Our approach
Education for Life: success in school, and in everything after it.
Since 1972, Education for Life schools in the U.S., Europe and India have taught a simple idea: a young person needs more than knowledge to thrive. They need maturity — and maturity can be taught.
Maturity
The goal of everything we do. Education for Life defines it as the ability to relate appropriately to realities other than one’s own — to understand other people, situations and points of view, not just your own.
True success
Not only a good job. The ability to meet life’s challenges with joy, wisdom and inner strength, and to build a life that is fulfilling for yourself and good for others.
Progressive development
One standard for everyone leaves most students overwhelmed or bored. Our teachers meet each student where they are and help them take their next real step.
Four tools of maturity, practiced every week
Every age uses all four. Middle schoolers are in their “feeling years,” so we emphasize kindness and cooperation; teenagers are building their will, so high school emphasizes goals, follow-through and self-mastery.
Body
Strong
At least five hours of movement a week — sports, martial arts, dance, climbing, running. Energy and focus come first.
Feeling
Compassionate
Daily practices for calm and self-awareness. Calm feeling supports clear thinking and deeper learning.
Will
Dynamic
Students set goals, keep a weekly time-block schedule with their advisor, and learn to follow through.
Intellect
Wise
A rich, connected curriculum that builds critical thinking and a wider view of the world.
A connected curriculum, not a stack of separate subjects
All the college-preparatory subjects you expect — taught so that students see how they connect, and how each one applies to their own life. Below are the high school graduation requirements.
| Area | Required | Courses | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Earth, Our Universe | 2 years | Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Physics | The sciences taught as one connected picture that inspires awe, not as separate facts. |
| Mathematics | 4 years | Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Advanced Math | Progressive development: each student takes their next real step forward. |
| Self-Expression & Communication | 4 years | Language arts, English, writing, public speaking, debate | Clear thinking and the confidence to share ideas. |
| Understanding People | 2 years | U.S. History, History of World Religions, World Geography | History as a source of life lessons; geography as ways of living. |
| World Languages | 2 years | Spanish, German, Chinese | Taught by teachers who live the language. |
| Wholeness | 4 years | Ethics, Non-Violent Communication, Raja Yoga, Superconscious Living | Ties every subject together and practices calm, focus and self-discovery. |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 2 years | Digital arts, painting and drawing, music | Creativity applied to all of life. |
| College Preparatory Elective | 1 year | History, science, language, arts or computer science | Deeper study in an area of strength. |
| Advising | 4 years | 1 hour every week | Credit for service, expertise, exercise, reading and finances. |
Team to confirm: UC A–G or NCAA course approval status, if any
Spiritual principles, not religion
We help students develop qualities that every tradition honors and anyone can practice, whatever their beliefs. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises are taught as tools: they help students calm their thoughts, focus, and understand themselves.
Our students and teachers come from many faiths and from none.
- Patience
- Compassion
- Humility
- Perseverance
- Calmness
- Balance
- Kindness
- Service
- Inner joy
Fifty years in the making
Education for Life was described by J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda) in his book Education for Life, building on the ideals of Paramhansa Yogananda. Nitai Deranja opened the first Education for Life school at Ananda Village, California, in 1972, and co-founded the first EFL high school in 1997. Today a network of schools in the U.S., Europe and India follows the approach.
Living Wisdom International brings that experience online, so a student anywhere in the world can learn this way. Read more at edforlife.org.
See if Living Wisdom is right for your child.
Start with a conversation. Tell us about your child, and our director will set up a video call with you both — and a chance to sit in on a live class.
