Blog

Life As An Alzar School Student In Idaho And Chile

Alzar School | 21.02.13

Rising before the sun, students shimmy out of their yurts in Idaho or cabañas en Chile at different times for various duties (cook, outdoor, or dish) which rotate each week. When a student is on cook duty they wake up early to prepare banana pancakes, instant oatmeal, cereal and yogurt, or eggs for a 7:20 breakfast.

In her yurt, Roxy awakes with enthusiasm to another exciting and packed day at Alzar School

Isabelle & McKenna set out toasted bagels + toppings for breakfast — Isabelle & McKenna set out toasted bagels + various toppings for breakfast

Caroline and Sam wash group dishes in the Depot at the Idaho campus

The first class period begins at 7:50am and after the fifth period it’s lunch time. Students’ schedules vary day-to-day and some periods are not occupied with class, which gives them an opportunity to work on homework.

Brady studies alongside Chilean hotel during an independent study period. — Brady studies outside of the cabañas during an independent study period.

Isabelle, the only Chemistry student, witnesses gas laws and effects of temperature and pressure by crushing hot aluminum cans in cold water, and using heat to put a hardboiled egg inside a glass bottle. (taken at Depot on Idaho campus) — Isabelle, the only Chemistry student, crushes hot aluminum cans in cold water and uses heat to put a hard-boiled egg into a glass bottle. Both experiments demonstrate gas laws and the relationship of temperature and pressure. (taken at Depot on Idaho campus)

Teaching Fellows prepare lunch (sometimes hot, sometimes cold), dish crew cleans up group dishes, and an afternoon of 3 class periods finishes just before 4pm. Late afternoon activities consist of the following: Monday we gather for an all-school community meeting and on-campus fun, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays entail outdoor adventures (kayaking, hiking, exploring Chilean pueblos), Wednesdays students meet with their mentor (one of the 4 teachers) and have free time.

Students attend a special class on Chilean currency and learn how to use mental math to convert prices. Math Teacher Dan had the whole class laughing with his impeccable Spanish and his sense of humor. — Students attend a special class on Chilean currency and learn how to use mental math to convert prices. Math Teacher Dan had the whole class laughing with his impeccably creative Spanish and witty sense of humor.

At 6pm students spend 30 minutes completing chores, and then everyone gathers around a long table for a delicious (currently authentic Chilean) meal prepared by the neighboring restaurant. The days end with a 2-hour study hall until 9:30 and lights out by 10pm.

For chores, Dezaray sponges out water so her peers can wash the boat with a special spray that prevents an invasive algae from spreading from one river to another

Caroline hauling boats back and forth for cleaning

Lauren chopping wood in Idaho to keep her yurt warm

Harmony, Lauren, and Jan prepare a dinner for all on the Chilean whitewater expedition

Alzar School gathers for the nightly Chilean dinner in the hotel restaurant

Students wrap up nightly study hall in the cabañas

Hasta el próximo blog,

Marta Brummitt

Profesora Asistente