Paul Geheeb with Ecole students in the 1950's
The Ecole d’Humanité offers a holistic education, emphasizing academic excellence, practical skills and social awareness. We encourage both individual creativity and a sense of responsibility for the community, and provide a culturally diverse setting in which open minds and tolerant spirits can develop and flourish.
We take inspiration and practical guidance from:
- the principles of the educational reform movement of the early 1900’s in which the school’s founders, Edith and Paul Geheeb-Cassirer, were leading figures
- the ideas and methods of Exemplary Learning conceived by Martin Wagenschein
- Ruth C. Cohn’s Theme-Centered Interaction, a humanistic and efficient method of working with groups
Edith Geheeb-Cassirer
Five Foundational Principles
'Ecole-logical' project at Summer Festival.
Active Learning, Active Intellects, Independent Thought
Active learning and the development of independent thought lead to deep understanding, clear judgment, and decisive action.
Drama productions in English, French, German and Swiss-German
are a regular feature of life at the Ecole.
are a regular feature of life at the Ecole.
Confidence
Building on strengths – in and out of the classroom – promotes the development of confidence and courage.
Children of all ages enjoy experiential
living and learning.
Cooperation
Working with others towards a common goal requires sensitivity and a willingness to find solutions acceptable to all. A sense of pride and satisfaction results from participation in group efforts that provide a service to the community.
Working with others towards a common goal requires sensitivity and a willingness to find solutions acceptable to all. A sense of pride and satisfaction results from participation in group efforts that provide a service to the community.
Students take part in three-day and six-day hiking adventures every year.
Experiencing Nature
Close contact with nature is an important counterbalance to the dominance of technology in our lives. It can bring us inner strength and help us to appreciate and feel responsible for the local and global environment.
A visiting Bulgarian dance troupe enhances the active folkdance tradition at the Ecole.
Living in an International Community
Living in an international community enables us to gain perspective on our own cultures as we learn to appreciate and respect other cultures.
Many courses and special events are designed to develop greater cultural awareness. We have an ongoing relationship with the Luethi-Peterson Camps International, an organization that runs summer camps for children, with the goal of promoting peace through international understanding.
Living in an international community enables us to gain perspective on our own cultures as we learn to appreciate and respect other cultures.
Many courses and special events are designed to develop greater cultural awareness. We have an ongoing relationship with the Luethi-Peterson Camps International, an organization that runs summer camps for children, with the goal of promoting peace through international understanding.