“Bali High” – when I first heard that song from South Pacific, I thought Mama was singing about an exotic paradise for lovers. Turns out the song might have been about one of the most progressive schools in Southeast Asia – possibly the world.
The Green School, located in the Rainforest of Bali combines first class standard education with instruction that enhances a respect for nature and an awareness of the relationship between man and the environment.
The school lets people know the goals and expectations for students fortunate enough to be accepted, and dedicated enough to meet the school’s challenges. “Delivering a generation of global citizens who are knowledgeable about and inspired to take responsibility for the sustainability of the world.”
Students and parents who read Green School’s philosophy know that the standard 19th Century curriculum and teaching styles won’t play well in the rainforests of Bali. Dedicated parents and children from over eighty countries decided to commit to the school and its program.
Like all top notch schools, the most important component in student education is the quality of teachers. The Green School teachers include a certified Steiner teacher and a PHD. Seven hold Masters Degrees, four have postgraduate teaching qualifications and 17 Bachelor Degrees. All 21 are qualified educators who are also engineers, psychologists, environmentalists, scientists, film, arts and media people, who are passionate about equipping with skills and appreciation of their role in our World.
This mutual commitment is rewarded by the Green School’s curriculum and physical campus. High school students can choose to study for Cambridge IGCSE’s and planned IB diploma/certificate. These are the same studies afforded to top scoring American students from the best schools.
Of course the Green School stresses Green Studies, which is enhanced by the school’s location. Nestled deep in Bali’s rainforests, the architects and engineers have designed and built a green wonder for a campus. Green School also owns a green thumb and grows its own food in its gardens.
The Green School campus works to have the lowest carbon footprint of any international school anywhere. Built entirely of bamboo, it’s truly remarkable. (Odds are good their uniforms are made from bamboo clothing and they sleep on bamboo sheets.) But it is far from some primitive outpost. There are even plans in the works to generate its own power from the river.
Curriculum, teachers, housing and environment combine to make Green School a home of tomorrow’s education today. I only wish they offered college courses so my older daughter could attend.
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So exciting to read about this project as my sons (Richard and Daniel) are working in Nicaragua to build a whole residential community using wind and solar power. They are commited to saving the rain forests and so are building, not only the houses, but also the furniture out of bamboo. As well as providing work for the locals they have the encouragement of the university, as the students and professors there are also assisting in the venture.
Very interesting concept. It’d be great to see some actual photos of this school.
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