Holistic Education in Costa Rica
Pre-School, Elementary & Middle School in the Jungle!
Who We Are
Established in 2015, Life Project Education is a co-creative, community-based education center that empowers children, families, and educators to connect with our deeper humanity through transformational learning experiences that honor both the intellect and the intuitive spirit.
We are more than a school: we are a community center that supports whole family relocation, integration & transformation by inviting a community approach to nurturing our children and adolescents.
We offer a different approach.
In addition to nurturing core academics, Life Project students are equally exposed to experiences that ignite emotional, social, artistic, moral, psychological, physical, aesthetic, creative, and intuitive layers of development.
Our alternative “world-learning” program serves visiting children ages 3-14.
A small group dynamic assures our students receive individualized attention and support in all content areas. We welcome traveling students and our local full-time students are eager to host, teach, and learn from new friends around the world.
We work closely with visiting families to ensure a seamless transition into our program, develop unique learning objectives for their time with us, provide evaluations and transcripts upon request, and can accommodate nearly any curriculum need.
What We Offer
We offer an alternative, legally-compliant schooling option for local and visiting families. While the majority of our enrolled families are full-time residents who commit to a full academic school year with us, we offer seasonal enrollment to visiting families, customized weekly schedules, and all-inclusive enrollment to ensure your child and family’s holistic needs are met, including:
Nutrition: Daily organic morning snack and lunch from the Life Project Cafe
Accreditation: Optional USA grade-level accreditation is available
Transportation: Optional private shuttle services from Dominical are available
Give Back: Seasonal Partnerships with local outreach programs, conservation initiatives, and a thriving scholarship program.
Student Counseling: We proudly offer an on-site holistic licensed clinical therapist/adolescent coach to support the delicate adolescent transition.
Privacy & Sovereignty: We do not require or request private medical records.
Peace of Mind: Our “out of the box” but “by the book” legal operations model ensures our longevity and integrity.
-
Inspired by wonder, a child’s learning journey begins as a vibrant & sacred unfolding prioritizing exploration and imagination.
-
As intellectual capacity & curiosity grows, guided academics are introduced while continuing to honor and activate their innate motivations to create & explore.
-
Unfolding as independent, self-aware learners, our oldest students dive into more rigorous and sophisticated academic themes and social-emotional learning.
-
Our children have diverse interests, and we’re excited to offer activities after school hours that allow them to explore their interests in community.
-
Our connection goes far beyond the school; we are honored to host many events in collaboration with our families and greater community.
Community Events Page Coming Soon!
-
We expect our parents to take an active role in their children’s education at home, but we don’t expect them to figure it all out alone. We’re excited to offer a parent portal where our families can learn, grow, and evolve together.
Parent Education Portal Coming Soon!
Who We Serve
Our center serves families who are full-time residents, seasonal visitors, local Costa Ricans, international expats, Wordschoolers, homeschoolers, & Lifeschoolers. Many of our children have transferred to our school from their home-country public or private schools, and for many, Life Project is their first formal schooling!
Despite the diverse geographical and educational backgrounds of our community,
Life Project Education families align in a commitment to:
Community Development
Earth Guardianship
Global Citizenship
Why We’re Different
Life Project Education differs from mainstream, traditional approaches to learning. Supported by research in the realms of anthroposophy, neurosciences, quantum physics, and Holistic Learning Theory, we educate through an energetic lens, treating our students as sovereign, non-standard beings. The mechanical worldview that predominates current constructs of learning, teaching, healing, and living is not only incomplete, it is intuitively-obsolete.
World Learning: A New Paradigm of Conscious Education
Perspectives and values about education, employment, and quality of life are shifting worldwide, and collectively, there is a growing dissatisfaction with the status-quo. As more and more families, educators, and entrepreneurs are following their hearts and connecting to their deeper humanity, there is a greater need for alternative, holistic systems that are aligned with this evolution. Our founder had the foresight ten years ago to depart from the mainstream education system in the United States and has been co-creating the vision of Life Project with aligned parents ever since. In recent times, families around the world are gaining the courage to reject traditional and outdated educational and LIFE models in exchange for a new approach.
We support this transformation.
We support you!
What LPE Families Are Saying
Meet Our Core Staff
-
![Alys Robinson]()
Alys Robinson
Founder & Visionary Owner of Life Project, Pedagogical Director for Upper & Middle Years Programs, Curriculum Developer
“Lead with Love”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Liberal Studies; M.Ed Curriculum Design and Instruction; Multiple Subject Teaching Credential K-8, Single Subject English Credential; Reading Specialist Credential; Minor in Special Education; TEFL Certification; GATE CertificationTeaching since 2002
-
![Rachel Solt]()
Rachel Solt
Pedagogical Director, Lead Teacher Early Years, Childhood Mentor, Storyteller, Student-Teacher Mentor
“Children are our greatest teachers. They remind me daily to trust in the ever present magic of our world. This, to me, is the most precious gift of teaching. Sharing in the joy of the children, their openness, enthusiasm and uninhibited love is what fulfills me most.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in International Relations, Masters of Education; Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching CertifiedTeaching Since 1999
-
![Lily Vreeland]()
Lily Vreeland
Literacy Specialist
“I love witnessing the transformations within children as they integrate their learnings and grow into ever brightening beings who will light up this world.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Social Policy; M.Ed in Special Education; Certified in Mindfulness Fundamentals and Mindful Schools CurriculumTeaching Since 2010
-
![David Nisman Troyo]()
David Nisman Troyo
Permaculture Mentor Middle & Upper Years, Farm Manager, Emotional Holding Program
“I love teaching because I love creating spaces of freedom for collective knowledge to sprout.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Psychology; Certified in Organic Farming and Community Agriculture, Environmental Psychology, Permaculture Design CertificationTeaching Since 2011
Costa Rican Native
-
![Becky Center]()
Becky Center
Lead Math Teacher Middle & Upper Years, Podcast Elective Course Instructor
“I love seeing students light up when they encounter ‘Aha! Moments’ that support their journey. Whether it’s in math workshop or a social situation, they’re learning to navigate life with greater ease and confidence.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors Degrees in Mathematics and Psychology; Masters Degree in Vedic Science; Pursuing PhD in Philosophy and Religion; Certified Yoga Teacher, Wellness Coach, and Vedic Chanting InstructorTeaching Since 2003
-
![Karuna Saucy]()
Karuna Saucy
Lead Spanish Teacher, Connection Practice Children and Youth Instructor for Middle & Upper Years
"I love teaching because I love watching students grow and transform into positive and creative agents of change in the world."
