Goals
"In this world, humans only learn either by necessity or conviction."
- Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
What are the goals of the School of Tomorrow?
Personal.
The overall goal on a personal level is that each child "learns to learn". Personal responsibility and self-efficacy lay the foundation for this. Adaptability and empathy further support this goal, allowing the adults-to-be a smooth integration into society and the pursuit of their own goals and dreams.
Mindset plays a decisive role in ensuring that these goals are maintained well beyond the young age. SOT promotes the development of one's own personality and strengthens the so-called "growth mindset". Happiness and fulfillment have different origins for each of us. But our personality and the right mindset provide the basis, regardless of where our path may lead.
Economical.
Whether we like it or not, the economy is a cornerstone of our current lives. Without it, we could not maintain the standard of living, security, and well-being that comes with it. But this is about so much more than money, income or finances, though these do play an important role. With the right economical means, we can create an incredible amount of good - but can also do a lot of harm.
For this reason, it is a high priority for our students at SOT to understand the machinery of the economy - not only in theory but directly applied in practice. Just as important, is the acquisition of ethical know-how and learning how to weigh financial aspects against moral issues.
Social.
We are social beings. Alone we can achieve relatively little, especially in this technologically advanced and modern world. Fortunately, our lives are no longer characterized by a mere struggle for survival - we do not have to worry about food, aggressors or deadly diseases, as our ancestors often did. For this and many other reasons, the social component has become more and more important.
We do not want to live a life of survival... rather we want to contribute, support and innovate. To do this, a child must be able to break free from old patterns and create new ones - for himself, for society, for the environment. Let's foster and promote social solidarity, collaboration, generosity and co-creation.
Cultural.
Culture is the overarching character of a whole society. As individuals we are part of this culture; we contribute, influence, change and develop it, often without realizing. Yet, we are only a small piece of the puzzle. Being open across cultures is essential in today's world. Understanding is the basis for respect and tolerance. The more educated we are, the broader our horizons can become.
SOT promotes awareness and understanding of our own culture, as well as cultures from around the world. But when we speak of culture, we do not mean merely knowledge or education. Rather, it is the development of an awareness that enables and encourages lifelong learning, and thus promotes interaction and synergy - bridging geography, language and disciplines.