A step in the right direction: New Country School in Henderson, Minn.

This is an interesting school, an interesting approach. I don't think the idea of one open room is very good. What kind of real-world environment does that simulate? I certainly wouldn't be able to work in that environment. I attended a project-based high school for my junior and senior years which sound similar to this high school, but these types of initiatives aren't perfect because they're using a new type of institutionalized school to solve problems that old types of institutionalized school have. Why not ditch the standardized tests? Why not ditch the grades? Why not ditch the state curriculum requirements? But, this isn't a time for negatives. Bravo, Le Sueur-Henderson school district. And remind me again why you can't fairly compare the results of this school to the entire district? Admittedly, this is a charter school, but why can't all schools be charter schools? Of a family decides that the child will attend public school, why shouldn't students get to pick the type and location of school they wish to attend?