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We equip your teen for the changing world with creativity, courage, and purpose.
For the generation who refuses to sleepwalk into the future.
Emergence Program at Life Project School
A High School Experience for the Next Generation
Emergence Year is a full-time, future-ready high school program in Costa Rica designed for 14–16 year olds. It gives your teen the academics they need — and the life skills, confidence, and purpose that conventional classrooms don’t provide.
Addressing complex challenges requires a new kind of leadership—where the inner meets the outer.
20th century education needs an update for 21st century souls
a new kind of learning
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A unique, inspiring and life-long memories and relationship experience.
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A deeper sense of purpose and progress towards realizing their gifts to create the life they want.
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A community of peers, mentors, and guides who inspire and support them
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A portfolio that showcases their talents and projects
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Confidence in who they are and how they can create their future
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Real-world skills in design, collaboration, leadership, and systems thinking
in this collaboration between life project and the Gift academy, students walk away with:
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The real problem of humanity is:
We have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.
E.O. Wilson
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Portfolio-based assessment instead of grades, showcasing real achievements.
Proof of Progress
Teens discover who they are and what they can contribute.
Confidence & Purpose
A close-knit community with partnerships in the bio-region.
Supportive Environment
Leadership, collaboration, systems thinking, and regenerative design.
Practical Skills for Life
Mentorship, wellness, and emotional intelligence woven into daily learning.
Whole-Person Growth
Core academics combined with hands-on, real-world applications.
Future-Ready Education
We’re not just preparing students for tests—we’re preparing them for life, leadership, and love.
Why Choose To Learn With Us?
A Curriculum Built for the Future
Each quarter weaves a new theme through the program:
Synthesis & Rites of Passage
This is more than school. This is where youth discover who they are, what they love, and how to lead with courage, creativity, and compassion.
Q3: Global Citizenship
Cultural Awareness & Systems Thinking
Q2: Earth Guardianship
Science & Regenerative Design
Q1: Human Development
Social & Emotional Learning
- Regenerative Design & Stewardship
- Social Innovation & Community Building
- Migration & Global Citizenship
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Artificial Intelligence & Future Skills
- And more...
Q4: Transformation & Reflection
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Additional challenge tracks include:
A Learning Experience
Students collaborate to design and build a model eco-village, applying regenerative design, systems thinking, and democratic decision-making.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Year-Long Capstone: Design Your Village
Instead of memorizing textbooks, we engage students in an active learning framework. Instead of just grades, they are assessed based on meaningful competencies. Instead of preparing for “someday,” they start leading now.
Core academics (math, science, literature, arts, Spanish, social studies) are integrated into real-world projects. They build a portfolio that demonstrates their learning and experience.
academy + village + show
Project-Based, Interdisciplinary Learning
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Parents engage in growth workshops, and students contribute through service and events.
Family & Community Integration
Spots are limited. Begin your application today and give your teen the gift of a year that prepares them not just for college — but for life.
Mentorship & Inner Development
Students present their work to peers, families, and the broader community.
Community Showcases
A creative lab to launch ventures — from art installations and social enterprises to tech prototypes and community initiatives.
Incubator Studio
Enrollment Now Open for 2026
Weekly mentorship, rites of passage, and focus on skills like empathy, resilience, and collaborative leadership.
quick details
where
Youth ages 14–16
who
Life Project Education, Ojochal, Costa Rica
when
Feb – Dec 2026
costs
$965/month
5 days/week (M–Fri)
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.
Building a Better World Requires Innovative Education
Learn about life project
Life Project Founder
Alys Robinson
Program Manager
terra fleenor
Founder/Program Architect
Zamir dhanji
Together, they bring decades of expertise in education, transformation, sustainability, and community building. Click below for more info.
our framework
Zamir has over a decade of experience in sustainability education, youth mentorship and performing arts. He has guided global Rites of Passage programs through Canada, India and Peru. Trained by Dr. Gabor Maté, Zamir co-created Patterns to Presence, a program for healing attachment trauma.
Founder of the TRU Yoga School, he leads yoga teacher trainings at his home-base at the Awake Center in Costa Rica. The Gift Academy is his life project, fulfilling the need for a holistic educational paradigm that empowers people to serve the world with their gifts.
Zamir dhanji
Founder/Program Architect
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Terra is a holistic hybrid instructional designer, community organizer, relationship coach with over 20 years of event experience. She has worked with Envision Festival and organized countless transformational events focusing on fostering individual resilience and supporting the revival movement.
She’s co-creator of Holistic Life Tribe, a vibrant digital community where seekers come together to pursue personal growth, professional enhancement and holistic transformation.
Program Manager
terra fleenor
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Alys Jasmine Robinson is an educator, visionary leader, and founder of Life Project Education, a holistic learning community in Costa Rica dedicated to nurturing children and adolescents as Earth Guardians and conscious global citizens.
With over 25 years of combined research & experience in international teaching and educational innovation, Alys’s community-based model weaves together holistic pedagogy, experiential learning, and regenerative living practices into a unique blueprint for future-ready schools.
Life Project Founder
Alys Robinson
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Program Developers
meet the team
Yes! Core academics (math, science, literature, arts, Spanish, social studies) are integrated into real-world projects. They build a portfolio that demonstrates their learning and experience. Students engage in dynamic courses that translate to university-ready credits.
Yes lunch is included in the program cost.
Youth ages 14–16 seeking a meaningful, future-ready education
Any student that would be considered at 9th or 10th grade level (formal or home-schooled)
Families who value holistic growth, real-world skills, and community
Students ready to take initiative, explore their passions, and make a difference
Absolutely! All our buttons link to the contact form at Life Project Education. Tell us what you want to know or explore, and we will connect you with the right person.
The high school program is full-time. There are certain exceptions made depending on circumstance, please communicate this to admissions at Life Project.
We have submitted applications to two internationally recognized accrediting organizations:
👉 The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
👉 The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS)
For families that require immediate grade-level certification, we have a current accreditation partner through another US-based High School - more information is in the 2026 handbook available upon request.