10 Most Unusual Schools In The World

Summary

This video explores some of the most unusual schools around the world, highlighting unique learning environments shaped by necessity, creativity, and cultural contexts. It features boat schools in flood-prone Bangladesh, a witchcraft school in Salem, China’s cave schools, and even a school inside a soccer stadium in Argentina. Other notable schools include a tech-forward institution in Philadelphia, a progressive school in London, and an outdoor forest kindergarten in Europe. The video sheds light on educational innovation, overcoming challenges, and providing access to learning in unexpected ways.

Takeaways

• 😀 Boat schools in Bangladesh are a creative solution to provide education in flood-affected areas, offering solar power, internet, and libraries.
• 😀 The Witch School of Salem offers classes in witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism, with most students learning online, rooted in the historic Salem witch trials.
• 😀 The Dong Jong Cave School in China operated out of necessity in a cave but was eventually closed by the government due to unsuitable conditions.
• 😀 Students at Riverplate School in Argentina attend classes inside a world-class soccer stadium, with occasional distractions from practicing players.
• 😀 The School of the Future in Philadelphia provides students with laptops and a paperless learning environment, focusing on technology and low-income households.
• 😀 Burges Hill School in England was known for its unstructured and progressive approach, allowing students to smoke, bring pets, and even skip lessons.
• 😀 Gulu Elementary School in China is located in a remote mountain area, requiring students to navigate treacherous paths to reach school, with renovations done by villagers.
• 😀 Harvey Milk High School in New York was created to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and has faced challenges but continues to thrive.
• 😀 Train Platform Schools in India were established by teacher Inder Kurana to bring education to children in impoverished areas, with lessons conducted between train stops.
• 😀 Forest Kindergartens in Europe engage young children with outdoor classrooms where they learn by interacting with nature, rain or shine.

Q & A

What is the purpose of boat schools in Bangladesh?

Boat schools in Bangladesh are established as a solution to flooding that affects millions of citizens, disrupting access to education. They provide an accessible and mobile educational environment, especially in flood-prone areas.

How do boat schools in Bangladesh ensure access to technology?

Boat schools are equipped with solar power, internet access, and even a library, ensuring that students can benefit from modern technology and resources despite being on boats.

What unique aspect does the Witch School in Salem focus on?

The Witch School in Salem offers classes on witchcraft, Wicca, paganism, and divinatory arts, providing an educational space dedicated to these topics, which is a significant departure from traditional schools.

Why was the Witch School moved from Roseville to Salem?

The Witch School moved from Roseville, Chicago, after facing opposition from local Christians who objected to the school and even sprinkled holy water on the vehicles of students.

What was the reason for the establishment of Dong Jong Cave School in China?

The Dong Jong Cave School was built out of necessity in one of China’s poorest areas, where the village could not afford to build a traditional school, prompting the use of a cave as a classroom.

Why was the Dong Jong Cave School closed in 2001?

The Chinese government closed the Dong Jong Cave School in 2001, citing concerns that such an environment was unsuitable for education, and it was not aligned with modern educational standards.

What is the unique setting for Riverplate School in Argentina?

The Riverplate School is located inside the famous River Plate soccer stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This gives students a unique experience, surrounded by the stadium atmosphere while attending class.

What technological advancements are featured at the School of the Future in Philadelphia?

The School of the Future in Philadelphia is a paperless school where each student is provided with a laptop. The school is technologically advanced and aims to prepare students for a fast-paced digital world.

What made Bridges Hill School in England so unusual during the 1960s?

Bridges Hill School in England was known for its progressive and unconventional approach, allowing students to smoke, listen to music, wear sunglasses, and even bring pets to class, making it a social experiment rather than a traditional school.

What challenges do students at Gulu Elementary School in China face to attend class?

Students at Gulu Elementary School in China must navigate dangerous mountain paths, including narrow, rocky passages and rickety bridges, just to get to the school, highlighting the extreme efforts involved in accessing education in the area.

What is the primary mission behind the train platform schools in India?

The train platform schools in India aim to bring education to impoverished children who do not have access to a traditional school. The program was initiated by teacher Inder Kurana and provides education during train rides between stops.

How do Forest Kindergartens in Europe differ from traditional schools?

Forest Kindergartens in Europe provide children aged 3 to 6 with outdoor classrooms where they engage with nature. The curriculum focuses on interacting with the natural environment, allowing children to learn about the outdoors through hands-on experiences.