When we first stepped onto the lush, bamboo-lined campus of Green School Bali, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My son, Luca, had been bouncing with excitement for weeks, eager to join a school that promised something more than textbooks and rigid classroom walls. For me, a skeptical expat parent, I had heard the buzzwords: sustainability, nature-based learning, community. But what did holistic education really mean? And would it live up to the hype?
Fast forward two years later, and I can confidently say, holistic education at Green School Bali didn’t just meet our expectations—it transformed our entire way of thinking. So, how exactly does this type of education impact our children, and what makes the Green School’s approach so unique? Let’s dive into the five major ways it’s changed our lives.
Table of Contents
1. Learning Beyond the Classroom: Nature as the Teacher
At Green School Bali, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. In fact, much of it happens outdoors, surrounded by the school’s bamboo architecture, gardens, and animal habitats. One week, Luca’s class was learning about ecosystems—by building one themselves. They planted native plants, set up water systems, and even tracked local insects to see how they interacted with their newly created environment.
But the most amazing part? This wasn’t just some weekend project. This was holistic education in action—learning not just from books but from direct engagement with nature. And for Luca, it stuck. He now notices details in our garden at home that I never even considered. Every lesson seems to have a deeper connection, grounded in the real world rather than abstract concepts.
2. Personalized Learning: Every Child is Unique
At Green School, the curriculum feels fluid, flexible—tailored to each child’s strengths and interests. This is the heart of holistic education, recognizing that children don’t all learn the same way or at the same pace. Luca, who struggled with math back in our previous school in the UK, now sees it differently. Instead of endless worksheets, his teacher here connected math with something he’s passionate about—skateboarding.
I remember the day he came home, excitedly explaining angles and speed calculations based on a ramp they were designing. By making learning relevant and fun, Green School made math something that Luca no longer dreaded. He still skates in his free time, and yes, he’s more likely to be calculating the trajectory of his tricks than solving equations, but it works. That’s the beauty of holistic education—it honors a child’s individuality and adapts to their way of thinking.
3. Sustainability as a Core Value: Nurturing Global Citizens
Sustainability is more than just a subject at Green School—it’s a way of life. From the food served in the cafeteria (all organic and locally sourced) to the bamboo buildings powered by renewable energy, the entire campus feels like an embodiment of the school’s mission. Luca often participates in projects focused on reducing waste, planting trees, or finding creative solutions to environmental issues.
I’ll never forget the day he came home and declared, “Mom, we’re using too much plastic.” Now, thanks to the school’s holistic education approach, our family has made more eco-friendly choices. We’ve reduced single-use plastics, composted our food waste, and are much more mindful of the impact we have on the planet. Luca’s education has inspired us to think bigger, and the lessons extend far beyond the classroom.
4. Emotional and Social Development: Creating Compassionate Leaders
One of the most powerful aspects of Green School Bali’s approach to holistic education is the emphasis on emotional and social intelligence. There’s a real focus on mindfulness, conflict resolution, and empathy—skills that are often neglected in traditional schooling. In fact, every morning, Luca’s class begins with a mindfulness session, helping the kids to center themselves and set a positive tone for the day.
This isn’t just about teaching kids to “be nice.” It’s about helping them develop emotional resilience, the ability to navigate conflicts, and a deeper sense of empathy for those around them. Watching Luca evolve from a shy, somewhat introverted boy into a confident, empathetic young person has been incredible. He’s now comfortable speaking up in class, offering his opinions, and—best of all—supporting his peers. Holistic education nurtures the whole child, fostering not only academic growth but emotional maturity as well.
5. Community and Collaboration: It Takes a Village
When you send your child to Green School Bali, you’re not just enrolling them in a school; you’re joining a community. The sense of collaboration between teachers, parents, and students is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Parents are encouraged to get involved in projects, share their expertise, and contribute to the school’s ongoing development. It’s a partnership, one that creates a rich environment for both children and adults to grow.
In one particularly memorable project, the whole school worked together to build a solar-powered art installation. Students of all ages, teachers, and even parents like me rolled up our sleeves and got involved. This collaborative spirit is a hallmark of holistic education—it fosters a sense of belonging and teaches kids that we’re all part of something bigger. That sense of connection has made our family’s transition to Bali so much smoother, and we’ve made lifelong friends along the way.
A Life-Changing Experience
Green School Bali offers more than just an education—it’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and, for us, a life-changing experience. Holistic education at its core means educating the whole person, not just filling their heads with facts and figures. It’s about nurturing creativity, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a sense of responsibility towards the world.
For Luca, it’s meant freedom to explore his interests, to fail and try again, to ask questions that don’t have simple answers. For me, as a parent, it’s meant letting go of traditional expectations and embracing a more dynamic and fulfilling way of learning. Yes, there are moments when I wonder if we’re straying too far from the traditional path, but every day, I see the positive impact this type of education is having on Luca’s growth—and ours as a family.
If you’re curious about how holistic education could transform your child’s life, I encourage you to take a look at what Green School Bali has to offer. It’s not just a school; it’s a whole new way of seeing the world.
