Founded in 1969 in an inner-city neighborhood, the Albany Free School is based on real freedom, community, democratic principles, and affection and trust between teachers and students. This book provides an in-depth history of the Free School, including a brief analysis of its place in the broader scheme of things; describes the school with reference to the various alternatives to conventional schooling; and addresses certain fundamental subjects often neglected in our national thinking about children. Various anecdotes describe ways of working with children as unique individuals, based on faith in every child's inborn desire to learn. The anecdotes are organized into chapters that demonstrate school philosophy about handling disruptive or aggressive children, the apprenticeship model of learning, children's emotional and interpersonal issues, fear, concentration, television's effect on children, religion and spirituality, race and class, sexuality, teaching, and community. The concept of community is central to the school's philosophy. Children profit immensely from exposure to the practice of community at the Free School, because it establishes an interior template that helps them find personal meaning based on their ability to connect with others. (TD)