There are some places that don’t just teach you—they change you. For me, Sunrise School was one of those places.

From the moment I walked in, something shifted. It wasn’t just the trees wrapping around the school like quiet guardians or the sunlit classrooms that felt more like artist studios than traditional halls. It was a feeling—like I had stepped into a forest of knowledge, where learning wasn’t just about books and tests, but about becoming.

A place where learning feels like discovery

At Sunrise, we weren’t rushed through the usual checklists. We were guided—with patience and purpose. Whether we were studying Algebra or writing poems about the rain, it felt like our voices actually mattered.

In Art class, for example, we’d study how the sunlight filters through the branches and learn how to draw it—not just with technique, but with emotion. We didn’t just learn facts. We learned how to learn, how to notice the world more deeply.

A school where you are always seen

Because the school is small, no one gets lost. You’re not just a student ID number. You’re you—fully noticed, fully welcomed.

There were days I wanted to disappear, like we all do sometimes. And weirdly, Sunrise made space for that too. You could sit under a tree, listen to the wind, and take a break from the world. But even then, someone always noticed—gently, kindly. Just enough to remind you that you’re not alone.

Family, not just classmates

Every school talks about school spirit. But Sunrise felt more like a family. There was laughter during lunch breaks, shared snacks, inside jokes from last year’s drama play. There was always someone to talk to—about heartbreak, about the weather, about the weird dream you had last night.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so accepted in a place.

Where languages—and hearts—open naturally

One of the most beautiful things about Sunrise is its diversity. Kids from all over the world come here, speaking all sorts of languages. And yet, somehow, everyone finds a way to connect.

I watched kids arrive without a word of English, eyes wide and nervous. Within weeks, they were joking with classmates, answering questions in class, and writing essays that made us all tear up. There’s always someone willing to help—sometimes it’s a teacher, sometimes it’s another kid who understands exactly what it feels like to be new.

More than education—it’s transformation

If I had to describe what Sunrise gave me, I’d say this: it helped me grow into myself.

I left with more than just good grades or school memories. I left with self-confidence. With patience. With a kind of calm I hadn’t had before. I left knowing that it’s okay to be soft, to be different, to need support—and to give it back.

Sunrise School didn’t just teach me math or literature. It reminded me that education should come with love.

And I think that’s why it stays with me—even now.