Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Sholai School Teaches Sustainable Living Without Ranks
Sholai School is a special place in Kodaikanal, India, where kids learn in a unique way.
Instead of crowded classrooms and exams, they grow food, make electricity, and turn plastic into diesel.
The school was started by a teacher named Brian Jenkins who wanted education to be more about living and learning than just getting good grades.
There are only 60 students, so everyone gets personal attention.
The school believes in learning from nature and real-life experiences rather than just books.
Kids here learn to be resilient, kind, and good team players.
The goal is to help them become people who can make the world a better place.
Sholai School in Kodaikanal focuses on sustainable living and hands-on learning.
Founded by Brian Jenkins in 1989 after a 7,000-kilometre journey through Asia.
Only 60 students are admitted to ensure a close-knit, non-competitive environment.
Learning happens through farming, sustainability projects, and outdoor activities.
The school emphasizes resilience, empathy, and self-belief over academic rankings.
- Who
- Sholai School, founded by Brian Jenkins
- What
- A school teaching sustainable living and hands-on learning without rankings
- When
- Founded in 1989
- Where
- Kodaikanal, India
- Why
- To provide an alternative to conventional education focused on purpose and possibility
- Location
- Kodaikanal, India
- Founder
- Brian Jenkins
- Year Founded
- 1989
- Campus Size
- 70 acres
- Student Capacity
- 60 children
- Key Focus
- Sustainability, hands-on learning, no rankings