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Welcome to Geotrees.Com's Visionary and Leadership Schools page.
By "visionary schools" we mean those schools, learning programs, and
learning communities that share four basic qualities. They are
intentionally organized to help people gain knowledge and experience
that transform their understanding and their lives in deep, fundamental
and tangible ways. Their impact often reaches through and beyond their
students and graduates to embrace other people and the world at large.
It flows along paths to bring equity, harmony, and enwholement into the
world. And the full value of a visionary school unfolds and ripens in
the lives and impact of its students over years, decades, after they
graduate.
In this section, we offer descriptions and links to schools that explore
fundamental knowledge, often in unconventional ways, for the sake of
cooperation and harmony among humankind. These schools serve students
ranging from elementary school into adulthood. Some are not formally
academic at all; many serve as role models and examples to be emulated
by others. Many of these schools will be in the Washington, DC area,
but others will come from around the globe. Some of the schools and
learning communities we will look at already exist. Some exist no
longer. And some are yet dreams waiting to be called into being. It is
our hope that they stimulate thought, conversation, and action that
build visionary education - and the transformation that results from it.
Schools are listed alphabetically within sections for the National Capital Region and Around the Globe. As of July 29, 2008 there is a third section for Seed Organizations
- not schools themselves, but created to support and help develop them.
If you know of a visionary school or seed organization in the US or
elsewhere, please let us know.
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In the National Capital Region...
The CENTER FOR TEACHING PEACE
Washington, DC
URL_TBD
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION, Saturday, February 2, 2008)
NEW! Posted TBD, 2008
Founded by Colman McCarthy in 1982; as of early 2008, Colman teaches
classes at three high schools and three universities in the metro DC
area. In addition to teaching, Colman has been a columnist with The Washington Post and is the author of several books, including I'd Rather Teach Peace.
"By rough estimate, IÕve had more than 5,000 students since that first
high school class in 1982. IÕve felt blessed. With all of them, from the
brainiest third-year law students on their way to six figure beginning
salaries to 14-year-old illiterates locked up for hustling drugs, I
emphasized one theme: Alternatives to violence exist and, if individuals
and nations can organize themselves properly, nonviolent force is
always stronger, more enduring and, assuredly, more moral than violent
force."
(From the www.votenader.org site, 2004) "Mr. McCarthy
estimates that there are some 50 million learners in American schools
who are open to ideas that stress peaceful resolution instead of
aggression. 'Unless we teach our children peace,' he says, 'someone else
will teach them violence.'
"The Washington-based Center for Teaching Peace, which Mr. McCarthy
continues to run, helps teachers, school districts, parents, students,
and anyone else seeking either to begin or expand academic courses in
peace education. Besides providing assistance with curriculum
development, it has published two textbooks - Solutions to Violence and Strength Through Peace: The Ideas and People of Nonviolence."
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The DC BILINGUAL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
Columbia Heights, Washington, DC
www.centronia.org/html/dc_bilingual_public_charter_sc.html/
"The District of Columbia Bilingual Public Charter School (DC
Bilingual), which opened in September 2004, seeks to expand educational
opportunities and choices for children from three years of age through
grade five by implementing a dual language program that will enable
students to meet high academic expectations and develop critical
thinking, problem-solving skills and a joy of learning. DCBPCS's
approach encourages students to be self-motivated, life-long learners,
who will express their creativity, develop strong leadership skills, and
value the diverse cultures of our city. This new school draws on the
17-year history of its parent organization, CentroNia, and shares with
it a philosophy rooted in respect for the culturally and linguistically
rich environment of Columbia Heights, the community in which DCBPCS two
sites will be located.
"DC Bilingual opened in September 2004 which 122 students from early
Pre-K (three-year-olds) through Kindergarten. The school will add a
grade each year through 5th grade in 2009."
- Address: 1420 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC, 20009
- Tel. (202) 332-4200
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The HOWARD GARDNER SCHOOL
Alexandria, Virginia
www.thehowardgardnerschool.org/
"Hands-on learning through environmental science and the arts." A new school in Alexandria, Virginia.
"The Howard Gardner School is a small, progressive independent high
school for college-bound learners in Alexandria, Virginia. With a focus
on environmental science and the arts, the school's mission is to help
bright, creative non-traditional learners use their unique strengths to
thrive academically, intellectually and emotionally. As a result, we
attract many young people who are musicians, artists, athletes, and
naturalists, as well as students whose strengths are primarily verbal or
mathematical.
