Groups

Learn About West River Academy Groups

Posted on October 31, 2024November 1, 2024 by Rachel Nishikawa

Learn About West River Academy Groups

Posted on October 31, 2024

At West River Academy, our mission is to nurture the unique paths of self-led learners around the world. Founded on an unschooling approach, we believe in empowering students to follow their curiosity and develop a lifelong love of learning through their interests and explorations. While some students enroll with us individually, others join through learning groups—small communities of families and educators who share our vision for self-directed education. These groups provide students with a supportive, dynamic environment where they can explore, grow, and learn in ways that resonate with them personally.

To celebrate and connect with the diverse communities within West River Academy, we feature a blog series called “WRA Groups.” This series highlights the unique learning groups that have joined our academy, each formed around their own values, ideas, and local communities. We are proud to support over 100 groups worldwide, each with complete freedom to design educational experiences that best meet their students’ needs. These groups vary widely, reflecting our belief that learning should be as unique as each individual and group of students.

One of the most vibrant segments of our WRA community includes our Spanish-speaking groups, which have grown to 96. Leading these groups is our dedicated manager, Milagros Burga, who brings her passion for unschooling and community-building to support these families in their self-led educational journeys. Recently, we welcomed Karen Abe to our team, who now assists 46 additional groups, bringing her own expertise and enthusiasm to help our groups flourish.

Meet Our Groups Team

Karen Abe

Karen Abe is Peggy’s eldest daughter and grew up being unschooled as West River Academy’s first student. She spent her teenage years pursuing her passions of horseback-riding, swing dancing, and reading historical fiction and sci-fi. After graduating from West River Academy, she went on to finish a four-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on Project Management. She began working full-time for a financial services company when she was 18, and worked full-time while going to college full-time (and continuing to swing dance in her spare moments!).

She left the financial services company in 2014 after getting married to Brian, and they traveled the world for a few months on an extended honeymoon. In February 2015 she joined Peggy at West River Academy to assist her with the growing school. With her sisters Stacey and Rachel joining soon afterwards, the family business began expanding rapidly. In 2018 she moved from Denver, Colorado to live in an ecovillage (La Ecovilla) in Costa Rica with her husband and their 2-year old son. After her daughter was born in 2019, she stepped back from her position as Assistant Director of West River Academy to be a devoted mother to her toddler son and infant daughter in their early years.

In the fall of 2024 her family started a new chapter and moved to Encinitas, California. Her son, Jason, is now 8 years old and her daughter, Lily, is 5 years old, and they are enjoying their homeschooled life in California. She is happy to be returning to West River Academy and supporting families and groups of students in their educational journey.

Milagros Burga

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Milagros Burga has always been a social person with a love for group activities. Growing up with the freedom to pursue her interests, she spent her childhood surrounded by friends, pets, and the joy of nature. She studied music, played the guitar, and joined an Argentine folk music group with her best friends, performing around Argentina, Spain, and Italy. After high school, Milagros earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Arts with an emphasis on Lyric Singing, followed by an opera specialization at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón (ISATC). Her career allowed her to travel throughout Latin America and Europe, performing in various opera productions.

In 2020, she married Roger, who also works with WRA. Introduced to Peggy and her family in 2022, Milagros is now a valued member of the West River Academy team, supporting Spanish-speaking groups and graduates, and hosting the December Graduation Ceremony.

How groups work?

To ensure that every group aligns with our philosophy, we hold one-on-one meetings with each group’s administrator. These conversations help us confirm that each group’s approach resonates with our mission—to foster curiosity, warmth, and natural learning. Through these partnerships, we can guide and support our groups as they create nurturing, curiosity-driven learning environments for their students.

If you, or someone you know, is educating children in a group setting and could benefit from the accreditation and support West River Academy provides, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can continue building a global network of learners and educators dedicated to fostering a love of learning and discovery. We’re here to support your journey and welcome you to our growing community.

Puerto Vallarta “Learning with Friends” – WRA Group in Mexico

Posted on October 31, 2024November 18, 2024 by Rachel Nishikawa

Puerto Vallarta “Learning with Friends” – WRA Group in Mexico

Posted on October 31, 2024

Recently, West River Academy’s Creative Director, Rachel Nishikawa, and Group Manager, Milagros “Mili” Burga, traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to visit one of the academy’s unique learning groups, “Learning with Friends.” This exceptional group embodies our values of freedom, curiosity, and a strong moral foundation. Meeting the group’s administrators, Rachel and Mili had the chance to learn about the inspiring origins of this small yet thriving learning community and witness the ways in which they bring education to life in the beautiful, natural environment of Puerto Vallarta.

The story of “Learning with Friends” began with a simple, yet generous idea. One of the founding parents had inherited a large property and, instead of keeping it private, collaborated with other families to create an educational space for their children. What started as a parent-led initiative has blossomed into a vibrant community where students are encouraged to learn and grow through self-directed exploration. This collaboration has brought together families who share a common vision for education that values both personal freedom and ethical development.

