What, Where, & How? 

Daily Schedule

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RTS offers programing option Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm.

         

Within that structure learners may sign up for one, two, or three days per week. Please note, most charter schools limit attendance at Rock Tree Sky to two days. If you are enrolled with a charter school, please refer to your charter school for any restrictions on days of attendance. 

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Your child's schedule is set upon enrollment. We strongly request that families stick with that schedule (no swapping days!*). This is to support the learners in creating a culture and developing a community bond with their peers that regularly attend RTS together.  (*You will be charged a small fee if a change in scheduling does need to be made). 

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What structure is there?

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In a mixed age, self-directed setting, you might be wondering how RTS is able to provide the structure that children need to feel secure in their environment. Rock Tree Sky has a team of devoted mentors that do the work of holding the container for our learners to flourish. With such freedom and autonomy within our program, it is important to uphold some simple structures that support our learners as they navigate the richness of the dynamic community and campus culture. 

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Our Three Agreements

 

Borrowed from from our friends at the Village Free School in Portland OR, Our Three Agreements are:

 

• Take care of yourself

• Take care of each other

• Take care of the space around you

 

We request that all members of the RTS community agree to these upon arrival. These agreements are our tools for holding ourselves and others accountable for how we show up at Rock Tree Sky. If it is noticed that someone may be bending or breaking an agreement we address that with our conflict resolution process based on nonviolent communication.

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Band Meetings 

 

Upon admittance, every learner is assigned to a "band" (definition: group, camp, or tribe, the simplest form of human society.).  A band is an age-based group of learners that meet together every morning and afternoon with the guidance of a mentor. To learn more about how bands are structured please see Our Programs page. 

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Self-Governance

 

Just as our staff is arranged in a cooperative structure, so too is our community arranged in a way so that every learner and mentor has a voice and equal footing in decision making. To manage community life, an all-program meeting may be called at any time by any RTS member. During the meeting it may be decided that problem solving around that issue should be taken to a "culture committee." Culture committee meetings are focused group meetings comprised of individuals who feel personally invested in making the proposed agreements regarding the issue at hand. Once a proposal is prepared, the motion is adopted into practice or moved to a vote for further consideration. 

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Developmental Relationships

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Rock Tree Sky is founded on the principles of Developmental Relationships:

 

• Express Care: We strive to ensure every learner feels valued and supported, affirming their worth beyond their achievements.

• Challenge Growth: At RTS we encourage learners to stretch and grow, fostering resilience and a growth mindset.

• Provide Support: We offer guidance and support, helping learners navigate challenges and develop problem-solving skills.

• Share Power: We seek to recognize the voice of each learner. As learners participate in decisions that affect their education and community culture, their ownership and responsibility develops.

• Expand Possibilities: By introducing learners to new ideas and opportunities, we aim to inspire and broaden their horizons.

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This is based on this research from the Search Institute.