Who we are
OUR STORY
What began as a one-year experiment within the confines of an educational bubble has evolved into something truly extraordinary. At the outset, our vision was clear – provide an immersive, focused year of learning for a small group of students, with the intention of wrapping up after a year.
That remarkable year exceeded our expectations in every way. Students delved into a world of knowledge, creativity, and personal growth that ignited their passion for learning. As the months passed, it became evident that we had tapped into something truly special.
Recognizing the profound impact on our students, we took a leap of faith and decided to extend our journey beyond the initial plan. We expanded our community, welcoming a few more eager minds to join the adventure. With each new addition, our curriculum expanded, our community grew larger, and our shared experiences deepened.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to nurturing this spirit of discovery and empowerment. Our foundation is strong, our vision is clear, and our community is united. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for our students, our educators, and our entire educational family. The journey that started in a bubble has blossomed into something extraordinary – and the best is yet to come.
OUR MISSION
In Outside the Box we seek to humanize education by building meaningful relationships, guiding learning processes, supporting self-discovery, and encouraging connections to others through empathy, kindness and compassion.
OUR MISSION
In Outside the Box we seek to humanize education by building meaningful relationships, guiding learning processes, supporting self-discovery, and encouraging connections to others through empathy, kindness and compassion.
OUR VALUES
What characterize our community and that guide all interactions in Outside the Box are:
- Solidarity
- Kindness
- Care
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Respect
- Inclusion
OUR MISSION
In Outside the Box we seek to humanize education by building meaningful relationships, guiding learning processes, supporting self-discovery, and encouraging connections to others through empathy, kindness and compassion.
OUR COMMUNITY
The diversity of our school population enriches our environment and the learning experiences of each student. Currently, Outside the Box has a total of 26 students ranging from 4 to 12 years old. Our families come from different cultures and nationalities, including Israel, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, France, the United States, and various regions of Costa Rica.
OUR MISSION
In Outside the Box we seek to humanize education by building meaningful relationships, guiding learning processes, supporting self-discovery, and encouraging connections to others through empathy, kindness and compassion.
Our Founders
Outside the Box was born from the hearts of two passionate educators and their continuous search for fresh, vibrant, humanized learning environments as opposed to the obsolete practices of traditional schooling.
Shera Simpson
Co-creator and Creative Learning Lead
About Shera
Shera holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University and has worked as a dual language educator for over a decade, primarily in kindergarten and first grade. She believes in a transformational approach to education – one that tailors the learning experience to the distinct needs and passions of every child. Shera thinks that this dynamic paradigm shift from the traditional education system is not an option, but that it is imperative for students to thrive as 21st-century leaders. Shera is proud to work alongside the highly qualified, national and international professionals that embody this transformation in education, turning the vision of Outside the Box into a reality.
Francis Valverde
Co-creator and Student Growth Lead
About Francis
Francis is a passionate, costarican educator, graduate of Universidad de Costa Rica with a Bachelors in Special Education. Throughout her career she has worked in multiple environments and with different populations across diverse public and private schools in rural and urban settings of Costa Rica. Francis loves to merge pedagogy with sports, recreation, and artistic expressions. She strongly believes that education is the main vehicle to build a more harmonious and equitable society for everyone. Her main challenge as an educator is to facilitate enriched pedagogical environments that allow personal growth and healthy coexistence with those around us, starting from the acknowledgement and celebration of one’s own characteristics and differences.
Our Team
Eliseth López
Lead Bilingual Facilitator
Mónica Leiva
Lead Spanish Facilitator
Gabriel Valverde
Music and Creativity Facilitator
Irene Hernández
Operations
Our Home
Outside the Box Learning Lab is located in the heart of Brasilito, a coastal community in Guanacaste, on the northwestern Pacific golden coast of Costa Rica, offering a convenient location, close to Marina Flamingo, Reserva Conchal, Mar Vista, Conchal Beach, Playa Grande, Flamingo Beach, Potrero, Las Catalinas, and Tamarindo.
