"They sometimes come up with grand ideas like 'let's shorten the school day,' but it also teaches them how things work and why they can't change that," said Ashby.

Valuing diversity is also something the school emphasizes. More than a dozen flags line the hall, representing the different countries and cultures of students in the school.

The school regularly invites political leaders, First Amendment Center representatives and veterans to talk about political issues, civic responsibility and democracy.

This fall Butler has invited the gubernatorial and state office candidates to speak as part of a mock state election students plan to hold in November.

Ashby said a large focus this year is on community service — a big part of living in a democracy.

Students have purchased and planted trees for Tree Utah in a reforestation project, buying a tree for every service person who has died in Iraq.

McCloskey said each school creates its own model. While Butler has a student senate, a few have written their own constitutions, some focus on debating and petitioning, and others have even created their own free student press.

"Overall they walk away understanding and seeing firsthand that in any system and in a democracy they have a voice," said Ashby. "They need to figure out how the system works and how to be effective in that system."

McCloskey said in the United States 18- to 24-year-olds are the least likely to vote, yet they are the most likely to volunteer and get involved in the community.

There is a real disconnect there, said McCloskey. But when they see that they can make change first hand, and they have had practice voting, by the time they are old enough to vote they are ready and motivated.

There are now a total of 15 project schools and 32 affiliate schools that have similar programs on a smaller scale.

Project leaders plan to add five new schools each year, and in the future McCloskey hopes to see First Amendment school districts.

Other First Amendment schools in Utah include Edith Bowen Elementary in Logan, Northwest Middle School and City Academy charter in Salt Lake City.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com