phase is the natural transition that occurs in students, ages approximately 12 to 14, who have had a strong Core and Love of Learning phase. During the scholar phase a student begins to think more abstractly and transitions from needing strong guidance into a self-directed learner. This is accomplished through reading of classics in all different academic areas, in-depth discussion and writing about what they have learned, and mentored projects.

Arlington Liber Academy has a strong fine arts program. Offerings can include classes in visual arts, theatre, and music.

ALA meets at:

First Christian Church Arlington

910 S. Collins

Arlington, TX 76010

For the 2020-2021 school year, classes are on Thursdays from September 10th to April 29th. Junior School takes place from 9:45am-3:00pm, and Scholar School takes place from 8:45am-3:00pm.