"Our approach is based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple
intelligences, research in human development, and a tradition of
progressive education tracing back to John Dewey.
"Our students view the world as their classroom. The school draws from
the rich resources of the Washington, DC area in order to integrate
weekly field studies into the curriculum, and students participate in
weekly internships.
"We value community, mutual respect, group work, warmth and humor, and
sense of place. Our students are open, flexible, and learn to think for
themselves. They will make wonderful, participatory citizens and be
uniquely equipped to deal with the challenges of an increasingly complex
world."
- Address: 4913 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
- Tel. (703) 822-9300
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The LAB SCHOOL
Washington, DC and Baltimore, Md.
www.labschool.org/
"Founded in 1967 by Sally L. Smith, The Lab School of Washington is
internationally recognized for its innovative programs for children and
adults with learning disabilities. The Lab School Day School offers
individualized instruction to students in kindergarten through 12th
grade.
"The Lab School of Washington is unique. Here, the arts are central to
the educative process in the Primary, Elementary and Intermediate
Divisions. Spending half the day in highly specialized, individualized
classrooms and the other half in the arts, younger students with
moderately to severe learning disabilities develop the basic skills
necessary for their academic development. Social studies and humanities
are taught through a unique program incorporating art, music, drama and
hands-on learning experiences.
"The theoretical framework of the school asserts that the arts, taught
in a specific way, help develop the neural organization that our
students lack and must learn in order to succeed at school. The arts
are treated as organizers, each having its own discipline. The student
concentrates on the product or performance while faculty concentrate on
teaching the process... Besides the perceptual, cognitive and often
very specific academic learning that takes place through the arts, there
are many opportunities for creativity to flourish and success to be
enjoyed...
"Success in the arts often renews effort in academic areas and prepares
youngsters for vocations and careers. Being taught the approach to a
task is as important as any task a student with a learning disability
can learn. The Lab School must teach its students explicitly the skills
that other students may learn ÒnaturallyÓ: how to organize their work,
their assignments, their belongings, themselves."
- Main Campus: Lab School of Washington Ð main campus, 4759 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
- Tel. (202) 965-6600
- In Baltimore: 2220 St. Paul St., Baltimore, Md.
- Baltimore phone: (410) 261-5500
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The ONENESS-FAMILY SCHOOL
Chevy Chase, Maryland
www.onenessfamily.org
"The aim of education is greater than helping students gain the skills
and knowledge they need to be successful adults within their own
culture. Its ultimate aim is to empower students with a global
perspective, with empathy, and with a deeper sense of purpose so they
can one day help create a new culture of peace, tolerance and unity for
the whole human family." - Andrew Kutt, Founder and Executive Director
"The international peace academy," grades three years through eighth
grade. "International community, world culture studies, foreign
languages, strong academics, multiple intelligences, conflict resolution
and cooperation skills, emphasis on tolerance and diversity, involved
parent community," and more. A Montessori school.
"Vision: Our vision is to foster a new generation of leaders who
become meaningful contributors to the society of the 21st century by
expanding their consciousness, realizing their potential, and coming to
feel and understand that the world is one family.
"Mission: Our mission is to provide a learning environment in
which personal growth is valued as much as academic excellence.
Supporting the foundation of our curriculum are five essential pillars:
- Skills: Provide students with the academic and life skills they will need to successfully live, work, and achieve their goals.
- Knowledge: Guide them toward a deeper knowledge of themselves - their strengths, interests, values, feelings, and aspirations.
- Self-Expression: Empower them in the realistic, creative, and harmonious expression of their own visions.
- Understanding: Instill in them a broad understanding of, and respect for, the world and its diverse cultures.
- Appreciation: Nurture their appreciation for life itself, and for all living things."
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OYSTER BILINGUAL SCHOOL
A Washington, DC Public School
oysterbilingual.devis.com/
"We believe that every child's learning ability, employment potential,
and cultural interests are enriched by achieving competency in a
language beyond his/her own, in a classroom where children from various
cultures learn and share together... We believe that the bilingual
program at Oyster must provide an environment in which all students are
afforded the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills that will
enable them to succeed both as individuals and members of society. We
believe that racial and ethnic richness and diversity form the bases
through which we enrich and promote the goals of building a culturally
pluralistic society.
