Oklahoma News Report

Students at Tulsa’s Thoreau Demonstration Academy get real life lessons in business and government by running their own government and businesses. The concept is called a “micro-community.” It gives the 6th, 7th and 8th graders real world experience by requiring each student to have a job either as a business person or by working for the government. They even have their own money called “emeralds.” The micro-community also has its own judicial system that lets students learn real world, grown up consequences by either appearing before the court or acting as judges. Students who appear before the court are given the opportunity to have an attorney and present witnesses and evidence when their cases are heard.

February 25th the school will be honored by the State Bar Association as its School of the Year.

The school was picked because its micro community program it gives students a practical way to learn about citizenship.