Navigating Challenges and Fostering Growth: The 10 Most Common Parent Struggles at The Forest School

At The Forest School: An Acton Academy, nestled within the heart of Trilith, a unique educational journey unfolds for children, guided by principles of self-directed learning, purpose education, real world learning, storytelling, character building, and holistic development. While our innovative approach offers boundless opportunities for exploration and growth, it also presents its own set of challenges for parents and caregivers navigating this unconventional educational learning model. Over the last six years, my team and I have watched closely as families adjust to innovative learning. In this post, I delve into the top 10 most common struggles encountered at The Forest School and explore how our dedicated staff work to support families through these obstacles.

1. Embracing Failure: One of the fundamental principles at The Forest School is embracing failure as a natural part of the learning process. However, some parents may struggle with this concept, preferring adult-driven consequences over natural ones. To address this, the school emphasizes the importance of resilience and learning from mistakes, providing parent coffees and resources for parents to understand the value of failure in fostering growth and independence in their children.
2. Self-Pacing and Socratic Questioning: Concerns about learners falling behind due to the self-paced nature of learning and the emphasis on Socratic questioning are not uncommon. To alleviate these concerns, the school encourages parents to trust in the process and emphasizes that each child's journey is unique. Regular check-ins, bi-annual conferences and progress assessments help parents understand their child's development trajectory, fostering a sense of confidence and reassurance.
3. Communications: Keeping learners at the center of communication can be challenging, especially in a community where adult-to-adult conversations may dominate. The Forest School prioritizes open dialogue between learners and their parents, caregivers, and Guides, ensuring that discussions not just revolve around but originate from the needs and interests of the learners themselves. Check-ins and parent coffees on effective communication strategies further facilitate this collaborative approach.
4. Exposure to Older Content: In a mixed-age setting, younger learners may encounter content or conversations beyond their years. The school acknowledges this challenge and provides guidance on age-appropriate interactions while also fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity among peers of different ages.
5. Newness of the Learning Program: Transitioning to a new learning program can be daunting for both parents and learners. Little feels familiar, and the lingo is hard to remember. The Forest School offers onboarding, parent buddy programs, and ongoing support to help families acclimate to the school's unique processes and terminology, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.
6. Learner Self-Governance: Watching learners struggle with self-governance and accountability measures can be challenging for parents accustomed to more top-down environments. The school encourages parents to trust in their child's ability to make rules worth following, learn from experiences, and make informed decisions. The school’s staff provide guidance and scaffolding when needed to support the development of autonomy and responsibility.
7. Agendas: Some parents may have specific goals for their children's educational journey, which may not align with the open-ended approach of The Forest School. The staff engage in ongoing conversations with parents, helping them understand the value of self-directed learning and the importance of fostering a sense of curiosity and exploration in their children.
8. Math Learning: Balancing procedural and conceptual elements of math learning, especially in an e-learning environment, requires careful guidance. The school emphasizes a deep understanding of mathematical concepts over rote memorization, offering math labs, hands-on activities and real-world applications to enrich learning experiences and promote long-term retention.
9. Tracking Progress: Without traditional grades or dashboards, tracking progress can be challenging for learners, Guides, and parents and caregivers. The Forest School employs alternative assessment methods such as portfolio reviews (Practicals), self-assessments, and project-based evaluations, providing parents with a holistic view of their child's growth and achievements.
10. Friends: In a small school community, finding one's peer group can be difficult. If a learner burns bridges, reconciling takes humility, patience, and hard work. The school fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, organizing conflict resolution, community-building activities, peer mentorship programs, and opportunities for collaboration to help children forge meaningful connections with their peers.

Those are the top 10 challenges we hear from families. (Parents, did I miss any?)

Though navigating the challenges of The Forest School's unique educational approach may feel daunting at times, it is also immensely rewarding. By trusting the process and embracing a steadfast belief in the potential of each learner, parents and caregivers can support their children in embarking on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth in a diverse-by-design, character-forging community.

Dr. Thigpen is Academic Director of the Leading School Transformation program at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, and head of The Forest School and Institute for Self Directed Learning in Trilith south of Atlanta.