Launch our School for 400 Children in Rural India

FOREFRONT International School Education Project Report

December 9, 2018 (FY18 Q4)

FOREFRONT’s progress toward the completion of its project is divided into two axes: construction/architecture and education. Together, excellent implementation in these two areas will make FOREFRONT International School a high-quality educational opportunity for children in rural India who otherwise lack access.

Architecture

FOREFRONT’s architecture team and local construction contractor have designed a state-of-the-art school with facilities for classes and extracurricular activities for 400 students. The school is designed to support a healthy staff and student culture. Aside from strategically designed classrooms, the completed school will also have a playground, solar-powered water filtration, and an auditorium for school and community meetings and events.

The first stage of construction is underway and will be completed pending fundraising for the remaining amount. It will accommodate the first class of 80 students, four teachers, a principal, an administrator, and other support staff. The first floor of the school will include the computer lab, boys and girls restrooms and a teachers’ lounge. Between the first and second school year, FOREFRONT will complete the second floor to build the school to full capacity.

Education

As FOREFRONT fundraises for the completion of school construction, the education team has also created various programs to increase community engagement. We have created a kids’ club curriculum aligned to our four pillars for children at each of our water well openings. On October 21st, 2018, we launched the first kids’ club lessons at the water well opening in Kolluru, India. 32 children participated in our lesson, taught by our local partner, which included storytelling, acting, an art activity, and pumping clean water. A survey of the children showed that most were interested in learning more about the medical industry. Therefore, for FOREFRONT’s next water well opening near Kolluru in December 2018, we have created a lesson about how germs spread and handwashing.

In addition, FOREFRONT is partnering with US and local artists to create a mural for our school’s boundary wall. A beautiful school creates a welcoming environment that fosters our students’ creativity. Kolluru’s local community will be further invested in the school, if they help design and paint the school boundary wall with colorful murals that represent the core values of FOREFRONT International School. The children in the mural design here are based on local children in Kolluru who would be likely attending our school. The mural will be painted on the school boundary wall once construction resumes.

Previous to the current reporting period, FOREFRONT established a set of principles that would guide the curriculum, teaching and operations of the International School. FOREFRONT International School provides an excellent education to all students. Teachers and parents work together, creating a joyful and rigorous learning environment. Students will develop knowledge and skills in critical thinking, character, creativity, and wellness, so that they can become active change agents in their communities.

The cultural pillars for the success of our elementary school will be five-fold:

1. Student culture - FOREFRONT is developing a school curriculum where students are taught enduring values and are building a bank of socio-emotional strategies.
2. Student instruction - FOREFRONT will maintain high expectations to develop students into proficient readers, writers, and mathematicians; ensuring that all students have opportunities to approach their problems creatively and engage in critical thinking.
3. Staff development - FOREFRONT will provide structure for teachers to through professional development and regular observation and feedback.
4. Staff culture - FOREFRONT will ensure that staff members feel highly valued, excited about the mission and direction of the school, and feel like they see a pathway for professional development in their work.
5. Family engagement - School teachers and administrators will partner with families in order to best support our students at school and also at home.

• School Construction Report - FY18 Q4 (PDF)