The Seattle Free School is for the community by the community. All are welcome. No money ever exchanges hands. All we exchange are skills, knowledge and experiences.
The Free School is the practice of synergy. We come together within the community to share knowledge, skills and experiences so the joy of learning, and learning together, can be kept alive.
As a decentralized network we maintain a presence throughout the city, accessible to anyone, anywhere in Seattle. By functioning outside of the mainstream economic system we practice what we believe: that wisdom is something to be celebrated, not sold; that a fulfilling education should be available for all those seeking to learn; that an education and access to information is a right, not a privilege.
Learning is a lifelong process and throughout that process we are all students and teachers; and that within our local community we already posses the skills and knowledge we need or desire to learn. We simply need a safe, inclusive forum in which they can be shared.
The Free School is an exercise in empowerment, an alternative perspective to the divisive culture attempting to permeate our community. Here we believe that, together, we can learn anything. Here, knowledge is presented as a joy, not a threat. Here, we come together to share our passions, our curiousity and to welcome the diverse and vibrant community in this city we call home.
Q: Does Seattle Free School solicit for donations?
A: No, Seattle Free School is truly free. We do not take donations of cash ever. It's a completely volunteer effort that charges nothing and costs next to nothing. While we would appreciate your donations of time, skills, a print card for a local shop and other such things, we will never ask you for cash.
Q: Who can come to a Free School class?
A: Anyone and everyone is welcome at a free school class. Our underlying goal is to help integrate people of various economic, political and cultural backgrounds through education and sharing of knowledge. A few classes will have size restrictions due to the nature of the class or the location.
Q: What about kids?
A: Kids are welcome at virtually all Seattle Free School classes. The exceptions will be when there are serious safety issues. Our Auto Repair class may not be an appropriate class for kids as the space is extremely small and there are safety concerns in this environment. Also, children are welcome at our soap making class, however they will not be able to participate as fully as adults, due to concerns about lye.