Beyond School is a book for educators and parents to use to sharpen their skills. It delves into some of the frustrations with compulsory education while highlighting pedagogy, classroom management, self-directed learning, homeschooling, building school and classroom culture, and how to start your own learning cooperative or school if you felt compelled to do so. The author, Joe Timpanaro, shares his 15 years of experience in urban education through his journey of transforming his current school. He also discusses how he started his very own learning cooperative/school called Beyond School Learning Center with his friend, Paul Gaita. Beyond School, both the book and the learning cooperative, demonstrates how to motivate young people to take charge of their own education.