Unschool with OpenEd

What is Unschooling?

Unschooling is a child-led approach to education where learning happens naturally through living, playing, and following interests rather than through structured curriculum. It values intrinsic motivation and trusts children to pursue knowledge that matters to them at their own pace. With OpenEd, your unschooling journey can be enriched with additional resources while maintaining the self-directed philosophy you value.

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How OpenEd Supports Unschooling Families

OpenEd partners with innovative public schools to provide resources and funding that respect the self-directed nature of unschooling:

  • Access funding for resources that support your child's evolving interests
  • Maintain the freedom of child-led learning while receiving reimbursement for educational expenses
  • Connect with a community of like-minded families
  • Document natural learning in a way that honors the unschooling philosophy
  • Receive support from advisors who understand and respect unschooling principles

Natural Learning Principles in Action

OpenEd's approach aligns beautifully with unschooling principles:

Trust the Child

Just as unschooling trusts children to pursue what interests them, OpenEd supports families in following their child's natural curiosity, providing resources as interests evolve.

Learning Through Living

Unschoolers understand that meaningful learning happens through real-life experiences. OpenEd acknowledges and supports this by recognizing a wide range of activities as valuable educational experiences.

Freedom with Support

Unschooling offers freedom from rigid structures while providing guidance when requested. OpenEd offers similar flexibility with optional support when needed.

Success Stories from Unschooling Families

"I was worried that enrolling in any program would compromise our unschooling approach. OpenEd has been the perfect match because they truly understand child-led learning. We document what our children are naturally exploring, and receive funding for the resources that support their interests. It's unschooling with a safety net."

—Tara, OpenEd parent

"Our son became fascinated with birds last year. Through OpenEd, we were able to get binoculars, field guides, and even fund a trip to a wildlife sanctuary. When his interest shifted to astronomy, we seamlessly redirected our resources to support that exploration. This is exactly what unschooling should be, and OpenEd makes it financially possible."

—Jordan, OpenEd parent

How It Works: Unschooling with OpenEd

  1. Apply to OpenEd
    Complete our simple application to begin the enrollment process. Our team will guide you through each step while respecting your unschooling philosophy.
  2. Create a Flexible Framework
    Design an open-ended educational approach that respects your child's autonomy while meeting basic program requirements. We'll help you craft a plan that supports unschooling principles.
  3. Document Natural Learning
    Submit brief weekly activity logs that capture your child's natural learning journey. This takes just 5 minutes per week and can be adapted to honor the spontaneous nature of unschooling.
  4. Access Resources as Interests Evolve
    Receive reimbursement for approved educational expenses that support your child's changing interests and access additional resources through the program.
  5. Connect with Community
    Join optional events, connect with other unschooling families, and share experiences in a supportive environment.

Unschooling-Friendly Resources Available Through OpenEd

OpenEd can provide reimbursement for a variety of resources that support unschooling, including:

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Ready to Enrich Your Unschooling Journey?

‍Apply for OpenEd now.

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OpenEd partners with innovative public schools to make personalized education accessible. Unschool options and curricula are accessible through our program. Learn more about how open education works | Explore other educational approaches you can blend through OpenEd.