Tallgrass Sudbury School is a true alternative to conventional education based on freedom, trust, and respect.
Tallgrass welcomes students ages 5 to 18. Our school is located in Riverside, IL, a near western suburb of Chicago, with students drawn from throughout the Chicago area.
Tallgrass is one of about 50 schools worldwide modeled after the Sudbury philosophy of education, pioneered by Sudbury Valley School. Sudbury schools facilitate children's natural desire to learn and to teach themselves.
Quick Stats (2024)
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 26 students
- Yearly Tuition: $8,600
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Year Founded
2008
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
26 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
sliding scale based on income
School Notes
- In a Sudbury school, kids create their own curriculum and are free to spend their time however they choose. When kids are free to manage their time and education they develop confidence, independence, responsibility, and resourcefulness. These qualities are important for life and will serve students well after school, making it easier for them to obtain further knowledge and achieve goals. The school community also plays a large role in student development. Students learn to balance their needs with those of the communitys.The Sudbury model does not have strict roles for students and teachers. Every member of the school is both a student and a teacher at any given time. The role of staff members is to mentor and help students seek resources, not to be an authority figure and tell students what to do or not do.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Tallgrass Sudbury School cost?
Tallgrass Sudbury School's tuition is approximately $8,600 for private students.
When is the application deadline for Tallgrass Sudbury School?
The application deadline for Tallgrass Sudbury School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 12/8/2022
Tallgrass is an excellent school for families who value intrinsic motivation, interpersonal communication, social justice, and natural curiosity. As a parent, I have been overjoyed to see the confidence my children have. They are articulate and thoughtful in their communication. They aren't afraid to try something new because they know failure is just part of learning. They wake up excited to go to school and it's so fulfilling to see how happy they are.
5 12/8/2022
The best decision we made for our son, he has greatly improved his attitude and well-being. He has been more positive and excited to go to school.
5 12/8/2022
My boys came from the public school setting. As we were exploring other options for them as they wanted something that had their interests first and I wanted them to become more self-aware. Tallgrass has increased their exposure to a community where they can have fun, be themselves, and explore their passions without any standards.
5 11/23/2021
Both my children graduated from Tallgrass, and they loved it there. They thrived in an atmosphere of freedom and respect. They thrived in a small, caring community where they could pursue their passions.
5 11/17/2021
Our son (age 8) is in his 4th year at Tallgrass. We chose it because he had struggled with directed activities in preschool and we wanted him to associate school with positives. As a self-directed learner, he taught himself to read at age 5, and he especially loves exploring science topics with his schoolmates on walks in the forest and uses the computers to study weather patterns!
5 10/27/2021
When Covid hit, our public school son - who was in a gifted program - couldn't see his friends or relate well to online learning only. Since enrolling in Tallgrass, he's excited to go to school where he can study what he likes and it's truly enhanced his trust in himself that he lead his education. There's so much more socialization too in Tallgrass than he ever experienced in public school too. We are so happy we enrolled him here as he's found his place with great friends and teachers.
5 10/27/2021
When Covid hit, our public school son - who was in a gifted program - couldn't see his friends or relate well to online learning only. Since enrolling in Tallgrass, he's excited to go to school where he can study what he likes and it's truly enhanced his trust in himself that he lead his education. There's so much more socialization too in Tallgrass than he ever experienced in public school too. We are so happy we enrolled him here as he's found his place with great friends and teachers.
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