Join us for our 2024 Fall Open House!

Are you looking for a school that gives children their own autonomy to learn? Join us for our 2024 Fall Open House! Tour the school, talk to current staff, students and parents about our school and the Sudbury model of self-directed Education! Email us at tallgrasssudbury@gmail.com to RSPV

Pictures of students learning together, playing together, and creating together at Tallgrass Sudbury School along with details of the open house on Aug 7th

WE’RE MOVING!

We are excited to announce that we will be moving to La Grange over the summer! Starting at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, we will be operating out of the First Congregational Church of La Grange. Our new space is larger and is equipped with a full, commercial kitchen, dining hall with a stage, garden area, courtyard, game room, art room, and several general classrooms. We can’t wait to start welcoming new and returning families and to enjoy all that La Grange has to offer!

Stay tuned for more pictures once our Moving Committee has done some renovations and decorating of the space!

To learn more about enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact our admissions team at info@tallgrasssudbury.org.

5/11 Play Day

Tallgrass Sudbury School will be hosting a FREE play day on Thursday, May 11th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Use these hours to enjoy coffee with friends, run errands, or just enjoy some time for yourself. Parents are also welcome to stay! The event will take place in the school's activity room and will be run by Tallgrass staff. Attendees will also have an opportunity to interact and play with some Tallgrass students who will be helping out. Toys, games, and a light snack will be provided. Children must be 2-6 years of age and potty trained to attend. Spots are limited. RSVP VIA EVENTBRITE REQUIRED.

Help Grow a Unique School

Tallgrass Sudbury School, located in Riverside, IL, near the Brookfield Zoo, is a democratic K-12 school community where students pursue their interests at their own pace and in their own way. Tallgrass is seeking a full-time staff member. 

Unlike at most schools, staff members at Sudbury schools are not expected to teach or to direct students’ activities. This position will involve supporting the overall work of the school as well as some administrative tasks. This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic community dedicated to living out its democratic principles, and to learn about self-directed education in action. 

The hiring process includes an interview with the student-run Staffing Committee, an interview with our School Meeting (all students and staff), and a vote by School Meeting members on the preferred candidate. 

In a typical week as a staff member at Tallgrass, you might:

  • Help students with day-to-day needs like learning to use things around the school, conflict resolution, and problem solving

  • Serve as a jury member on the Restoration Committee

  • Take students outside to the yard, nearby parks, or other off-campus locations

  • Work with committees that include staff and students to make decisions collaboratively

  • Work with other staff and students to troubleshoot issues around the school and keep the physical plant and administrative systems running well 

  • Talk to parents about questions and issues 

  • Assist with marketing and enrollment functions

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ability to interact with students as equals, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

  • Understanding of the Sudbury model. If you’re not familiar with the Sudbury model, please spend some time looking at our website before applying to make sure it aligns with your interests and values: https://www.tallgrasssudbury.org/. 

  • No degree or teaching certification is required. Tallgrass does not prioritize degrees in employment decisions.

  • Be able to act as models of responsibility, resourcefulness, initiative, and good conflict resolution, and be willing to listen to and accept feedback.

  • Strong communication skills; the ideal candidate does not shy away from productive confrontation and is open and honest in communication.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and family data.

  • Ability to pass required background checks before beginning employment.

  • Tallgrass is particularly interested in diverse candidates

You will join a team of staff serving about 30 students, ages 5 to 18. Tallgrass hopes to grow our small community significantly in the near future, and the ideal candidate will be willing and able to act as one of the leaders in this effort. Work hours are 8:30 to 4:30. Occasional time outside of school hours is expected for meetings and events. The annual salary for this position will be between 36-40K, dependent on experience. We follow a typical school year schedule, and staff also do some work over the summer. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume to info@tallgrasssudbury.org. If you have additional questions, contact us either by email or by phone at 708.777.1037.  The application period will close on March 31 at midnight.  

Help Us Find Our Next Home! 

We are looking for space to rent for the 2023-2024 school year.

Here is a summary of our needs:

  • 3,000-5,000 sq. ft. of indoor space

  • Multiple (6+) rooms of different sizes (do not need to be conventional “classrooms”)

  • Access to kitchen/cooking facilities

  • Some outdoor space on property or within walking distance of property

  • Within 5 miles of our current location (85 Kimbark Rd., Riverside, IL)

  • Preferably no more than half a mile from Metra BNSF train stop

  • Preferably handicap accessible

Please email info@tallgrasssudbury.org with any leads!

2/9 Play Day

Tallgrass Sudbury School will be hosting a FREE play day on Thursday, February 9th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Use these hours to enjoy coffee with friends, run errands, or just enjoy some time for yourself. Parents are also welcome to stay! The event will take place in the school's activity room and will be run by Tallgrass staff. Attendees will also have an opportunity to interact and play with some Tallgrass students who will be helping out. Toys, games, and a light snack will be provided. Children must be 2-6 years of age and potty trained to attend. Spots are limited. RSVP VIA EVENTBRITE REQUIRED.

February Open House

When: Thursday, February 2, 2023

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Tallgrass Sudbury School

85 Kimbark Rd.

Riverside, IL 60546

What: Join us for a presentation about the benefits of a Tallgrass education and talk with the school's staff, students, and current parents.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tallgrass-sudbury-school-february-open-house-tickets-518050812927

12/9 Play Day

Tallgrass Sudbury School will be hosting a FREE play day on Friday, December 9th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Use these hours to enjoy coffee with friends, run errands, or just enjoy some time for yourself. Parents are also welcome to stay! The event will take place in the school's activity room and will be run by Tallgrass staff. Attendees will also have an opportunity to interact and play with some Tallgrass students who will be helping out. Toys, games, and a light snack will be provided. Children must be 2-6 years of age and potty trained to attend. Spots are limited. RSVP VIA EVENTBRITE REQUIRED.

