Every child deserves a school that trusts them.
The Foundation for Self-Directed Learning makes learner-driven education possible for families who couldn't otherwise afford it.
Why this matters
Self-directed learning works. Children who are trusted with real choices become adults who can make them. But the schools built on that principle are small, independent, and largely unsubsidized — which means the families who most need an alternative are often the ones priced out of it.
We started this fund because we kept meeting those families. A parent whose son had been written off by three schools. A daughter who stopped reading for pleasure in second grade and started again at ten, on her own terms, once nobody was assigning it.
“We watched our son’s glow return after just a few short months at Pace. His curiosity came back. His confidence grew. Most importantly, he was joyful again. As parents, that is worth more than we can put into words.”
Where your gift goes
A full year of tuition is $13,400. No single gift covers that, and none has to. Scholarships are funded together — a dozen Nesting donors put one child through the year.
All gifts go to the general scholarship fund, which the board draws from to award tuition assistance.
How awards are made
Scholarships are awarded by an independent board. Applications open Jan 1, 2027. Board members and their families are not eligible.
The Foundation for Self-Directed Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 88-1065875. .