One of the standout aspects of “Learning with Friends” is their focus on outdoor education. Nestled in the beautiful region of Puerto Vallarta, many of their programs are designed to immerse students in the surrounding nature. Classes and activities take place outdoors, allowing students to experience the environment as an interactive classroom. Students regularly go on field trips, exploring Puerto Vallarta’s rich geography and cultural heritage. From visiting local landmarks to learning about the area’s ecosystems, students are able to deepen their understanding of the world around them through real-life experiences.

The group also emphasizes values-based learning, with a focus on cultivating empathy, respect, and a strong moral compass. Education here goes beyond traditional academics to encompass personal development and character building. Students learn to respect each other and the environment, creating a harmonious, inclusive space that aligns closely with West River Academy’s mission. This ethos has fostered a sense of joy and enthusiasm among students, who thrive in this supportive, community-oriented environment.

Thanks to West River Academy’s support, “Learning with Friends” has also gained government validation, which gives families the reassurance of formal recognition while maintaining the flexibility and freedom inherent to their approach.

This group continues to grow, and West River Academy is proud to support them in creating such an exceptional place for students to learn and thrive.

Mentes Brillantes: A Visionary Education in Ecuador

Posted on June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 by Monica Oliveros

Mentes Brillantes: A Visionary Education in Ecuador

Posted on June 21, 2024

The foundation of Mentes Brillantes is a story rooted in a mother’s desire to create a unique and supportive educational environment for her child. Sonnia de Carrion, who has dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching, envisioned a different kind of education while pregnant with her daughter. Concerned that unschooling might be a lonely option for her only child, Sonnia sought to create a nurturing, safe, and engaging learning environment.

Mentes Brillantes started as informal gatherings in 2019, where Sonnia’s daughter and children of close friends, who shared similar educational philosophies, participated in English and cooking classes and enjoyed ample free play. The core of this initiative was the joy and growth witnessed among these children, all of whom shared the same religious beliefs as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

From Informal Gatherings to a Flourishing School

What began as casual classes quickly evolved into a more structured program. Overcoming numerous challenges, Sonnia and her husband discovered West River Academy, an institution perfectly aligned with their vision of a values-based, safe school. Starting with 20 students, Mentes Brillantes adapted swiftly to the pandemic, expanding its reach to 100 online students. The dedication of Sonnia and her husband, who initially ran the school alone, was instrumental in this growth.

As the school grew, more teachers were hired, and students were divided into grades. By 2022, Mentes Brillantes began seeking a physical location for in-person classes. Currently, they serve 315 students through a mix of presential, online, and hybrid modalities.

Pre-K to 6th grade students can attend school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, while Thursday classes are available online. Fridays are free for these students. For 7th to 12th-grade students, in-person classes are held on Thursdays and Fridays, with the option to attend online. They have online courses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Mondays are free. All in-person classes are available live and online.

A Holistic Approach to Education

The school emphasizes holistic education, incorporating extracurricular activities such as Spelling Bees, Theater plays, choreographies, Art Contests, Music talent shows, and Field trips. These events reinforce the students’ talents and knowledge, providing a well-rounded educational experience.

Assessment at Mentes Brillantes includes four annual tests, which can be taken online or in person. Their graduation program is particularly noteworthy. In the 12th grade, students select a topic they are passionate about and write a research paper. This process includes deadlines, rules, and meetings in English to discuss the topics, guided by project tutors. If a student is not proficient in English, they are allowed to complete the project in Spanish.

At the end of the year, students present their research orally to judges, summarizing their year-long investigation and discussing their findings and conclusions. This exercise helps develop essential soft skills such as public speaking and research capabilities.

Building a Supportive Community

The journey of Mentes Brillantes has been marked by growth and success, primarily attributed to the supportive community of educators, students, and parents and the significant support from West River Academy. The school’s commitment to each student and their families is evident in every aspect of its approach.

Sonnia de Carrion’s vision has flourished into a vibrant community where students learn, play, and grow together. With Jehovah’s blessing, Mentes Brillantes has seen two groups of students graduate in 2023 and 2024, a testament to the school’s dedication and effectiveness.

Looking forward, Mentes Brillantes aims to continue fostering the abilities and spiritual qualities necessary for their students to succeed in life. The collaboration with West River Academy and the strong sense of community promises a bright future for this innovative educational initiative.

Jaco Learning Center – WRA Group in Costa Rica

Posted on March 31, 2024April 9, 2024 by Rachel Nishikawa

Jaco Learning Center – WRA Group in Costa Rica

Posted on March 31, 2024

Collaboration is key at Jaco Learning Center because the teachers, parents and students work closely together to create a learning experience built on creativity, unity and natural learning. They have created a beautiful learning space that has different sections based on age range. They have an outdoor space, a second-level sport section, a music area, divisions within the building to separate the learning areas and they fill each space with age-appropriate learning materials such as books, craft projects and other educational games and activities. The parents and teachers work well together to design learning themes. In addition to the natural curiosity that comes with living in Costa Rica’s tropical climate, the parents and teachers prioritize critical thinking skills and it is very important to teach the students about how they can directly create a positive impact on their community.

