Pono is a pioneer in offering an educational program that is both outdoor and democratic: a program where the children spend at least half of their time out of the classroom in and around New York City. Students design the curriculum through a process that respects and reflects their varied individual learning interests, and they govern their learning community through a democratic process. Pono's educational program was founded in 2010 by a parent, educator, and education researcher in response to the need for an alternative school option that protects children's innate curiosity, genius, wonderment, and drive to explore and grow, by trusting them to initiate and direct their own learning.