
Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Students swing from the monkey bars at Hess Academy in Decatur, Georgia. Physical education and movement are key parts of the curriculum at the private school.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Students learn about the properties of magnets while sitting in a circle on the floor. Hess Academy students are encouraged to move as much as they need while doing their classwork.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Ananda Gates, 11, sews during art class at Hess Academy. Outside core academics, students also study art, music, dance and yoga.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Some younger students at Hess Academy use blocks with their photos on them, sometimes for charting activities and answering daily questions, and sometimes just for building.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Students join hands while playing a game outside. Many days begin and end on the school's playground.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Max Bradley, 13, right, helps Carrington Stallworth, 7, with her reading while Ian Ferreira, 11, looks on. At Hess Academy, it's common to see some students working at desks while others are sprawled on the floor.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
A student uses a template to identify different types of clouds. Students use the playground during free time, but also during classroom learning activities.

Where sitting quietly isn't encouraged —
Students wait to go back inside from the playground at Hess Academy.


