See what happens when kids & teachers are empowered to run a school on This American Life

Brooklyn Free School (BFS) was featured as part of the radio broadcast This American Life the weekend of, January 15-16, 2011, as part of their series titled "Kid Politics" - stories where kids are being handed adult sized decisions of all kinds. You can listen to the broadcast here. It is the third story (begins at 38.00 mins) featured in the three act series.

BFS is a grassroots movement formed in the early fall of 2003, offering a true
educational alternative to the traditional orthodoxy of education now dominant
in most public and private schools in New York City. The community is composed
entirely of parents, students, educators and others who believe that freedom and
democracy are not just textbook concepts, but a way of living and learning - for
our children as well as ourselves. BFS is dedicated to the belief that all
students must be free to develop naturally as human beings in a non-coercive
educational environment where they are empowered to make decisions affecting
their everyday lives and that of their community.

In January 2010, the school acquired its own building at 372 Clinton Avenue in
the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn. This 5-story brownstone has helped the
school grow in its scope and focus. For more information on this groundbreaking
educational option, you can call the school's director, Alan Berger at
718-499-2707 or visit their website at: www.brooklynfreeschool.org

The show will air in New York at WNYC 820 AM on Saturday, January 15 at noon,
WNYC 93.9 FM on Saturday, January 15 at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 16 at 7
p.m. For other ways to listen outside New York City and in the future, visit:
www.thisamericanlife.org/listen

This American Life is a weekly public radio show broadcast on more than 500
stations to about 1.7 million listeners. It is produced by Chicago Public Media,
distributed by Public Radio International, and has won all of the major
broadcasting awards. It is also often the most popular podcast in the country,
with more than a half million people downloading each week.

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