Barefoot Hearts

About this program

Barefoot Hearts is a democratic educational community set in a forest near Valencia, Spain, inspired by educational pioneers like Summerhill, Montessori, and Forest Schools. The school combines multiple progressive methodologies into a holistic approach emphasizing curiosity, compassion, and creativity. The tagline says it all: "Learning that Leaves a Footprint, without Shoes." Children here are explorers, inventors, caretakers, and occasional goat whisperers. The school operates as a student-run democracy where children debate decisions from lunch menus to budgeting the animal sanctuary funds. The school includes an animal sanctuary, permaculture gardens, and a coworking space where parents can work while their children learn just outside the window—creating a true family-centered educational community.