This question sits at the foundation of our goal as an educational institution. To begin to answer it, we must define the term Holism.

Holism is the understanding that life is an interaction of wholes, rather than a collection of individual parts.  These whole systems interact in synergy- what affects one system will not only affect the other integrated systems but will also affect the whole.

Holistic principles can be found in health care, psychology, anthropology, ecology, economics, and other disciplines. Holistic Healthcare illustrates this concept well. For example, when evaluating a patient, a holistic doctor will take an integrative approach and consider all parts of the human “system,”  including diet, exercise, lifestyle, and stress.

Holistic Education follows this same premise, subscribing to the philosophy that the learning experience is a comprehensive integration not only of traditional academic subjects, but of the many facets that comprise a human being. The reductionist view that humans are simply a mind/body construct- a machine with parts that can be modified in isolation- does not fulfill the learner’s true potential.

Indeed, humans are far more intricate, subtle and mysterious beings. We are multi-faceted creatures with a range of complex emotions, deep connections to the natural world, seekers of the mystery, with an innate need to create, to share, to understand & to be understood. It is the Holistic view that recognizes this concept and the Holistic Education model that seeks its implementation- for the  enrichment of the “whole” learner.

Yet, before we can truly nurture the “whole” learner, we must define those individual facets, much in the way that a prism defines white light into seven bands of color. At Rainbow Community School (RCS), the  student is viewed Holistically through Seven Domains: spiritual, mental, social, emotional, creative, natural, and physical.

The purpose of this education model is to develop the whole learner into a healthy, intelligent, compassionate, creative, and productive human who is capable of leading an empowered and enriched life.

The Rainbow Seven Domains™ is an all-inclusive approach that nurtures the highest growth potential of each child that attends RCS. These domains underlay all teaching and the curriculum.

We use robust tools and strategies for effective instructional integration of this holistic approach. Some of the ways the Rainbow Seven Domains™ are incorporated into our education model are described below.

RCS teachers strive to develop holistically and set personal and professional goals that are holistic in nature. In an effort to support the growth and development of holistic teachers, mentor teachers and administrators observe and evaluate teachers using a Seven Domains Goals Setting and Observation Form.

As students become aware of the Rainbow Seven Domains™ and their place within the RCS educational model, they begin to reflect on their own learning styles.

These self-reflections vary in complexity across grades but all indicate the Domains with which the student most resonates and the Domains by which they may be most challenged. They are shared at Student Led Conferences.

Although we seek to foster a well-rounded individual, many people are naturally inclined towards one or two particular Domains, witnessing and engaging the world through their own unique lens.

The concept of the Domains is versatile and can be used not only for educational purposes, but as understandings of personality archetypes, much akin to Jungian archetypes or Rudolph Steiner’s 4 temperaments.

Each Domain persona perceives and communicates uniquely. Each persona is also presented with innate challenges.

In understanding and respecting these differences, we can gain greater empathy towards others, form a stronger community and manage healthier dialogues. We can, as well, better understand and address the needs of our students.