According to its introductory brochure, the Community Learning Center was established “for the purpose of developing a school where students receive totally individualized instruction.” LaMoine Maclaughlin, a teacher at St. Bede’s Academy in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, developed the idea for the Community Learning Center in 1971. As “free schools,” the Community Learning Center schools allowed children to choose their areas of study and to determine the appropriate amount of study time. Teachers did not give formal grades to their pupils.

The Community Learning Center operated several schools, including an Early Learning Center, the River City School, and the Discovery School. In addition, the Community Learning Center aspired to open a college operating under the principles of free education. At the end of its first year of operation, the Community Learning Center had 100 students, 12 teachers, 4 student teachers, and many volunteer workers. In 1973, the Early Learning Center was closed because of financial problems. The organization appears to have disbanded in 1975 due to financial and administrative difficulties.