"To this end, we, the Oyster school staff, are committed to provide a
comprehensive bilingual program in an atmosphere that is open,
concerned, and responsive to the needs of both the students and the
community. We are also committed to the establishment of practices and
programs that will ensure the intellectual, physical, emotional, and
aesthetic well being of all the students at Oyster Bilingual Elementary
School."
- Address: 2801 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- Tel. (202) 671-3111
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SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS
A Public Senior High School of Washington, DC
www.swwhs.org/
"School Without Walls" ('SWW' or 'Walls') is a non-traditional high
school established in March of 1971. Modeled after the successful
Parkway Program in the School District of Philadelphia, SWW is currently
located on the campus of George Washington University at 2130 G Street,
NW. School Without Walls provides a quality student-centered
environment that maximizes integrative, interactive, experiential
learning within the framework of a humanities approach. This is achieved
by using the 'city as a classroom' and the school as a model of
collaboration among staff, students, and parents.
"'The rigor of our program has produced students who have attained
perfect SAT scores, and students who have been recognized by both the
National Merit Scholars and the National Achievement Scholars Programs.
The school has been ranked by Newsweek Magazine as one of the
top high schools in the nation. Academic success such as this is not by
coincidence. It is only through dedication, work and commitment that
this legacy of academic achievement will continue and the power of the
Penguins will prevail.'" - Sheila Mills Harris, Principal
- Address: 2130 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
- Tel. (202) 724-4889
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The WASHINGTON LATIN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
A Public Charter School of Washington, DC
www.latinpcs.org
UPDATED! Tuesday, July 29, 2008; first posted Monday, February 11, 2008
"The Washington Latin Public Charter School is like no other in the
District of Columbia, and I hope that after perusing our website you
will be inspired to come and visit us to see the school in action. Our
dedicated faculty and staff offer a demanding, classical,
literature-based curriculum. We balance our high expectations within
the context of a nurturing and supportive community that values the
contributions from each student. We prepare the students entrusted to
our care for success in college and beyond and work to instill in them a
love of learning.
"As a public charter school, we are committed to offering this excellent
classical education to students from throughout the city. All of our
students will study Latin and either Chinese or French in addition to
English, world history, mathematics, and science. They will also learn
to make good use of technology. In addition, the school is committed to
exposing students to the many opportunities so abundant in our nationÕs
capital.
"Intellectual curiosity, self-motivation, personal discipline, and a
strong work ethic characterize the students most likely to be successful
at Washington Latin. Families that work in partnership with the school
and are equally committed to the values and standards we espouse will
find a community they can enjoy sharing with their child." - From the
Introduction by Martha C. Cutts, Head of School
- Address: 3855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016
- Tel. (202) 223-1111
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Around the Globe...
The INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JAPAN, or IUJ
Niigata, Japan
www.iuj.ac.jp
NEW! Posted Monday, February 18, 2008
"From our vantage point in the heart of Asia, we offer a unique
perspective of the world in a lively global setting. Our culturally
diverse campus, coupled with our location and our insight of Asia, will
enrich your educational experience."
The University's programs are taught in English, and include a graduate level peaces studies program.
From the message of Chairman Yotaro Kobayashi: "When the
International University of Japan was founded in 1982, its mission was
to develop future leaders with a high level of specialized theoretical
and practical knowledge, as well as understanding and empathy toward the
worldÕs variety of cultures, enhancing their ability to contribute to
the global society.
"In the 25 years that have passed, more than 2,000 global leaders from
about 100 countries have come from our Graduate Schools of International
Relations and International Management. On our campus, we have built a
unique and global intellectual community, unsurpassed in the world.
About 300 students from 50 countries live in the dormitories, study and
research together with our faculty.
"In addition, we have developed a rich educational infrastructure to
accommodate the information society, and have a strong relationship with
the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), which, as a leader in
the research into information society, stresses 'Chigyo,' the study of
knowledge."
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KOINONIA FOUNDATION (closed)
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Ten years of periodic prayer and retreat, in response to world needs
during the era of World War II, preceded the emergence of Koinonia
Foundation into working reality in 1951. ("Koinonia," a term used often
by the early church, is a Greek word for "community.") The Foundation
acquired a 44-acre estate in the Green Spring Valley north of Baltimore,
and soon launched a program, and community life, featuring retreat,
study, spiritual community - and training to take literacy, agriculture,
health, and similar practical skills into the undeveloped world. Much
of the Peace Corps' program was modeled after Koinonia's. The
community's center of gravity was nonsectarian Christianity, with strong
Quaker influences.
Koinonia's life had two phases. The first, lasting from 1950 to 1970,
featured the philosopy, purpose, and programs of the founders. The
second phase included a shift from the original orientation to "New Age"
and wholistic activities and "the alternate semester." During this
time many of the community's original members and friends continued to
engage the place as a center of prayer, study, and retreat.
The community had a multigenerational resident population, with several
resident staffers / instructors living there over its entire life, and a
total population of up to about eighty people at any given time.
(Short-term retreatants and students, and some renters, were included in
the foundation.) This diverse group - typically ranging in age from
conception to the mid-80s - was one of Koinonia's great strengths.
Koinonia closed its doors in 1985, but many of its people continue in
roles of spirit, learning, and leadership around the country, and around
the world. The Foundation continues as a small grant-writing
organization to the present day.
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The MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
Hershey, Pennsylvania
www.mhs-pa.org/
"At Milton Hershey School, we believe that all students can be
successful. . . The mission of Milton Hershey School remains true to the
ideals upon which it was founded more than 90 years ago: In keeping
with Milton and Catherine Hershey's Deed of Trust, Milton Hershey
School nurtures and educates children in social and financial need to
lead fulfilling and productive lives.
"Today, Milton Hershey School is a cost-free, private, coeducational
home and school for children from families of low income, limited
resources, and social need. The School is funded by a trust established
by Milton S. Hershey and his wife Catherine. Milton Hershey School
offers a positive, structured home life year-round and an excellent
pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education. Our vision focuses on
building character and providing children with the skills necessary to
be successful in all aspects of life."
The school currently enrolls about 1400 students.
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NEVE SHALOM / WAHAT AL-SALAM, or "OASIS OF PEACE"
A Joint Intentional Jewish-Israeli Palestinian Arab Village in Israel
nswas.com
"(ne-'vŽ shal-'om / 'wah-at i-sal-'am: Hebrew and Arabic for Oasis of Peace
[Isaiah 32:18]):
"Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (pronounced nevey shalom/wahat as-salaam) is
a cooperative village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli
citizenship, engaged in educational work for peace, equality and
understanding between the two peoples. Situated equidistant from
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam was founded in
1972 on 100 acres of land leased from the adjacent Latrun Monastery. In
1977 the first family came to reside here. Now, in the year 2001, 40
families are settled in the village, and another 10 families are in the
process of building their homes.
The members of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam are demonstrating the
possibility of coexistence between Jews and Palestinians by developing a
community based on mutual acceptance, respect and cooperation.
Democratically governed and owned by its members, the community is not
affiliated with any political party or movement. Neve Shalom/Wahat
al-Salam gives practical expression to its vision through its various
branches."
The community includes:
- The Village
- Primary School
- School for Peace
- Pluralistic Spiritual Center
- Hotel
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RITSUMEIKAN ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
Beppu, Japan
A New International University
www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/
Late in 1999 Geotrees learned of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, a
new international university in Beppu, Japan. This school embodies,
in higher education, many of the principles and approaches of the
Village Academy.
"APU is a new international institution with students coming from over
fifty countries. The campus will become a multi-cultural community
where students will deepen their mutual understanding through living and
studying together.
"Ritsumeikan will pursue the creation of universal values based on
academic freedom and search for solutions to the pressing issues facing
humankind, with its educational endeavors based on its founding spirit
and educational ideals, bearing in mind 'to believe in the future, to
live for the future.'
"Recognizing the importance of international exchanges, Ritsumeikan
University has actively pursued building academic ties with universities
and educational/research institutes around the world. Today,
Ritsumeikan maintains a cooperative relationship with 248 universities
and educational/research institutes in 47 countries and regions around
the world (as of August 30, 2006)."