Support the Tallgrass End of Year Giving Campaign!

Tallgrass, the only Sudbury school in Illinois, inspires passion and changes lives. We love being part of a school where students are excited to come to school in the morning and look forward to returning to school after breaks. Tallgrass students love their school, and they need your help to keep it strong for years to come.

To continue to support our students in their self-directed pursuits, we have set a goal to raise $2,500 by December 31. 

Tallgrass is funded 100% by tuition and donations from generous individuals. A quarter of our students come from families making under $25,000 per year. 

Every gift, no matter the size, gets us closer to our goal and strengthens our mission of supporting students in their self-directed education. Tallgrass is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are fully tax deductible.

Will you make a gift to help preserve Tallgrass’s future? Donate via our GoFundMe, and then share it on your social media to spread the word. Or reply to this email to donate via check or another method that is convenient for you.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and self-directed education! Make your donation today.

Sincerely,

The Tallgrass Community

Upcoming Events at Tallgrass

November Play Day

When: Thursday, November 10, 2022

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where: Tallgrass Sudbury School

85 Kimbark Rd.

Riverside, IL 60546

What: Join us for a FREE play day on Thursday, November 10th. Use these hours to enjoy coffee with friends, run errands, or just enjoy some time for yourself. Parents are also welcome to stay!

November Open House

When: Thursday, November 17, 2022

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Tallgrass Sudbury School

85 Kimbark Rd.

Riverside, IL 60546

What: Join us for a presentation about the benefits of a Tallgrass education and talk with the school's staff, students, and current parents.

10/13 Play Day

Tallgrass Sudbury School will be hosting a FREE play day on Thursday, October 13th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Use these hours to enjoy coffee with friends, run errands, or just enjoy some time for yourself. Parents are also welcome to stay! The event will take place in the school's activity room and will be run by Tallgrass staff. Attendees will also have an opportunity to interact and play with some Tallgrass students who will be helping out. Toys, games, and a light snack will be provided. Children must be 2-6 years of age and potty trained to attend. Spots are limited. RSVP VIA EVENTBRITE REQUIRED.

Virtual Graduate Panel Event

Curious about what happens to students after Sudbury? Join us on April 9th, 11am-12pm for a discussion with 3 recent alumni! This event will take place over Zoom. Meeting info will be sent upon RSVP.

Meet one of our graduate panelists, Andrea!

Andrea followed a traditional schooling path somewhat successfully until high school when she realized she needed something more accepting of creativity and freedom. She ended up finding Tallgrass and spent two and a half wonderful years there. Once she felt like she had developed all the skills she needed to move on to the next chapter of her life, she decided to go to Denmark and attend a circus school for a year. Now she is taking a little pause and preparing for the next adventure!

Meet one of our graduate panelists, Matt!

Matt attended Tallgrass as a student from 2013 to 2017 and returned as a staff member from 2018 to 2020. He is currently attending Morton College where he is studying Business Management. This Fall he will take part in an 18-month Bachelor's program at National Louis University, where he will be majoring in Business Administration. Matt is also a coffee enthusiast. He works as a barista and production assistant at Whirlwind Coffee Co., and is working toward becoming a roaster there. He plans to stay in the coffee industry in one way or another for the foreseeable future. His other hobbies include biking, exploring, and thrift shopping.

Meet one of our graduate panelists, Kimberly!

Kimberly attended Tallgrass from 2009-2015 and wore a great many hats, including Elections clerk, JC clerk, and School Meeting Chair! She spent a couple years at Triton Community College, then transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated last spring in the top three percent of her college with a degree in Communication. She now works at AmTrust Financial as a worker’s compensation insurance adjuster.

January Open House

When: Wednesday, January 19, 2022

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Online (Zoom meeting info will be sent out upon RSVP.)

What: Join us for a presentation about the benefits of a Tallgrass education and talk with the school's staff, students, and current parents.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tallgrass-sudbury-school-january-open-house-tickets-227952902267

Tallgrass Holiday Fundraising Campaign

Tallgrass, the only Sudbury school in Illinois, inspires passion and changes lives. We’re proud to be part of a school where students are excited to come to school in the morning and look forward to returning to school after breaks. Our students love their school, and they need your help to keep it strong for years to come.

Despite the difficult conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, our students continue to thrive. So far this school year students have caught fish from the Des Plaines River, organized and run a haunted house in the Activity Room, completely refurbished the school's computers, and accomplished cooking goals, from grilled cheese to Friendsgiving dinner. 

To continue to support our students in their self-directed pursuits, we have set a goal to raise $3,000 by December 31.

Tallgrass is funded 100% by tuition and donations from generous individuals. A quarter of our students come from families making under $25,000 per year. Every gift, no matter the size, gets us closer to our goal and strengthens our mission of supporting students in their self-directed education. Tallgrass is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are fully tax deductible.

Will you make a gift to help preserve Tallgrass’s future? Make a note on the Paypal donation form to donate in the name of a student or someone else you love. Or contact the school to donate via check or another method that is convenient for you.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and self-directed education! Make your donation today.

Sincerely,

The Tallgrass Community

November Open House

When: Tuesday, November 9, 2021

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Tallgrass Sudbury School

85 Kimbark Rd.

Riverside, IL 60546

What: Join us for a presentation about the benefits of a Tallgrass education, get a tour, and talk with the school's staff, students, and current parents.

This event will take place IN PERSON and in accordance with CDC guidelines. RSVP required for planning and social distancing purposes.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tallgrass-sudbury-school-november-open-house-tickets-200969704797