In March, our Creative Director, Rachel Nishikawa, had the fantastic opportunity to visit and meet with the Principal, Brittany. With three of her own children enrolled, Brittany radiates a profound dedication to the unschooling ethos. Her warmth and boundless compassion are evident in every interaction. She gave Rachel a tour of their vibrant learning hub where children thrive at their own rhythm.

We enjoy connecting with our groups around the world because it is fascinating to see how alternative education can be applied in various cultures. In countries where withdrawing students from the government educational system is illegal, families who dare to do so run the risk of being arrested or reported to social services. In order to reduce the risk of this happening, families enroll in West River Academy and demonstrate with their Confirmation of Enrollment documents that they are complying with compulsory attendance laws by enrolling in a private school in the United States. They can also present official transcripts to prove the student has completed grade levels. Worldschoolers and other ex-pats who join learning communities may feel safer being enrolled with a school such as West River Academy.

WRA Groups: Meet Los Castaños from El Salvador

Posted on November 29, 2023February 22, 2024 by Monica Oliveros

WRA Groups: Meet Los Castaños from El Salvador

Posted on November 29, 2023

We’d like to introduce you to one of our 102 groups world-wide in West River Academy. Los Castaños is a group in El Salvador that is committed to educating their students in an expansive way. This year celebrates seven years of educating students and teaching the community about alternative education.

The phenomenon of unschooling can be found in various ways: families who travel and their education is based on the cultures they discover on their journeys; some families do unschooling because their children are high performers in sports; others because they disagree with traditional education and many other reasons.

Los Castaños

If we delve even further into how to carry out unschooling, we have families that do it individually and others in a community manner. Today, we want to show you this latest modality of unschooling, which is in a group-organized way, similar to a school structure outside of the traditional system.

Los Castaños was founded by Claudia Turcios, a Salvadorian who has embraced Natural Learning and is committed to providing practical knowledge for the next generation. Her vision was put into action on November 26, 2016, when she organized a small group of families to learn topics such as agriculture, cooking, managing finances, and the list goes on. Seven years later, her dream has expanded and now provides a solution to hundreds of families. This current year, she has more than 80 students and 20 teachers who share the same vision.

What is the experience in Los Castaños like?

This alternative and bilingual school consists of children ages 3-18. Claudia and her team are with them on their educational process each step of the way. This is the second year that 12th graders will be graduating and certified by West River Academy.

Their methodology is a mix of Montessori, supported by emotional intelligence with a firm foundation of ethics. This is not a school where you leave your children at the school door mindlessly. The participation of families is essential for the healthy functioning of this institution.

Among their students, they have the competence and training to receive neuro-divergent students with autism, giftedness, and Down syndrome, which makes educational life inclusive and without distinctions in terms of opportunities and activities. Everyone is equally invited to participate in the different educational events offered by the school.

In addition to life in the classrooms, Los Castaños offers field activities that are previously planned and can be seen in their annual calendars—visits to museums and local or national parks. Even everyday places such as grocery shopping for their meals provide a guided experience to cultivate practical life skills.

“At Los Castaños, we educate for peace.”

Claudia shared with us what a typical day looks like for them. The idea is that the day is flexible and offers an array of subject areas they can learn at their fingertips.

Of its 20 teachers and facilitators, some are permanent for each grade and others rotate to provide different natural learning activities weekly: music, cooking, arts, Kenpo/Karate, studio arts and design, and entrepreneurship. They actively participate in the Recicla 503 program as ambassadors of environmental care. They offer swimming, coding, yoga, mindfulness, and other practical and optional activities.

One of the main priorities to them is to have a comprehensive emotional education program, which promotes “self-knowledge, management of emotions and feelings, management of tension and stress, assertive communication, empathy, interpersonal relationships, conflict management, decision making, critical thinking, and creativity.”

Graduandos Los Castaños West River Academy

Graduation 2023

As we had mentioned, 5 of their students are graduating this year. One of the fundamental requirements at West River Academy is to complete an Educational Biography, a written essay about their educational journey from as far back as they can remember until now.

Claudia tells us that this activity was therapeutic for these young adults since they were able to internalize and reflect on everything they had learned. She said that this will have a positive impact on their future as adults, in more ways than we can know.

We are very excited to celebrate all of our high school graduates on December 15, 2023!

Inspiration for everyone

Now that you know these spaces exist and are a reality, we hope to inspire other families to join, organize, and form a community. Likewise, search within your local area because without knowing it, there may be a school very similar to Los Castaños near you, where your children can obtain alternative, emotional, and ethical education in their community.

All the images in this article are actual photos of Los Castaños. Here are some pictures of its facilities: