A Whole School Living Green

Why just “go green” when you can “lead green”? The international Green School in Bali is the most eco-conscious school in the world. Founded by John and Cyntia Hardy, it was created to cultivate “green leaders” and teach children present-day life’s most important lessons.

The school is entirely powered by solar energy. The buildings in their community are made out of bamboo – a fast growing, fertilizer-free, regenerating, sustainable building material. School lunch comes from their very own vegetable garden, tended to by students and teachers on campus.

What is so special about the Green School is not its focus on ecology and problems facing the world, but its focus on solutions for improving and healing the world. Enrollment is for students all the way from Pre-K to high school.

Significant educational philosophies involve the need for real world application as well as individualization to learn. Students at the Green School are directly involved in service trips and thesis projects that teach them so much more than how to pass a test. They can explore their personal concerns and learn how to make an impact on their environment.

Tom Vanderbilt of the New York Times explains, “While some schools might employ the word “green” in the context of their LEED-certified building or cafeteria recycling effort, this place takes green to another level.”