Degrees & Certifiactions:
Bachelors in Liberal Arts major in Social Change; Masters in Education focused on Teaching in International Schools; Certified Connection Practice Coach and Children Youth Instructor -
![Emma Terry]()
Emma Terry
Upper Years Spanish and Leadership Teacher
“I love teaching because I get the opportunity to learn symbiotically with my students; cultivating a relationship where we both give and receive new knowledge, reflective insights, and life experiences together.”
Degrees & Certifications:
BA from the University of Arizona in Elementary Education (K-8) with endorsements; Bilingual Spanish Education (K-12); English as a Foreign Language (K-12); Minor in Spanish; MA from El Instituto Franklin de La Universidad de Alcalá in International Education
Teaching since 2019
-
![Pablo Carvajal Artavia]()
Pablo Carvajal Artavia
Math and Science Teacher - Early, Middle, & Upper Years
“What I love about teaching is to be an agent of change for the new generations, who are the hope of the Earth.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Earth Science and Geology; Masters in Clay Minerals; Storytelling & Weekly Rhythms Certification; Community Environmental TrainingTeaching Since 2018
Costa Rican Native
-
![Ana Obando Lopez]()
Ana Obando Lopez
Lead Teacher Early Years (All Subjects)
“I love to show children new things, and I believe we can create a new world through education. I like to plant seeds for positive development so our children have the opportunity to change the world and plant more beautiful seeds of their own.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Preschool Education; Medium Technician in Executive Secretaryship; several certifications in Computing, Human Relations, and Conflict ManagementTeaching Since 2017
Costa Rican Native
-
![Vale Bolanos Solorzano]()
Vale Bolanos Solorzano
Lead Teacher, Music Teacher, Art Teacher Early Years
“I love teaching because I love helping children see and shine their own light out into the world, and guiding them to expand and grow into who they’re meant to be.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Music Education; Bachelors in Educational Sciences with an emphasis in teaching; Universal Design of Learning Certified; Multiple Intelligences Certified; Mental Health Care in Education Certified, First Aid Certified; Studying musica therapia musica a la Esden School (en Espana)Teaching Since 2016
Costa Rican Native
-
![Gerrie Gomez]()
Gerrie Gomez
Lead Early Years Teacher (Nest)
“I love teaching because I find myself in a deepening understanding of true love every day in the reflections of the children. Guiding these little ones and being guided by them, fills my heart with hope and motivation, as we get to take tangible steps to create a new world together each day.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology; Masters in Environmental Research Management; Certified in Yoga for Children; Early Years Waldorf Training (3 years) with El Huerto in San JoseTeaching Since 2019
-
![Jacqueline Welsh]()
Jacqueline Welsh
Upper Years Literacy Teacher, French Specialty Course Teacher
“I am here for the magic. Teaching is an alchemical process of expressing the part of me needed to guide the children along their journey of becoming.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in English Arts; Masters in Secondary Education and English; Certified Kundalini Yoga InstructorTeaching since 1999
-
![Hazel Sibaja]()
Hazel Sibaja
Lead Art Teacher
"I love giving children the keys to ope new doors to explore themselves and the world around them."
Degrees & Certifiactions:
Studied the Faculties of Plastic Arts and Dramatic Arts in San Jose, Costa Rica; study Painting at the Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del Perú; worked as a Painter, Muralist, and contributed to numerous theater and ballet companies since 1999Teaching Since 1999
-
![Lao Lebrun]()
Lao Lebrun
Music Teacher Throughout Grades
“Music is and has been a language for me to share with others a sense of deep connection and appreciation for life. I feel honored to accompany young souls to explore this powerful medium.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Classically trained musician since age 7, specializing in violin, singing, rhythm, music theory, and classical guitar. -
![Faiza Sheikh-Mian]()
Faiza Sheikh-Mian
Adolescent and Family Coach
“My passion is to guide youth towards fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation and empowerment. It’s a gift to witness the transformation that unfolds when the aspects of mind, body and soul are aligned. Nurturing their growth during their formative years and embracing their journey of integration brings me great joy and fulfillment.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelors in Psychology w/ Minor in Sociology, Masters in Social Work; Psychotherapist + Owner at Sage & Serenity; Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Licensed Alcohol + Drug Counselor; Certified Couples + Families Therapist; Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Practitioner; Certified Yoga Teacher for Adults + Kids
Practicing Since 2013
We are so grateful for all our community collaborations!
Let’s Connect
Would you like to connect with an enrollment advisor at Life Project Education so you can get your questions answered and discover why LPE is the right place for your children to learn, grow, and thrive?