A good school is more than walls and classrooms—it’s a living, breathing community that shapes lives. At its heart are five qualities that define excellence. 1. Good Leadership: Visionary, humble, and caring leaders inspire trust and nurture excellence. 2. Spirit of Family: A school should feel like home, where joy and challenges are shared and bonds grow strong. 3. Child-Centered Learning: Every decision prioritizes the well-being, curiosity, and growth of students. 4. Educating Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul: Holistic education develops intellect, empathy, character, and conscience. 5. Collaboration and Passion: Connections, partnerships, and dedication drive creativity, progress, and purpose. Ultimately, a school is remembered by the lives it touches, and its alumni carry forward its values, shaping the world.

Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees highlights how learning goes beyond classrooms, as seen in Kostas’s bond with a resilient fig tree. His journey shows the power of personal experiences, cultural traditions, and nature in shaping understanding. The story reminds educators to embrace diverse learning styles and reflection. This approach fosters inclusivity, deeper understanding, and helps students thrive in their own unique ways.

At Fazlani L’Académie Globale, we foster a strong, inclusive community where every voice matters. Our Studentpreneur and Teacherpreneur programs empower students and teachers to lead and innovate. Students solve real-world problems and support peer learning, while teachers share best practices. As a leader, I nurture a culture of creativity, agency, and continuous growth. These initiatives build confidence, resilience, and essential leadership skills.

Schools must look to the future and make changes even as current activities continue. This poses numerous challenges in four major domains, viz., facilities, curriculum, faculty, and pedagogy, in diminishing order of difficulty in implementing changes.

In today's world, a good school is more than just a place of instruction—it's a space where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to become their best selves. For me, a good school is defined by many "Good" things that come together to nurture well-rounded individuals. Read on to find out what I believe makes a school truly good...