Winta's Place · School ProgramTHRIVE — Holistic Alternative Education
Our mainstream school program (8am–3:30pm) for children who don't fit the standard mould.
A well-rounded, holistic education where your child is known — not managed, ranked or rushed.
A holistic, alternative education for children and teens aged 6–18 who are bright, curious and capable, but who don't thrive in big, pressured mainstream classrooms. THRIVE keeps real academics at its heart, then surrounds them with life skills, emotional wellbeing, movement, nature, creativity and passion projects — in classes of no more than eight, with two teachers who actually know your child.
THRIVE is the alternative school program at Winta's Place in Ubud, Bali — a holistic education for mainstream children and teens who simply learn better in a smaller, calmer, more human environment. There is no mainstream pressure, no anonymous class of thirty, and no one-size curriculum. Instead there is a well-rounded, whole-child education: strong academics, genuine individual attention, and daily time for wellbeing, creativity, movement and the things your child actually loves.
Everything that makes THRIVE — Holistic Alternative Education what it is.
Small classes · 2 teachers · max 8 per classroom
Real individual attention every day. Teachers notice when something isn't landing, and adjust — because they can actually see each child.
Strong, trackable academics
An internationally recognised curriculum with parent, teacher and student logins, so progress stays transparent and portable if a family moves on.
Whole-child education
Academics, life skills, emotional literacy, health, movement, culture, creativity and character — all treated as core learning, not extras.
Wellbeing without the pressure
No ranking, no shaming, no exam-factory culture. Confidence, curiosity and a settled nervous system come first — the results follow.
Passion projects & genius time
Three days a week children lead their own inquiry into what lights them up, with curriculum woven through the work they choose.
Art, music & drama weekly
Dedicated creative days each week, building towards the school play, art shows and end-of-year presentations.
Life skills & real independence
Cooking, gardening, tidying, money, planning and community safety practised daily as part of ordinary school life.
Movement, nature & mindfulness daily
Yoga, brain-gym, walks, breathwork and meditation are non-negotiable parts of every school day.
AI-supported, personalised practice
Technology used thoughtfully so each child works at the right level — stretched where they're strong, supported where they're not.
Parent–teacher app
Daily updates, goals, celebrations and communication in one place, so you always know how the week is really going.
Real-world Bali learning
Markets, farms, temples, waterfalls and community outings turn Ubud into an extended classroom.
A calm, kind culture
Mixed-age friendships, restorative conversations and a small community where children feel safe enough to be themselves.
A typical THRIVE day
- 7:00–8:30Breakfast Club (optional)Cooking, tidying, morning routine and settling in. Strictly device-free. Optional extra for families who need an early drop-off.
- 8:30–9:30Move · Meditate · MotivateThe 20/20/20 morning: sharing circle and positive input, meditation or yoga with a trainer, and a nature walk or brain-gym block.
- 9:45–12:00Foundation time (core academics)Maths, English, science, history, geography, reading and writing — taught in short focused blocks at each child's level, with two teachers in the room.
- 12:00–1:00Lunch & downtimeShared, healthy meals with the group.
- 1:00–2:30Passion projects · Art · Music/DramaThree days of self-led passion projects; one art day; one music/drama day building towards the school production.
- 2:30–3:15Group time & character workCommunication, friendship, emotional literacy, gratitude and self-advocacy — practised together, not lectured.
- 3:15–3:30Pack up & home timeOr continue into Wild & Free after-school care until 6:30pm (optional extra).
Every Friday is Friday Fun Day — a community outing plus a sharing and celebration of the week, with parent connection and, for older students, work-experience opportunities.
The full 7-day week
Predictable rhythm across every day — school Monday to Friday, with optional weekend and respite support.
Time | Mon Monday | Tue Tuesday | Wed Wednesday | Thu Thursday | Fri Friday | Sat Saturday | Sun Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7:00 – 8:30 Breakfast Club Optional extra | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | — | — |
8:30 – 9:30 Move · Meditate · Motivate | 20/20/20 · yoga · brain gym | 20/20/20 · nature walk | 20/20/20 · fitness with trainer | 20/20/20 · meditation & sharing | 20/20/20 · gratitude circle | Weekend Club opens — slow start, breakfast together | Rest & respite day — quiet mornings |
9:45 – 12:00 Foundation Time (core academics) | Maths · English · reading | Science · writing | Maths · English · reading | History · geography | Review · reading · project prep | Light activities · friendships · outings | Just be — hanging together or solo time |
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Community lunch | Shared meal at the villa | Shared meal at the villa |
1:00 – 2:30 Passion Projects / Arts | Passion projects / genius time | Art | Passion projects / genius time | Music & drama | Friday Fun Day — community outing | Light outing · waterfall · beach · farm | Free play · reading · downtime |
2:30 – 3:15 Group Time — social & emotional | Communication · regulation | 1:1 specialist rotations | Communication · regulation | 1:1 specialist rotations | Sharing & celebration of the week | Friendship time | Rest continues |
3:15 – 3:30 Pack up & Home | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Parent connection & community gathering | — | — |
3:30 – 6:30 After School — Wild & Free Optional extra | Nature · farm · therapy sessions | Bikes · cooking · therapy sessions | Waterfalls · art · therapy sessions | Farm · mindful time · therapy sessions | Wild & free · early dinner by 6pm | Continues — outings & 1:1 time | Gentle activities · early dinner |
Evening / overnight Respite & live-in Optional extra | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight stays — familiar staff | Overnight stays — familiar staff |
Is this the right fit for your family?
We're honest about who each program serves best. If you're not sure, a WhatsApp conversation is the fastest way to find out.
- Mainstream children and teens aged 6–18 who don't fit the standard school mould
- Bright, sensitive or creative learners who go quiet, bored or anxious in a class of thirty
- Families who want a holistic, well-rounded education rather than an exam factory
- Children who need more personalised learning support and genuine individual attention
- Expat and local families in Ubud, Canggu and greater Bali looking for an alternative school
THRIVE vs RISE — which one fits?
THRIVE is our mainstream, holistic alternative school: small classes, personalised support and a whole-child education. Children who need a specialist special-needs setting — individual learning plans, therapy integration and higher support — belong in RISE, our specialist program. Not sure which fits? We'll work it out with you during admissions.
Common questions about THRIVE — Holistic Alternative Education.
Is THRIVE a special needs program?+
No. THRIVE is our mainstream holistic alternative school for children who simply learn better in a smaller, calmer environment. Our specialist special-needs program is RISE.
What ages does THRIVE accept?+
6 to 18, in small classes of no more than eight students per classroom with two teachers.
Do you follow a recognised curriculum?+
Yes — an internationally recognised online curriculum is the academic backbone, wrapped in a holistic, whole-child program. Parents, teachers and students all have logins so progress is transparent and portable.
How is this different from mainstream school?+
Classes of up to eight instead of thirty. Two teachers per class. Life skills, wellbeing, creativity, movement and nature are core parts of the week, not extras. And no child is anonymous.
Ready to talk about Thrive — Alternative Learning?
A WhatsApp message is the simplest first step. We reply personally, usually the same day.