Where Children Lead the Way: A Case Study in Democratic Education

Through interviews with children, educators, and parents, this article provides a picture of a democratic school in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. A rare example in NYC, Pono’s philosophies, practices, and pedagogies provide a model of education that fosters child-centered empowered learning, supports community building and strong relationships, and counter-hegemonic strategies. Not without challenges, Pono, is not a panacea, but rather a case study in what is possible when we approach education from a truly child-honoring lens and a belief that education is a true means of transformation.