Forest School

As a Forest school we thrive in nature, see ourselves as a learning ecosystem and privilege contact with nature which offers many opportunities for development, learning, and movement. Children and adolescents of all ages tend to engage more in activities and form connections more easily when they have access to nearby green spaces and use nature as a learning framework. In addition to improving their motor coordination and balance, spending time in green spaces helps address physical issues and provides benefits that impact children’s health. Some of these benefits include breathing cleaner air, developing greater tolerance to textures and sensory stimuli, and recognizing aspects of the physical environment that aid in visuomotor development.

Forest Schools aim to connect and reconnect children with nature, based on sustainable environmental education that promotes deep learning through exploration, self-awareness, and environmental care.

“Forest Schools” help develop social skills such as empathy, solidarity, teamwork, and frustration management. They also strengthen the immune system, physical endurance, fine and gross motor skills. They encourage divergent thinking, cognitive development, and concentration.

What are the differences between a Forest School and a Country School?

Learning takes place in natural environments.

Forest Schools have native nature, while country schools do not necessarily.

Forest Schools are located outside cities.

The learning methodology differs from traditional approaches.

Country schools within cities may be exposed to the same levels of noise or air pollution as schools with non-country infrastructure.

We are the first Forest School with modern and cutting-edge education.

We are environmentally responsible, leveraging the care and protection of our over 11,000 square meters of forest and natural surroundings. We teach respect for nature by implementing preservation and conservation actions. With electives in exploration, we conduct activities such as hiking, wildlife observation and cataloging, camping, and training in brigades and survival. In technology, we engage in gardening and innovation of systems for irrigation and tilling automation. We fully utilize our environment for interdisciplinary learning across 5 key areas:

Exploration and Survival

With over 6 hours of training and 2 hours of exploration per month, we help our students understand and practice exploration skills, landmark navigation, and landscape attention. This program includes spending time in our forest ecosystem, entry and exit maneuvers, improving physical endurance, handling camping tools under the leave no trace philosophy, using wood-fired stoves, setting up and taking down tents, ensuring safe camping spaces, safety in climbing and descending with ropes, and basic first aid.

Biodiversity

In the past 6 months, we have identified over 80 species in our nearby ecosystem, approximately 20 non-vascular plant species such as mosses, lichens, and ferns, and another 60 vascular plant species, including the endemic Escallonia myrtilloides. Escallonia Myrtilloides, una especie endémica del ecosistema.

In fauna, we have identified around 40 species of arthropods (joint-legged), including arachnids, butterflies, and weevils. Among vertebrates, we reported the Sabana Snake (Atractus crassicaudatus) and about 20 bird species, including the Pava (Penelope montagnii) and the Long-tailed Hummingbird (Lesbia victoriae). For mammals, we use camera traps at the school's borders and have previously recorded the Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). We are also working on monitoring the aquatic ecosystem in collaboration with Progresar S.A. – E.S.P, aiming to determine water quality with bioindicators, which is crucial for maintaining updated information on biodiversity and the conservation of biological resources, including ecosystem services.Atractus crassicaudatus). En la categoría de Aves aproximadamente 20 especies, resaltando la presencia de la Pava (Penelope montagnii), y el colibrí Cola de Raqueta Lesbia victorae. Para mamíferos, se realizan actividades de monitoreo utilizando cámaras de fototrampeo en los linderos del colegio y previo a ello existe registro de Zarigüeya (Didelphis marsupialis). Es importante mencionar que se está trabajando en el monitoreo del ecosistema acuático desde el enfoque participativo con la empresa progresar s.a – e.s.p, cuyo propósito es determinar la calidad del agua con organismos bioindicadores (que responden a cambios en el ecosistema), cuya importancia es mantener la información actualizada sobre el estado de la biodiversidad y conservación de los recursos biológicos, incluyendo los servicios ecosistémicos.

Waste Management

We have an environmental committee made up of students and teachers, with the primary goal of reforming plastic waste collection (PET) through the blue bins distributed through out the school.

Our commitment is to reduce paper use and promote reuse in the library and teachers’ rooms to help reduce tree cutting.

Organic waste is collected in the cafeteria and sent to government entities for animal feed and the creation of fertilizers and soil amendments.

We have integrated our PRAE (Environmental and Educational Plan) with classroom leaders to conduct pedagogical projects that promote the analysis and understanding of local, regional, and national environmental issues and potentialities, and create participation spaces to implement solutions aligned with natural and socio-cultural dynamics.

Resource Management

La Colina School is characterized by its effective management of internal resources, focusing on key aspects to ensure operational and educational excellence. This includes strategic budgeting for academic activities, technological updates of facilities, periodic maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, and continuous training of educational and administrative staff. This comprehensive approach to resource management enables La Colina to maintain a conducive learning environment and holistic student development, ensuring long-term sustainability of its educational mission.

We also leverage our environment for planting, harvesting, and proper water usage.

Environmental Protection

La Colina School is committed to protecting the valuable environment around us. From observing and visiting the surrounding forest to raising awareness about the San Rafael reservoir, we continuously promote the care and protection of these resources. Our goal is to create awareness of our environment, which provides us with clean air and overall well-being. Water conservation, as a vital resource, is a core pillar of the school due to the planet's misuse of water bodies. Through exploration of surrounding forests in natural science classes and other practices like landscaping and terrain recognition in social studies, the institution is established as a stronghold in preservation and conservation issues, raising awareness among children and youth who will carry these experiences home, involving the community in the richness of our resources.