The article theoretically interpreted and empirically proved the consistency of the methodology of cooperation of Konstantin Nikolaevich Ventzel, who became one of the consistent supporters of free education and training. On the basis of his own pedagogical experiments at the Yasnaya Polyana school, Tula province, using the approaches and educational methods of L.N. Tolstoy in the 60-70s of the 19th century K.N. Ventzel created his own theory of cooperation pedagogy and free education. The result of such innovations is a "living person" -- a vessel of the greatest quantity and the highest quality. It is on the basis of cooperation between a teacher and a student that a harmonious personality is built, whose modal qualities are morality, unity of thoughts and feelings, love of freedom, and creativity, independence, the ability to work collectively, humanity and philanthropy. The creation of such a person is the ultimate goal of cooperation pedagogy. K.N. Ventzel's pedagogical innovations on the formation of a community of educators and pupils, teachers and students can act as the fundamental principles of the pedagogical process, both in Russia and in other countries of the world. The concept of cooperation currently meets the interests of society and the social basis of the Russian people.