While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. - Angela Schwindt


Children at Poorna are considered active partners in the learning process and are expected to whole-heartedly work towards their own development, seeking guidance wherever necessary. They are also expected to cooperate and share with each other and the adults.

Children are encouraged and welcome to participate in school meetings and decisions. Every year for instance, the entire school gathers to cast a vote on the theme which will be used to name the following years classes. In 2007-8, all classes were named after "Rivers" (for example, Congo, Colorado, Nile, Zambezi, Narmada e.t.c). In 2009-2010, the children and teachers have voted on the theme "Mythical Creatures", so each class will be named after a different mythical creature. This is the second time this theme has been chosen in the history of Poorna, a real favorite. This year 2011-12, the children have chosen the "Constellations", for their class names.

At the end of each year, children and teachers meet to discuss what they liked and disliked during the school year.

Practicing Democracy