Rainbow Institute

RI is an arm of Rainbow Community School that seeks to inspire a holistic education movement through transformative learning experiences, resources and research. The work of RI is inspired by the holistic educational model known as the Rainbow Seven Domains approach. RI strives to help individuals, educators and institutions nurture the spiritual identities of all community members by inviting the sacred into the school experience. Each RI blog post will offer reflections on various spiritual domain happenings at RCS and will share transferrable and adaptable lessons and resources. We hope that these posts will serve as a resource for you and your organization.

                                                                                                                                         ~ West Willmore,

Co-Founder of Rainbow Institute

Be the Change

Be the Change

In 2012 Rainbow Community School (RCS) was selected as an Ashoka Changemaker School, a network of schools that empower students as changemakers by prioritizing empathy, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving as student outcomes. They recognize the capacities of...

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Points of Connection

Points of Connection

Connection and community at Rainbow is often nurtured through rituals, traditions or celebrations that mark the passage of time. We begin the school year with an opening ceremony during which the entire school comes together to offer blessings and intentions for the...

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Mind In A Jar

Mind In A Jar

The integrated RCS curriculum fosters learning in a holistic way. This approach is void of the restrictions often imposed by teaching discreet subjects. Purposeful integration acknowledges, builds on and reinforces the existing relationships between subject...

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The Philosopher’s Box

The Philosopher’s Box

Rainbow Community School had a special guest this week! Best-selling author and Ph.D., Lisa Miller, toured our school. Lisa authored The Spiritual Child and is also the head of clinical psychology at Columbia University Teachers College. She has conducted and compiled...

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Only Love Can Do That

Only Love Can Do That

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. –Martin Luther King Jr.   Rainbow Community School is governed by light and founded on love. Connection to oneself, others, the natural world and the...

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Turning Routine into Ritual

Turning Routine into Ritual

Fall is here and fall break has likely come and gone for many of us. This season often brings a lot of transition for our students. These transitions are embedded in the rhythms of the natural world, the energy around celebrations and holidays, and within...

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The Three Questions

The Three Questions

Daily centering practice is a part of every Rainbow classroom. These practices, although all anchored in the Rainbow Spiritual Domain Learning Outcomes, take on many shapes and forms and evolve based on the learning needs of the children and the passions of the...

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Gratitude Jars

Gratitude Jars

The beginning of an RCS school year serves as a rite of passage for every student and their classroom community. This time is symbolic of rebirth, renewal, a new beginning- a fresh start. RCS teachers begin by creating a sacred and safe foundation in which the...

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Return with Elixir

Return with Elixir

Summer is a breeding ground for travel, adventure, and memory making. Its long days, breaks from school and work, flexible schedules also yield down time, rest, and a chance to turn inward and reflect. Having said this, I share with you an inspiring centering activity...

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