Arkadia: A new chapter in education
A new learning space is taking root within our village, one that reimagines education as a journey of self-discovery, community connection, and deep respect for the natural world.
Welcome to Arkadia, The ARK’s self-directed education project, opening its doors to families ready to embrace a new paradigm of learning.
Where vision meets action
Arkadia was born from a shared dream of more holistic education between The ARK’s founder Marat Omarov and educational guides Esperanza Chacón and Edgar Espinosa. With decades of experience in self-directed learning, from their work at the renowned Fundación Pestalozzi in Ecuador to founding Casa Sulá (now Real World School) in Costa Rica, Esperanza and Edgar bring both wisdom and warmth to this new endeavor.
The vision is simple yet bold: create a space where children’s innate potential is honored, where curiosity leads the way, and where learning grows naturally from real-life experiences. In Arkadia, education is not about filling minds. It is about nurturing the whole child: body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Learning in connection
Arkadia’s philosophy is rooted in self-directed learning. This means children have the freedom to explore subjects and skills at their own pace, supported by conscious guides and a rich learning environment.
From creative workshops and collaborative projects to hands-on experiences in nature, every day at Arkadia is designed to
• Foster independence and emotional intelligence
• Encourage curiosity and problem-solving
• Build meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and the land
One of the community’s pillars, health through regenerative farming, is woven into daily life at Arkadia. Children participate in planting, tending, and harvesting at The ARK farm, not for the sake of output, but to experience the joy of process, patience, and care for the Earth.
A Community effort
Arkadia is a collective creation. Families are deeply involved, from project coordination to daily support, ensuring the space grows in harmony with the needs of its learners. The name Arkadia itself evokes an ideal of serenity, beauty, and coexistence with nature, a guiding light for everything we do.
The interest in Arkadia has already reached far beyond Santa Teresa. Families from across the region are joining the conversation, drawn by the promise of a learning space that aligns with their values and honors their children’s individuality.
Inside The ARK
The ARK is a regenerative village for the new era, that blends hospitality, wellness, real estate, and education. Nestled between jungle and ocean, it offers a vibrant environment for living well in connection with nature and each other. Arkadia is its educational heart, a space where the next generation can grow in alignment with the principles of cooperation, regeneration, and respect for all life.
As the project takes shape, Arkadia is already pulsing with life through open days, workshops, volunteer collaborations, and seasonal programs that bring together children, families, and community members in a shared love for learning.
The future of learning is here
Arkadia invites us to imagine a future where education is not confined to classrooms but expands into gardens, kitchens, forests, and community spaces.
A future where children are trusted as capable beings and learning is guided not by rigid systems or academic results, but by curiosity, connection, and care.
Arkadia is just beginning its journey and we cannot wait to see how it grows.