[3] Daniel Greenberg, one of the founders of the original Sudbury Model school, writes that the two things that distinguish a Sudbury Model school are that everyone is treated equally (adults and children together) and that there is no authority other than that granted by the consent of the governed.
[4] While each Sudbury Model school operates independently and determines their own policies and procedures, they share a common culture.
[5] Sudbury Valley Schools give full responsibility for the learning process to the student.
[1] Sudbury schools are based on:[6] "The fundamental premises of the school are simple: that all people are curious by nature; that the most efficient, long-lasting, and profound learning takes place when started and pursued by the learner; that all people are creative if they are allowed to develop their unique talents; that age-mixing among students promotes growth in all members of the group; and that freedom is essential to the development of personal responsibility.
Usually, there is a set procedure to handle complaints, and most of the schools follow guidelines that respect the idea of due process of law.
There are usually rules requiring an investigation, a hearing, a trial, a sentence, and allowing for an appeal,[10] generally following the philosophy that students face the consequences of their own behavior.
[11] The Sudbury pedagogical philosophy may be summarized as the following: Learning is a natural by-product of all human activity.
The pervasiveness of play has led to a recurring observation by first-time visitors to a Sudbury school that the students appear to be in perpetual "recess".