Environmental Education

1. Infusion across the curricula:

We provide our students with multiple exposures to the sustainability paradigm throughout their education, by integrating environmental literacy, social responsibility and sustainability materials into core and extracurricular subjects.

Our goal is to reduce apathy, and instill attitudes and skills required to be positive change agents for the society. We want our students to develop an:

increased caring about the future of society,
increased belief that they can make a difference,
increased willingness to participate in solving societal and environmental problems.

2. Outdoor classroom

The school site will be used as an outdoor classroom for the study of wetlands and dry forest habitats, observation of local plant and animal species, weather and seasonal changes, soil and geological studies, etc. Students will establish a garden to study plant growth and animal interactions, and bird feeders will attract local species.

3. Field trips and assemblies

Students will also take field trips within the Nosara District to learn about their immediate surroundings and also to different protected areas within the Guanacaste province such as the Ostional Wildlife Refuge to see the turtle “arribadas” and egg hatching, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Tempisque wetlands, among others .

4. Community Service

The school’s community service program will include environmental projects at all grade levels. Tree planting, collection of recyclables within the Nosara community, preparing environmental education materials and activities for local schools, beach cleaning as well as other events will be held during the school year.

6. Virtues

The Core Virtues of beauty, kindness, respect, stewardship, and wonder will be specifically integrated into all subjects.

7. Celebration of Global Environmental Holidays ( Water Day, World Environment day, etc)
During the week that includes Water Day (March 22) and World Environment Day (June 5) the school creates a special focus on the topic. This week-long celebration includes music, art, poetry, readings, plantings, cleanup, animal presentations, storytelling, assemblies and field trips all planned around the theme of environmental understanding and stewardship.

8. Buildings and grounds

The school’s facilities are carefully designed to promote connections between indoor and outdoor classrooms, with large windows, high ceilings, and natural building materials. Attention is given to energy efficiency and other means of demonstrating the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

9. Recycling and use of recycled paper

A recycling program of plastic and aluminum, paper and organic waste gives children first-hand experience with conscientious use of the earth’s resources, and proper disposal for re-use. The school also seeks to purchase items that are made from recycled materials.

10. Blue Flag Program

The Blue Flag Program is a highly respected and recognized national eco-label. Blue Flags are awarded to schools that meet strict criteria that cover everything from water quality to environmental programs. We are currently participating in this program and helping  involve the local schools of Nosara.