How it works

The time, space, and flexibility to learn.

At Mariner, there is no mandatory or predetermined curriculum taught. Instead, we offer diverse, engaging, and optional classes, workshops, and tutoring that are taught by staff, parents, community volunteers, and even our members. The topics of the classes and workshops are geared around the interests of our members or the adults teaching them. At Mariner, members choose how to spend their time- whether it be participating in the day’s classes or workshops, pursuing their own independent studies, creating art, using technology, inventing a new game, socializing, or playing. The role of our staff is to guide, support, and mentor our learners as they embark on the exciting journey of learning who they are and what brings them joy and fulfillment.

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Because we’re not bound by the restrictions of a curriculum, grade-level expectations, or state standardized testing, we have the ability to focus on ensuring our members are developing the characteristics and skills necessary to live a happy, healthy, self-sufficient life. We focus greatly on self-confidence and self-respect, empathy, integrity, self-control, adaptability, curiosity and creativity, perseverance, and optimism.

If you’d like to learn more about self-directed education, take a look at our resources by clicking here!