Bengaluru · September 2026 · 7 Days · Celebrating our 6th Year

A Learning
Journey to
Alternative
Schools

Step into classrooms where the child leads the way

6thYear
6Schools
7Days
20+Educators
5Philosophies

Visiting different schools and witnessing diverse pedagogies in their real, everyday setups brought learning philosophies to life in a way no book or course ever can. I witnessed education in its most living form.

— Swati Ranka, Past Participant

Early Bird offer ends 9th August 2026 — Residential from ₹32,000 · Non-residential from ₹19,000 · Limited seats only

Register now →

Are these questions alive in you?

What does it take to make children self-motivated and take responsibility for their own learning?

How can alternative teaching methods truly foster critical thinking and creativity?

How do we cater to different learning styles and abilities within the same space?

How do we put children with special needs on a path toward independence?

What is this journey?

A journey to understand, witness & reimagine education

Seven immersive days across six remarkable schools in Bengaluru — each built on a distinct philosophy, each asking a different question about what learning can be. You won't study these approaches from a distance. You'll walk their corridors, talk to their founders, watch their children, and carry the questions home.

Explore Democratic, Krishnamurti, Reggio Emilia, Open Learning, and Project-Based approaches — in real classrooms, not case studies

Interact with the founders and educators who made these spaces — understand the intention behind the practice

Reflect with a community of fellow travellers — educators, parents, changemakers, and seekers

Leave with practical ideas and fresh perspective to reimagine your own learning space

"To witness real learning, step into classrooms where the child leads the way."

Education Diaries is a learning collective that works with educators, schools, and organisations to reimagine education in India. Now in our 6th year, we have been designing immersive journeys that bridge philosophy and practice — rooted in the belief that learning should be relational, relevant, and reflective.


Six schools, six ways of seeing a child

Each school embodies a living philosophy — visited across the 7 days of the journey

01

The Valley School

Founded 1978 · Krishnamurti Foundation

Krishnamurti Philosophy

Nestled in 100 acres of forest on the outskirts of Bengaluru, The Valley School is where learning is led by curiosity, not curriculum. Founded by J. Krishnamurti, it's a space where children grow through dialogue, play, and reflection — valuing freedom with responsibility over competition and conformity.

thevalleyschool.info ↗
02

Tapas Progressive School

Founded 2021 · Bengaluru

Project-Based Learning

At Tapas, children don't just study — they live their learning. Blending Cambridge IGCSE with Indian values and real-world exploration, classrooms here spill into gardens, kitchens, and studios. Student voice and curiosity are at the centre of everything.

tapaseducation.com ↗
03

Aarohi Life Education

Founded 2008 · GenieKids Initiative

Open Learning Space

No fixed timetable. No prescribed curriculum. No uniform or mandatory subjects. A self-directed learning community where children and adults co-create their journeys — rooted in freedom, responsibility, and real-life experience. Learning here is lived with joy, freedom, and ownership.

aarohilife.org ↗
04

BeMe School

Founded 2015 · Bengaluru

Democratic Education

At BeMe, children don't just attend school — they co-create it. Inspired by democratic education models, it's a space built on freedom, trust, and real-world learning through projects and play. Children shape their own educational journeys with genuine agency.

beme.org.in ↗
05

The Atelier

Founded 2013 · Bengaluru

Reggio Emilia

A Reggio Emilia–inspired learning space where children are seen as capable, curious, and creative. Open studios, natural materials, and collaborative spaces encourage exploration and expression. Learning emerges through play, dialogue, and deep observation. Childhood honoured as a time for wonder.

the-atelier.org ↗
06

Sparkling Mindz

Founded 2010 · Bengaluru

Purposeful Learning

Game-based learning meets real-world problem-solving. With Reggio-inspired environments and a strong SEL focus, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking take centre stage here. Every child's spark is celebrated and every question is welcomed.

sparklingmindz.in ↗

Day-by-Day Schedule

7 days, 6 schools

Sept 6 · Day 1

Orientation & Arrival

Gather the group, set intentions, and prepare to encounter learning beyond convention.

Sept 7 · Day 2

The Valley School

Krishnamurti

100 acres of forest on the outskirts of Bengaluru — where curiosity, not curriculum, leads the day.

Sept 8 · Day 3

Tapas Progressive School

Project-Based

Classrooms spill into gardens, kitchens, and studios — learning is purposeful and joyful.

