15 Incredibly unique schools your kids would love to attend

Around this time of year, kids have to accept the fact that it's time to go back to school. Whether they've already hit the books, or their counting down the days until school starts, there's no doubt they're a bit reluctant about going back to school. But what if they weren't dreading returning to school?

Well, if they attended any of these unique institutions, there's no way they'd be dreading heading back to school!

These are hands down some of the COOLEST and most unique schools from across the globe. Each one has a distinct approach to learning and one of a kind learning environment that leave kids in awe! Take a look at these rare and interesting schools that--to be frank--only Hogwarts could compete with!

Steve Jobs School, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

(Source: Steve Jobs School)

Steve Jobs School is a vigorous opponent of the impersonal approach in which all students are simply treated in the same way. According to them, every student should have their own individual learning plan that takes into account their talents, skills, and interests. This plan is evaluated and readjusted every six weeks by the child, his or her parents, and the coach. The school is open for students in grades 4 to 12.

The Makoko Floating School, Lagos, Nigeria

(Source: nleworks)

This floating school is a unique on-water building situated in Africa’s coastal region. This all-ages school was originally built to resist rising water levels in the lagoon. Having both classrooms and play areas, this unusual watercraft has the capacity to safely support up to 100 children, even in extreme weather conditions.

Bright Works, San Francisco, California

(Source: sfbrightworks.org)

The teachers in this school have taken some of the most dangerous things parents tell their kids not to do and made an entire curriculum out of them. Children are allowed to get dirty, play with fire, disassemble household appliances, as well as draw pictures all in the same day. This strategy lets students be co-authors of their learning.

The school of Silicon Valley, San Francisco, California

(Source: businessinsider)

This school has nothing to do with the principles of a traditional approach to teaching. The learning strategy aims to get kids thinking flexibly and to improve children’s technology skills. Kids take attendance on an iPad, complete a ’playlist’ of activities, and learn 3D modeling software to design playhouses. The school educates kids aged 4 to 14.

The school in a cube, Copenhagen, Denmark

(Source: Ørestad Gymnasium / facebook.com)

This school is one giant classroom attended by more than 1,100 high school students. The lessons are held in an expansive glass cube, called a gymnasium. The open space is divided into separate sections by ’drums’ with comfortable seating areas, which should encourage students’ flexibility and creative thinking.

A gender-neutral school, Stockholm, Sweden

(Source: Newsweek)

The ’greenest’ school in the world, France

(Source: ArchDaily)

It seems that every square meter of this school has been used as a lawn. The roof of the building and all the backyards are covered with grass. It is believed that sitting in dusty classrooms is harmful, and students should get more fresh air by spending as much time outdoors as possible. In warm weather, the classes are held directly on the lawns.

A school with an individual approach to students, Australia

(Source: wahroongaprep)

Apart from the unusual and bright exterior design, the teaching strategy adopted by this school is also far from traditional. All students here have their own individual learning plan which can easily be adjusted by teachers and parents. Children also have the right to make their proposals to improve the educational process and make it more comfortable. And one more distinctive feature of this school — all the classes here are held in small groups.

The school where children learn on mountains and in caves, Stockholm, Sweden

(Source: rosanbosch.com)

It’s unlikely that children will experience boredom at this school because, thanks to experienced designers, it looks more like a magical world where kids can scale a mountain, duck into a cave, and chat by a tree. You won’t find any classrooms here — the whole building is one huge open space. The students use computers to perform their tasks, and the learning plan also incorporates music, dance, and art.

The school where there is no pressure and stress, Espoo, Finland

(Source: finland.fi)

During classes, the students are given the freedom to sit wherever they want and chat with their friends. They can even jump on the chair or lie down on the sofa if they are tired. The atmosphere in the classroom is very positive and relaxed. The school has a library, gym, assembly hall, and a youth club.

The school that promotes compassion and creativity, New York, USA

(Source: washingtontimes.com)

The founders of this educational institution believe that school needs to be more like a playground. According to them, this encourages students to devote more time to learning. Children in grades 2 to 8 discuss ways to improve recycling, create 3D models of New York City, and do a lot of other fun things that develop children’s curiosity.

The school that looks like an office, Ohio, USA

(Source:carpediemschools)

This school has no classrooms. Inside the main room there is one huge office with 300 cubicles (one for each student). Each student has their own computer that guides them through their individual learning plan. The students learn on their own, and if they have questions they can turn to instructors for help. The school is open to all students in grades 3-12.

The school in the real world, Rhode Island, United States

(Source: bigpicture.org)

From the very beginning, the students learn what they really like. In order to help teenagers find and pursue their professional passions, the students are paired with mentors who work in the fields the children want to enter someday. This means that the students are taught only what they will really need in their future careers. This teaching strategy is currently adopted by 55 schools nationwide.

The brightest elementary school, Stockholm, Sweden

(Source:archiscene.net)

Instead of traditional libraries, this original school features multi-use ’learning corridors’ that have discrete spaces for media presentations in the framework of the curriculum. There are also areas for quiet individual learning and small group projects. Besides that, all learning corridors have Wi-Fi access throughout. As the heart of the school, the learning corridor promotes collaboration between students and educators and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary and inter-grade learning. The corridors are equipped according to modern standards, bringing the learning process to a new and more advanced level.

The school without subjects, Toronto, Canada

(Source: billionnews.ru)

This is the school where students are treated on a par with the teachers. The educators here are the observers who can only advise the students but not force them. There are no homework assignments, assessments, or strict schedules. The students, regardless of their age, attend only the classes they like. The children are also free to decide how to spend their school day and what to do.

This story was originally shared by Bright Side.

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Written by

Santiago Santa Cruz

English