About 100

More than 20 at any given time.

Cambodian

30% local, 70% international

Our teachers are international, reflecting the diversity of our families and students. Their level of English is high.

Children are supported in learning English within the classroom.

Khmer, Japanese

It is at the teacher's discretion how many children are accepted into each class. Most classes are considered full at about 17 children.

17 children.

Yes. The preschool classes have 1 head teacher and 2 teaching assistants in each class. The kindergarten class has 1 head teacher and 1 teaching assistant. The primary classes have a Class Teacher and a teaching assistant is employed if the teacher feels they will be an asset to the class.

Our school believes in the freedom of children to learn to think and the power of play in experiencing and understanding their world. We provide open-ended materials and play so the children can create their own simple technologies (e.g. levers, ramps, wheels, etc.) in their play. In primary school classes we work with practical technologies - cooking, woodworking, sewing, etc. We do not use electronic technology for children under the age of 12 years, placing emphasis instead on imagination, social skills, and creative use of one's hands and natural and simple materials to create things to serve needs. This flexibility of thinking and creativity serves as the basis for later years, when use of technology is introduced as a tool for research, learning, and sharing information.

Our school's emphasis is to conduct lessons in-person whenever possible. Our parents and teachers are committed to working together to create safe environments in which the children can learn, including creative use of technology.

Our school places emphasis on a respectful understanding of all world religions, especially as represented in our diverse student body. As such, our curriculum brings stories and festivals from all faith traditions, including a visit to the local pagoda to celebrate the Cambodian festival of Pchum Ben, the story of the birth of Jesus at Christmas time, the story of Buddha in honor of Visak Bochea Day, etc. These stories are part of a rich curriculum which celebrates the seasons, natural world, and cultural practices experienced by the children in their daily lives.

If a family finds that their traditions are not reflected in the practices at our school, we are happy for them to speak to their Class Teacher to decide how their celebration can be brought to their class and potentially the whole school.

In the preschool and primary school, the children do not complete traditional examinations or assessments. The teachers are engaged with the children's work, understanding the developmental appropriateness of the work and structuring lessons to support their learning appropriately.

Ongoing assessment of the children is conducted by the teachers based on their performance in the classroom. If a teacher observes a child struggling in a particular area, careful consideration is given to how to present the information creatively in a way that will meet the needs of the child.

Homework is not assigned to children Class 3 and younger. For Class 4 and older, homework is given thoughtfully, with careful consideration for the healthy and creative experience of the child when completing the homework.

Homework is assigned thoughtfully and with consideration given to the age and developmental stage of the children completing the work.

At this time, 100% of students who leave our school go on to other international primary schools and high schools around the world.

Our Waldorf/Steiner curriculum is thoughtfully created to support the developmental needs of the children. We do find that we can accept children with a variety of needs into our classrooms and they can function fully.

Waldorf/Steiner teachers have a deep understanding of child development as part of their work and training as Waldorf teachers. The teachers consider and support each child in each lesson they create, ensuring each child accepted at the school is adequately supported.

Our school seeks to lay foundations in childhood for healthy social interactions as adults. Children who are exceptionally capable in some areas are invited to assist others, sharing their gifts and building compassionate understanding that we all have gifts to share, and they can be found in different places and ways for each of us.

Although our school does not have a Waldorf-inspired educational psychologist on staff in Cambodia, we are linked to Waldorf-school worldwide, with access to specialized support in the event a child is found to need it.

We ask to meet each child prior to accepting them into the school, to have a sense of their social skills, movement, creativity, play, self-discipline, etc. This assessment is completed gently by the teacher. For younger children this is a matter of simple observation; for older children it may involve observation and a simple conversation between the teacher and the student themselves. Also important in our consideration of accepting a family is the parent's interest in Waldorf/Steiner education, as our school sees ourself as in partnership with families; "creating the village to raise the child."

Children are invited to play on the playground, often with the possibility of interacting with other children enrolled at the school. Teachers are able to watch to gain a non-judgmental sense of the child's personality and developmental stage. In the case of primary-school aged children, the teacher will have a conversation with the parents and will also have a conversation with the child, to understand their interests, social skills, imagination, and level of English.

Yes. To join the waiting list please complete this form: https://forms.gle/SGULtUGs5t3Nfq4eA

Our school year begins in early August and finishes at the end of May. As an international school, we do have places come available year-round in the event a family leaves Cambodia and admissions is conducted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested families to join the wait list and we will be in touch when a spot opens.

Yes.

8:30 AM

2:30 PM (Primary, Kindergarten, full day Preschool); 12:00 PM (half day Preschool); 5:00 PM (extended day Twilight Garden)

Children may be dropped off at the school as early as 7:30 AM and help the teachers as they prepare the classrooms. We offer a "Twilight Garden" extended day program at additional cost, for children who prefer to remain in our lovely garden for the afternoon.

No.

All children eat the same food for snacks and lunch. Some portion of the food the children prepare themselves as part of their school day. The majority of food is provided by Healthy Kids Kitchen, a catering service run by one of our own teachers at the school. Meals are paid for by the parents in a direct relationship with Healthy Kids Kitchen.

Yes, if a child has special dietary needs they will be able to raise it to Healthy Kids Kitchen and arrange special meals.

No.

We encourage parents to spend time with their children, and to connect with each other to provide healthy movement opportunities for the children in local parks and green spaces.

Movement is integrated into all the lessons and play for the children, with more than two hours of movement creatively included in each school day. Small children in Class 2 and younger are encouraged to engage in free, creative movement as part of their active play. Children Class 3 onward have a structured movement class incorporated into their day, with games focused on healthy and collaborative movement and developmentally-appropriate rule-following.

At this time our school does not have a high school, to participate in intramural sports.

Our school is housed in two houses in the Tonle Bassac area of Phnom Penh. The spaces are famous for their lush tropical gardens, providing a beautiful and fun-filled experience of nature for the children. Emphasis is placed on experiencing and caring for this beautiful natural environment as a practical place for play, scientific experience, gardening, etc.

Our school has facilities appropriate to encouraging the diverse levels of developmental play encouraged by our curriculum, from climbing steps for small children, to climbing trees for larger ones.

Gecko Garden School exists to create an experience of life and education which values wonder, creativity, curiosity, respect, and ethical and environmentally sound practices equally with academics for our children and our families. We are: Waldorf/Steiner-inspired * Not-for-profit * International * English language * Established in 2001 * Family-involved * Home-like atmosphere * Strategic blend of international and empowered Khmer faculty, reflecting our diverse community.

Founded in 1919, Waldorf/Steiner education has spread worldwide in its more than 100 years, with more than 1,200 independent schools and thousands of preschools and kindergartens worldwide. The Waldorf/Steiner curriculum is deeply rooted in Rudolf Steiner’s theories of child development, with Waldorf teachers seeking to support each individual child at each stage of their childhood. Waldorf Schools, including Gecko Garden, are rooted deeply in a commitment to social renewal and transformation, envisioning and striving to create each day a world that is just and beautiful for our own and future generations.