Escola Concept, A dynamic and vibrant school

by Citlalli Zagal

Our day began with visiting one of Sao Paolo’s private schools. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the school’s principal, students, and staff. They greeted us with warm hospitality that lasted throughout our visits. The rooms we walked through were bright and decorated with quotes from well-known authors. The hallways were covered with students’ work and glass walls allowing us to see into the classrooms during instructional time.

Before the student-led tour began they gave us a short introduction and overview of the school and its mission: “to develop happy and thoughtful human beings who positively impact the world we live in.”

● Collaborate

● Sustainability

● Digital fluency

● Entrepreneurship

Mainly used as guides in teaching and learning practices within the community, these four pillars also constitute the practices being used within their school. This school described itself as innovative as it reinvents itself every day. The school works hard to prepare their students for the world we are living in. They affirm the students of their potential by reminding them that they are the protagonists of their lives. Impressively student-centered, the school has also set clear learning goals and expectations for them.

They promote agency and provide a variety of assessments as well as, thinking routines to facilitate their learning processes. The school also requires and expects that their teachers provide timely and specific feedback.

Visiting this school was one of the biggest academic shocks I experienced in this program.I couldn’t help but compare and wonder what a school like this would look like for students in Chicago attending public schools.

● Visitors every week to promote curiosity and expand their worldviews

● outside support- AP practice exams

● Curricular flexibility -constantly updating. Not restricting themselves to a set of standards

● Culturally fluent

● Counselors available for their students

• 3 different Counselors for different needs

• Academic, emotional, and Career

• Counselors available at any time of the day for older kids

● Small student-teacher ratio

● Observant and immediate action when they aren't doing well

● Festivals to promote and showcase their learning

● Architectural design of the building and rooms show openness and connection with and between students and faculty

● Language instruction varies and depends on the activity

• Portuguese as a last resort and used if they need it

• 90 percent of English classes

● Testing/assessments learning changes based on results

● Technology as a resource

● Being allowed to observe and provoke

The school has created a community among its students and staff. The community seems to strengthen from the openness of the teachers with their students. Counselor offices were made to have glass walls to show they are available at any time. The school’s renovations were made with nature in mind. For example, a playground was built around and up one of the biggest trees in their area. What was also very surprising was seeing how the whole school excels in another language that is not their native one. 90 percent of the classes were taught in English and students used Portuguese as a last resort if they needed it. English being taught is not only what was interesting but it’s also keeping in mind that their official language is Portuguese which is over 90% of the population’s first language.

Visiting this school was very important to me as it gave me further insight into the disparities in the education system. This school is abundant in resources and support needed for optimal individual growth and progress. Students and teachers in lower-income schools would greatly benefit from the same support and practices being provided in Concept. As a future teacher, I look forward to creating a safe environment where students feel welcome to express themselves artistically.