Equipping leaders and teachers to unleash the next generation.

An Epidemic of Dependent Learners

The Problem

The traditional designs of schools and classrooms have created an epidemic of dependent learners unprepared to do the complex thinking and creative problem solving required for life’s next steps. And a disproportionate number of poor students, English learners, and students of color are unable to work to their full potential because of ongoing exposure to rote memorization, undemanding curriculum, and a lack of exposure to productive struggle and freedom in learning.

We envision a world where every graduate is a self-directed, independent learner.

The Institute For Self Directed Learning

Our Purpose

We bring together leaders, teachers, and researchers to design learning environments that inspire and empower youth to take charge of their learning. The Institute of self-directed learning:

  • ensures a society of citizens ready to do the hard and critical work of participating in democracy

  • levels the playing field in an otherwise inequitable system of education,

  • provides incentives and avenues for learners to launch new innovations that will shape tomorrow, and

  • empowers each person to follow their passions and discover her or his calling.

Engage With Us


Our online learning community that enables teachers, administrations, and schools to deploy research-based practices for self-directed learning in their context. Purchase do-at-your-own-pace courses

The Academy

We partner with district leaders, school leaders, CMO leaders, and non-traditional school settings to further their mission as they build or transition their learning environments to promote self directed learning.

Light-touch Advisory

For leaders and organization with a larger project, or larger budget, we facilitate deep-dive consulting. We have partnered with school, CMO, and district leaders as well as national education organizations and networks.

Deep Dive Consulting

Collaborators and Partners

The Institute is housed at The Forest School in Trilith (south of Atlanta, GA, US) and works in collaboration with schools and organizations in the US and beyond…

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