North Carolina
Crystal: Giving Freedom to Explore
A handmade sign inside the Gastonia Freedom School reads, “We are capable of amazing things.” And who can deny this? When you meet the diverse group of young learners here, you quickly realize that this isn’t a traditional school. It’s a place that sees children as whole people.
Through self-directed education, young people of all abilities are able to be who they are—and decide what their learning experiences look like. And families are able to build spaces that are tailored to support the unique needs of their young person.
The most important outcome of self-directed learning is that somebody is happy.”
Crystal fosters welcoming learning environments that let neurodivergent kids shine. As a facilitator at this self-directed learning center, she creates opportunities for children with disabilities, such as autism and ADHD, to tap into their curiosities and independence.
We say in self-directed learning that kids are learning all the time.”
Here, children have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and just be themselves. There is no top-down structure telling students how to spend every minute of the day. And because of that, the children at Gastonia Freedom School are able to experience true educational freedom.
Located in a historically Black neighborhood, Gastonia Freedom School provides families with working parents the opportunity to offer their children an unstructured, self-directed education. Too often, Crystal notes, the independent meaningful learning movement is led by white middle class families, who have the resources and access to guide their children’s education by staying home with them.
Independent meaningful learning is perfect for autistic children who “want some control over their environment” just because of sensory issues, Crystal explains. Here, they have that ability—that freedom—to chart their own path and decide how they can learn most effectively.
We want people just to be themselves. And so, in this space, they can be themselves.”
Crystal on creating inclusive spaces that honor our individuality
① Crystal runs Gastonia Freedom School with her mother, Cassandra.
② Gastonia Freedom School specializes in supporting neurodiverse children.
③ At Gastonia Freedom School, children are encouraged to pursue activities that bring them joy.
④ Before beginning Gastonia Freedom School, Crystal was an engineer.
Gastonia Freedom School is a testament to the importance of giving children agency over their daily lives in a space where they’re not only allowed—but encouraged—to chart their own learning journey.
Crystal and her mother prove that this type of education doesn’t require extensive training or expensive facilities. Every day at their small school in little Gastonia, young people are developing skills and discovering new passions that will stay with them for the rest of their lives—and they’re doing it with nothing more than a few simple resources, a safe environment, and the support of some caring guardians.
Ready to explore independent meaningful learning?
We’re here to help you take the next step.
Our Getting Started series covers the basics, answers key questions, and helps you take the first steps toward learning in a way that feels right for your family.