Sept 9 · Day 4

Sparkling Mindz

Purposeful Learning

Game-based, creativity-centred learning where every question is welcomed and every spark celebrated.

Sept 10 · Day 5

Aarohi Life Education

Open Learning

No timetable, no uniform, no prescribed curriculum — a self-directed community where children lead their own learning.

Sept 11 · Day 6

BeMe + The Atelier

Democratic · Reggio

Two schools in one day — democratic self-direction meets Reggio Emilia's environment-as-teacher.

Sept 12 · Day 7

Closing Circles

Reflect, share, and carry your insights forward — building a community that extends beyond the journey.

What you'll carry home

Shifts in how you see and do

Foundations & Philosophy

  • Explore Krishnamurti, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori and Democratic education in real-life settings
  • Understand how children learn beyond conventional schooling
  • Reflect on the role of parents and teachers in meaningful education
  • Engage in honest dialogue on the possibilities and challenges of alternative approaches

Practice & Pedagogy

  • Visit child-centric schools with inclusive, purpose-driven environments
  • Learn strategies to support diverse learners, including those with special needs
  • Discover practical ideas to personalise learning in your own context
  • Observe classrooms where children learn with joy, curiosity, and purpose

People & Community

  • Connect with fellow travellers — educators, parents, facilitators and seekers
  • Build a network of support and inspiration beyond the journey
  • Reflect and share insights with a community of like-minded learners
  • Leave with fresh perspectives to reimagine your own learning space

Who is this for?

A space for educators, seekers, and changemakers

Educators reimagining learning School founders and leaders Parents seeking holistic growth Curriculum designers NGO and ed-tech professionals Facilitators Unschooling explorers Lifelong learners Students on alternative pathways Anyone building or questioning education

If you're building, questioning, or ready to transform learning — you're welcome here.

This is not a conference. It's an immersive, lived experience — seven days of deep observation, honest conversation, and real reflection alongside people who care about what learning can be.

Reserve your place →

From past participants

Real stories, real shifts

Visiting different schools and witnessing diverse pedagogies in their real, everyday setups brought learning philosophies to life in a way no book or course ever can. Meeting founders, teachers, students, and parents allowed me to understand the 'why' behind each approach — the intention and the real impact on the ground.

— Swati Ranka

I visited five very different schools — experiencing how they look at education beyond pen, paper, books, and the four walls of a classroom. With so many people full of hope and creativity, I witnessed education in its most living form. These schools challenged many of my own assumptions about what is "necessary" for learning.

— Past Participant, Bengaluru Journey

At Aarohi, I stopped looking for a structure to understand and found something beyond conventional imagination — children learning what they truly want to learn, with no forced knowledge. A poem is not studied for "what the poet meant" but enjoyed, felt, and interpreted in their own way.

— Past Participant, on Aarohi

This yatra deeply shifted my understanding of education — it's about observing and living in tune with nature. I now judge less, flow more with life, and reflect deeply on ideas like restorative justice. I carry the experience as a reminder that true change comes from living our values.

— Binal

Throughout my life I've followed my heart, often going against convention — but this yatra showed me that deep structural change in society is truly possible, not just an idealistic dream. It strengthened my conviction to live and share my ideas with compassion.

— Radhika

Financial Contribution

Join the journey — limited seats available

We keep this journey intentionally small to ensure a deep, quality experience for every participant. Seats are limited — we encourage you to register early.

Early Bird

Book before 9th August 2026 and save on your contribution

Register now →

Non-Residential · Early Bird

₹19,000

Register before 9th August 2026

All 6 school visits
Facilitated sessions
Learning materials
Orientation & closing circles

Non-Residential · Regular

₹21,000

After 9th August 2026

All 6 school visits
Facilitated sessions
Learning materials
Orientation & closing circles

Residential · Regular

₹38,000

After 9th August 2026

All 6 school visits
Facilitated sessions
Learning materials
Shared accommodation
Group transport
Breakfast & lunch
👥

Coming with a colleague or group?

We offer a special concession when more than one person joins from the same organisation or group. Connect with us to avail this.

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Get in touch

Ready to step into a different kind of school?

Reach out to Arti Bhandari and the Education Diaries team for more information, registration, or any questions about the journey.

Bengaluru Learning Journey

6th – 12th September 2026

6 schools · 7 days · 20+ educators

Seats are limited to ensure a deep, intimate experience for every participant.

Register now →

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