Holistic Education in Costa Rica
Pre-School, Elementary, Middle School, and High 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, accredited academics beginning in grade 1, 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 education model currently serves resident and seasonal families with children ages 3-15 (Pre School-Grade 9).
A small group dynamic assures our students receive individualized attention and support in all content areas and we work closely with new families to ensure a seamless transition into our school and community.
What We Offer
We offer an alternative, legally-compliant schooling option for local and seasonal families. While the majority of our enrolled families are full-time residents who commit to a full academic school year with us, we offer occasional 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: All full-year students are automatically enrolled in our USA grade-level accreditation partner, West River Academy beginning in grade 1.
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.
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Inspired by wonder, a child’s learning journey begins as a vibrant & sacred unfolding prioritizing exploration and imagination.
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As intellectual capacity & curiosity grows, guided academics are introduced while continuing to honor and activate their innate motivations to create & explore.
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Unfolding as independent, self-aware learners, our oldest students dive into more rigorous and sophisticated academic themes and social-emotional learning.
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Our children have diverse interests, and we’re excited to offer activities after school hours that allow them to explore their interests in community.
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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!
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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 have shifted 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. Now, Life Project Education is a thriving international community-based learning center comprised of like-minded,
We support this transformation.
We support you!
What LPE Families Are Saying
Meet Our Core Staff
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![Alys Robinson]()
Alys Robinson
Founder & Visionary Owner of Life Project Director of Education Early & Middle Years Literacy Specialist High School Academic Advisor
“Lead with Love”
Degrees & Certifications:
M.Ed Curriculum Design and Instruction Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Single Subject English Credential Reading Specialist Credential TEFL Certification, GATE Certification Sunbridge Leadership TrainingTeaching since 2002
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![David Nisman Troyo]()
David Nisman Troyo
Director of Community Relations Middle Years, Upper Years, & High School Permaculture & Environmental Science
“I love teaching because I love creating spaces of freedom for collective knowledge to sprout.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor’s in Psychology Certified in Organic Farming and Community Agriculture, & Environmental Psychology Permaculture Design CertificationTeaching Since 2011
Costa Rican Native
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![Rachel Solt]()
Rachel Solt
Community Educator Early, Middle, Upper Years, & Families Anthroposophical Specialty Workshops
“Children are our greatest teachers. They remind me daily to trust in the ever present magic of our world. “
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor’s in International Relations Master’s in Education Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certified Sunbridge Leadership Training Author: The Starfather’s GiftTeaching Since 1999
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![Karuna Saucy]()
Karuna Saucy
Early Years Educator (on leave) Spanish Immersion Connection Practice Youth Instructor
"I love teaching because I love watching students grow and transform into positive and creative agents of change in the world."
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts major in Social Change Master’s in Education focused on Teaching in International Schools Certified Connection Practice Coach -
![Pablo Carvajal Artavia]()
Pablo Carvajal Artavia
Middle Years Grade 3-5 Educator Spanish, Science, & Physical Education
“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:
Bachelor’s in Earth Science and Geology Master’s in Clay Minerals Storytelling & Weekly Rhythms Certification Community Environmental TrainingTeaching Since 2018
Costa Rican Native
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![Ana Obando Lopez]()
Ana Obando Lopez
Early Years Kindergarten Educator Spanish Immersion
“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:
Bachelor’s in Elementary EducationTeaching Since 2017
Costa Rican Native
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![Gerrie Gomez]()
Gerrie Gomez
Early Years Kindergarten Educator English Immersion
“Guiding children 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:
Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology Master’s in Environmental Research Management Certified in Yoga for Children Early Years Waldorf TrainingTeaching Since 2019
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![Hazel Sibaja]()
Hazel Sibaja
Community Art Teacher (on leave)
"I love giving children the keys to open new doors to explore themselves and the world around them."
Degrees & Certifications:
Student of the Faculties of Plastic Arts and Dramatic Arts in San Jose, Costa Rica Painting Specialist at the Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del PerúTeaching Since 1999
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![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:
Bachelor’s in Psychology w/ Minor in Sociology Master’s 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
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Dr. Allie Mouret
Upper Years and High School Educator Grade 6-9 English Literature, Composition, & Oral Communication
“I believe that literacy is more than just mastering language- it’s a gateway to understanding the world and our place in it.”
Degrees & Certifications:
PhD Media & Communications Master of Arts, Liberal Arts Master of Journalism Secondary Education (grade 7-12) Teaching Credentials: Journalism, English, English as a Second Language
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Nicolas Tejada
Upper Years & High School Educator Grade 6-9 Spanish & Latin American History
“Tengo muchas ganas de compartir, descubrir y revalorizr la riqueza multicultural de America Latina con los estudiantes y sus familias”
Degrees & Certifications:
M.Ed Social Justice Bachelor’s in Humanities, Linguistics, & Literature Diploma in Intercultural Justice
Teaching since 2014
Peruvian Native
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Angelique Metta
Middle & Upper Years Educator Grade 3-5, Grade 6-9 Mathematics and Literacy Specialist
“Math interprets the language of the universe. Humanities interpret the languages of humans. We’ll discover both and have fun doing it!”
Degrees & Certifications:
Master’s Degree in Education Master of Waldorf Education Barton Dyslexia Reading Tutor Bachelor’s in Marketing Social Entrepreneurship Certification TEFL Certification Peace Corps Volunteer, Paraguay
Teaching since 2012
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Lena Bogner
Early Years Grade 1-2 Educator Specialty: Literacy, Humanities, Fine Arts
“With a strong foundation in psychology and child-centered learning, I strive to inspire students to view learning as a lifelong journey.”
Degrees & Certifications:
Master’s in Education, emphasis in Music, Psychology, & English Education Montessori Teacher Training Certified Yoga Instructor
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Cristel Chaves Blanco
Pre-School & PreKindergarden Bilingual Immersion
“Es un alegria y satisfaccion para mi brindarle a las familias un espacio para crecer y conectar desde el corazon.”
Degrees & Certifications:
University of Costa Rica, Art Education with emphasis in Ceramics Waldorf Teacher Training, Primary Education
Costa Rican Native
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Pedro Chartier
Community Music & Woodworking Educator
“With a passion for music education and a focus on non-directive pedagogy and Montessori methods, I specialize in teaching ukulele, guitar, piano, and percussion.”
Degrees & Certifications:
University of Costa Rica, Music Education
ULICORI, Music Education
Teaching & Performing since 2017
Costa Rican Native
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Amanda Filipczuk
Director of Administration (Enrollment, Human Resources, Family Integration, On-Site Reception)
“With a background in community-based international development and non profit organization leadership, higher education administration, and community management, I am delighted to bring a varied range of skills and aptitudes into our ecosystem.”
Degrees & Certifications
Master’s in International Women’s Studies Master’s in Development Practice Bachelor’s in Sociology Change Management Certification Certification in Managing for a Changing Environment
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Carolina Rodriguez Escobar
Early Years Grade 1-2 Educator Spanish Immersion, Math
“When we are fully present for our students, we allow them to feel seen, heard, and valued.”
Degrees & Certifications:
M.A. Arts & Visual Culture Bachelor’s degree in Art History & Visual Culture Montessori Early Years International Diploma Certified Yoga & Mindfulness for Children
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Morty Ng
Upper Years & High School Fitness Educator
“Physical education is not just about developing strength and coordination, but about fostering confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for movement, health, and well-being”
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor’s of Arts, University of Windsor Crossfit Level 1 & 2 Certifications CanFitPro Personal Trainer Certification Crossfit Kids Certification in progress
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?