The Pearl Remote Democratic High School

The Pearl Remote Democratic High School is an online, democratic-learning community where teens have a voice in shaping school norms, courses, and projects. Instead of a rigid top-down schedule, students join advisories, propose and vote on offerings, and pursue self-directed work with guidance from staff and mentors. Families drawn to unschooling or self-directed education appreciate the blend of freedom and structure—there’s real accountability, but also significant flexibility. Tuition is comparable to other small private programs, reflecting the personalized attention and low student-to-staff ratios. It’s best suited to motivated teens who are ready to participate in community decision-making and take ownership of their learning path.