Why OFS

Being from Bulgaria, both my parents saw a welcoming international community, an inspiring, unconventional way of learning, and a school that cares about what’s unique in each child.

I would also like to thank all of my teachers for helping me expand my boundaries for work, as I have been the most challenged I have ever been, which has helped me grow.

After spending 11 years here, I believe I have the right to say this is the place where I found my second home when the first was out of sorts.

From the moment I stepped into my new classroom, I was met with nothing but warm welcomes and smiles. 

I have learned to be patient with myself; I can try out things, see if they work for me, change my mind about how to do things, and try again.

Because of the focus on community, people get to know what is important to you, what you love, and where you can grow, and so they support and push you in all of these areas. 

The teachers here are incredibly encouraging and supportive of their students, and because of this, I have realized that I can do anything I want as long as I put myself out there and try.

Before coming to Oneness I was in an environment where we had to sit at desks and the teachers would come around criticizing our work. She would remark, “It’s too dark.” “It's too small and your spelling is wrong.” 

During my time at Oneness, I have learned how to be a successful student, the importance of connection, and to be willing to push myself out of my comfort zone. I have also learned that I am brave enough to speak up when needed.

I think the biggest lesson I took from Oneness-Family School is the importance of remaining grounded.

The global perspective that grounded everything I learned at Oneness was so important in instilling cultural and inclusive understandings in me that I still embrace today.

My best memories from Oneness are all the trips and travels where we enjoyed getting to learn outside the traditional educational setting. 

Even though it has been more than seven years since I attended Oneness, I have maintained a lifelong relationship with teachers and students.

One of my main main takeaways from Oneness was developing a true curiosity about life and love for discovery. 

My favorite aspect of OFS was the emphasis on mindfulness.

Oneness had an idea and sense of kindness and fairness which I have yet to experience again, and it was exactly what I missed the most at my new school.

My favorite memory of OFS is probably all of the different teachers I had over the years.

Thinking back to what I learned at Oneness, I can see how my experiences there shaped how I approach my work and relationships of all kinds.

Students at Oneness are taught that the world is much larger than it appears, but that we have the ability to love and create positive ripples in the lives of others.

At Oneness, I learned to believe in myself—that if something seems impossible, if you stay with it, you will eventually succeed.

Oneness taught me among a million other things, to love other people by default; to love our differences and individual contributions.

Learning about global, cultural, and religious connections to Mother Earth, as well as our current impact on the planet, has had a profound impact on me.

My time at Oneness taught me creativity, leadership, authenticity, community, and global thinking. 

One of the only reasons I am able to travel alone and find long lasting friendships and happiness in each of these places is because of the understanding of community I learnt from Oneness.