Cloud Forest School

This morning we got the chance to visit my Tico brothers school.  This school is amazing. It was started because parents noticed a lack of their children learning English and decided to change it. CEC is a small private school on approximately 106 hectares of land in Monteverde. The school overlooks the mountain range of Costa Rica. This school is much different than the other schools in CR. During our tour we were able to witness many things about this school that make it unique. First it is an open air school with buildings spread throughout the campus. This school of about 150 students houses PreK to 11th grade. Students at CEC are encouraged to think creatively and use whats around them. They are taught to learn by experimentation (project and inquiry based learning). Every student we saw was enjoying their lessons. They are teaching relevance in a culture rich environment. What could be better than to learn about Science and the environment than outside? These kids are not stuck staring at the same 4 walls. Even the classrooms have large windows. And they get a significant amount of recess! Their largest class right now is 15 students. I love this school for many reasons. The creative arts are evident here in everything they do. The students in each cohort are all friends and look out for one another. There seems to be no competition; this is cooperative learning at it's finest. Even as the different cohorts are groups of friends; the school as a whole is a family. Parents are extremely involved in this school. Students learn about 50/50 in English and Spanish. They are also able to reflect on what they have learned. There is a look out point at the top of one hill as well as many marked trails and a large soccer field and playground for students be active, reflective and learn to grow. This school environment is one that I wish we could replicate or modify for the US. I'm sure it's not perfect but it sure is a step in the right direction

Side Note: Ariel was extremely excited to see me and to have me at his school!  He came up to me several times and introduced me to his classmates. We didn't get to spend time in his class though. :(