Haiti EcoVillage School

First Day of School in the EcoVillages 

“They arrive with a smile on their faces reminiscent of the dry land welcoming the refreshing rain.”

What kind of school is this?

This is the kind of school children run towards each morning! Without the EcoVillage School, these children would have no school.

In Haiti this is called a Fundamental School. The 10 classrooms provide learning space for students in preschool through 9th grade. Classes are taught in Kreyol (Creole), the language of the children, and they learn French which is the official language of government and commerce. 

When did it open? The EcoVillage School opened the first 3 classrooms in September 2014.  New classrooms and grades were added each year until construction was completed. 

How many children attend? Enrollment includes more than 400 students. 

Does it provide a quality education? All teachers hold national certification from the Haitian Ministry of Education and follow the curriculum established by the Ministry. Our first graduating class was in 2021.

Is the school accredited?  The Ministry of Education certified the school in 2018. Since then, students proudly wear the blue uniform reserved for “National Schools” communicating to all that these children are receiving a quality education. 

Is the school financially self-sufficient?  Accreditation by the Ministry of Education obligates the national government to fund the school.  In theory, this ensures the financial self-sufficiency of the school. However, today’s reality is that the national government is not functional. It has no funds to allocate, leaving schools without government support. Many schools have closed.

Who funds the school? Until the government gets back on its feet, the Atlanta EcoVillage School, supported by MPP, its Haitian partner, keeps the school open through annual fundraising. 

Can the local community support its own school?  Parents are asked to pay 500 gourdes per child—$3.85 USD. Parents also provide uniforms and shoes.

What good is national accreditation? Although accreditation has not led to financial self-sufficiency, it has opened the door to food donations from the U.N. and support from other NGOs.