Program

AT NATURAL CREATIVITY

Young people explore collaboration, creativity, and compassion in a close-knit environment that values each individual and their role in the larger community. Facilitators focus on fostering personal development, relationships, and community growth.

NC SNAPSHOT

PROGRAM DAYS: MONDAY - THURSDAY (enroll for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days; 2 is average)

PROGRAM HOURS: 9AM - 3PM

ENROLLMENT OPEN TO: AGES 4 - 18

PROGRAM YEAR: SEPTEMBER - JUNE

PROGRAM FEES: SEE FEES HERE

We accept inquiries throughout the year. We focus on new enrollment for the fall starting in March. We focus on filling our spots completely by September; we generally do not have space for partial-year enrollment.

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FAQs
ABOUT
SELF-DIRECTED EDUCATION
AND NC

WHAT WE OFFER

Natural Creativity is a Self-Directed Education Resource Center located in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. At NC, families who choose an alternative to conventional schooling receive support through our partnership model. This model is centered around exploration of a wide range of materials and opportunities for collaboration with staff, families and other young people.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the global self-directed education movement

OUR SPACE

Our home base is a 6000-sq-ft space in Germantown. We encourage self-direction by stocking our space with engaging materials that inspire our young people to connect their motivations to their environment. We have an art room, makerspace, woodshop, kitchen, quiet space, and all the little manipulable pieces, games, and toys you can imagine. We regularly go outside to nearby Cloverly Park or a community garden a few blocks away. Trips and excursions bring us into contact with the larger neighborhood and city.

DAY TO DAY

Young people direct their own days by pursuing activities that interest them, whether that's responding to a facilitator's invitation, creating with friends, or following their own inner compass. They gather in age-segmented groups for two meetings per day: a 30-min Morning Meeting and 30-min afternoon Group Time, along with daily community responsibilities/clean up tasks. Beyond that, they are free to do as they wish, as long as they do not infringe on others pursuing their goals.

PROGRAM