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ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE / INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (closed)
Yokohama, Japan
With the article "Growing Up International" by Francis Tanabe
www.sjcalumni.com, main alumni site
Even among international schools, St. Joe's stood out. A small (up to
450 students, K-12) Catholic school in Yokohama, Japan, the school was
blessed with a faculty with a deep love of their Lord, of learning, of
the potential for excellence latent within everyone, and of their
students. Many served at the school for decades. Faculty and students
alike came from around the world.
Students brought a full range of interests and activities to the life of
the school. Some were hardly angels. As one alumnus put it, central
to the greatness of the school is the fact that "They never gave up on
us."
The evocative Washington Post piece "Growing Up International"
by Francis Tanabe vividly communicates the flavor of attending this
international school for twelve years, from childhood to young manhood.
Highly recommended. Mr. Tanabe is a fellow alumnus of St. Joseph
College.
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The UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY, or UNU
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
www.unu.edu
NEW! Posted Saturday, February 16, 2008
"UNU fosters an environment for the acquisition, advancement and
dissemination of policy-relevant knowledge in a spirit of scholarly and
critical inquiry for the purpose of enhancing the security, welfare and
quality of human life. Through research and capacity-building via a
global network of scholars and institutions, UNU distinguishes itself
both from other UN organisations and from other universities.
"The mission of the Peace and Governance Programme is to contribute to
the promotion of sustainable peace and good governance. The Programme
organizes and supports research that produces policy-oriented
recommendations for current problems, and also that which identifies
longer-term trends and patterns in international politics that hold
implications for peace, security and governance. The Programme is also
committed to the training and capacity-building needs that arise from
this research activity.
"This is a challenging agenda. . ."
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THE VILLAGE ACADEMY (proposed)
A Concept Proposal for an In-Depth International School, Grades 6-12
www.geotrees.com/academy.html
(Updated February 2, 2008)
This is a description of the goals, the learning resources and
philosophy, students, staff, community programs, and stakeholders for a
school that does not yet exist, but one whose precursors do. Its
mission is to be a center of intercultural, historical, and
international learning both for its fulltime students, and for the
surrounding communities; a crossroads for sharing the communication and
knowledge that are preconditions to understanding, reconciliation,
transformation and peace. We imagine a number of such schools sited in
crossroads cities around the planet. This proposal includes learning
activities that can be incorporated into existing schools.
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...and Seed Organizations
CAMBRIDGE ADVISORY
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
cambridgeadvisory.com/index.html
NEW! Posted Tuesday, July 29, 2008
ÒThe best education for the best is the best education for all.Ó
- Robert Maynard Hutchins
"Cambridge Advisory is a full service consultancy ready and able to
assist school boards, educational leaders and ordinary citizens in
providing world-class educational opportunities to students throughout
the United States and beyond. Our wide-ranging experience in
traditional public, charter and independent schools includes successful
new-school startups and a range of specialized projects to audit and
improve existing schools.
"Cambridge consultants are among the nationÕs finest scholars, teachers,
educational leaders and public policy experts. In partnership with our
clients, we strive to fortify academic programs, strengthen
professional development and enhance capacity for benchmarking,
assessment and student support. Our aim is to help schools help
students become informed citizens and leaders in the highly competitive
global economy.
"The Cambridge Core is a comprehensive academic program that
combines classics and 'great books' literature-based learning with a
state-of-the-art sequence in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering
& Math)."
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This Page is a Draft, a Work in Progress.
Do you know of any such schools, past or present, anywhere in the world?
Do you have questions or suggestions? Would you like to connect with
other potential stakeholders in such schools? We welcome your ideas,
responses, comments, and any experience you may have had in
international and intercultural schools.
We also welcome any similar essays or proposals of your own, and
anticipate posting these on this page as they come in. They may include
grant proposals, university theses, curriculum plans, teaching
materials, or similar work. We look forward to them.
We also welcome any web pages, mailing lists, organizations,
conferences, workshops, etc. devoted to international and intercultural
education. Please include them, as well.
We welcome your comments, contributions and suggestions. Email us at
anjinsan@geotrees. com.
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Graphic © Copyright The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, operating as the Northern Lighthouse Board, of Scotland.
Dedicated with great respect and great love to the values, the vision, and the heritage
of St. Joseph College / International School of Yokohama, Japan
and to the teaching and the personal example
of its defenders and loyal faculty.
"For the History of the Future"
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