Guinea pigs go political at Boulder Country Day

In an era when American politics often divide communities, one local school has found an innovative-and furry-way to teach students about democracy. Boulder Country Day School (BCD) is engaging its students in the electoral process through a guinea pig presidential election.

The candidates are two classroom pets named Sneffels and Belford, whose campaigns have captured the imagination of the entire school community while delivering powerful lessons about civic engagement and democratic values.

"This is an amazing, hands-on way for students to gain insight into some of the key features of the democratic process," explained John Suitor, Head of School at BCD. "From election law to voter eligibility, access to polling stations, and campaign strategy-it's all there. At the same time, our community is brought together in support of the greater lesson being taught to our children."

The fourth-grade class has spent the past month orchestrating a comprehensive campaign season that mirrors real-world electoral politics but with a decidedly more positive twist. The young campaign managers have developed detailed position statements for their candidates and conducted a whistle-stop tour of classrooms across campus.

Perhaps the highlight of the campaign was a student-produced and filmed debate, where the furry candidates earned points not for cutting remarks or political jabs, but for kind words. The debate covered a wide range of pressing issues, including nutrition, health care, animal welfare, education, environmental concerns, and personal views-all through the lens of guinea pig governance.

"By focusing on the guinea pigs, who the students know and love, we are able to help them feel more closely connected to the process and outcome," Suitor noted. "When I think about empowering students to ignite global change, there is no more powerful opportunity than developing an understanding and respect for the democratic process."

The election has transformed abstract concepts into tangible experiences for BCD's students. The fourth-graders aren't just learning about democracy-they're actively participating in it. As election officials, they will oversee the voting process and ballot counting when all 370 members of the BCD community, including students and employees, cast their votes on Nov. 5.

The stakes are high. The winning guinea pig will serve a four-year term until the next election cycle, with their victory determined by the school's own electoral college system. This approach helps students understand the complexities of American democracy while maintaining the engaging, lighthearted nature of the exercise.

In a time when many schools shy away from political discourse, BCD's guinea pig election demonstrates how educational institutions can address civic engagement in a way that unifies rather than divides. The school has successfully created a learning environment where students can explore democratic principles through an approach that emphasizes their core values of meeting challenges and being part of something bigger.

As Election Day approaches, the halls of Boulder Country Day School buzz with political discourse where campaign promises involve fresh vegetables and cozy bedding, and where the candidates are guaranteed to maintain their friendship regardless of the outcome. It's a reminder that sometimes the most effective teaching tools come with whiskers and a winning personality.