About
Meet the Visionary Founders of Worldschool Mexico
Ashley & Oskar: Where Passion Meets Purpose
Sometimes the universe conspires to remind us why we’ve gathered every experience along our journey. For Ashley and Oskar, that moment arrived when two unexpected catalysts within a single week illuminated their joint calling: transforming their beloved Villa Pajaritos, a ecological haven in San Miguel de Allende, into something far greater than they had ever imagined—a vibrant worldschooling hub where Mexican culture and global learning dance together in perfect harmony.
What started as an ecological project that is also home to Trino Restaurante, quickly blossomed into an educational sanctuary where families from around the world could experience authentic Mexican culture while nurturing their children’s natural love of learning. Living on purpose, they discovered, is deeply rewarding—and sometimes it requires taking a leap of faith with a newborn on your lap during planning meetings and launching an entire educational movement with just two weeks’ notice.
Oskar’s journey reads like a renaissance tale of creativity meeting community service. His architectural mind, which once helped design an entire Waldorf campus alongside fellow visionaries in San Miguel de Allende, naturally understood how physical spaces could nurture young souls. Years of university teaching and conference speaking had shown him the power of sharing knowledge, while his artistic sensibilities and design work with prestigious Mexican brands revealed his deep appreciation for the country’s rich cultural heritage. When he and his culinary team began pouring their combined century of culinary expertise into creating a restaurant that shares the soul of Mexico, one meal at a time.
Ashley’s path wound through start ups, adventure & yoga retreats in the Sahara, intimacy retreats in Mexico’s finest destinations, business ventures and breathtaking landscapes across five continents. Her leadership experience across multiple countries taught her how to build sustainable organizations, while her university years caring for children as a nanny and au pair revealed the profound joy of nurturing young minds. Between professional chapters, she found herself backpacking through Asian temples, exploring plant medicine traditions in Latin American jungles, and sitting with wisdom keepers who would forever change her understanding of holistic living. Her yoga certifications, breathwork training, and spiritual initiations weren’t just personal achievements—they became the foundation for understanding how true education must nourish the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
When these two individuals joined forces, something magical happened. Ashley’s gift for creating transformative retreat experiences, honed through years of facilitating life-changing journeys, merged seamlessly with Oskar’s educational vision and cultural expertise. Together, they began weaving a tapestry that honors ancient Mexican traditions while preparing learners for a globalized future. Oskar’s Oaxacan roots and flourishing artistic network synergized with Ashley’s passion for intercultural experiences and administrative mind to birth Worldschool Mexico, just three months after their daughter Cora Sabina blessed them with her birth.
The result is Worldschool Mexico—an educational haven that feels like home, because it truly is home to Ashley, Oskar, and multiple family members & the team they consider tribe.
Here, in San Miguel de Allende, in what Condé Nast and Travelers Choice consistently recognize as one of the world’s most beautiful and friendliest cities, they’ve created something unprecedented: a place where learning feels like celebration, where cultural immersion happens naturally, and where families discover that education can be both deeply rooted in tradition and boundlessly innovative.
Their vision extends far beyond traditional schooling. By collaborating with local artisans, master gardeners, musicians, craftspeople, and culture keepers, Ashley and Oskar have cultivated an educational ecosystem that pulses with the authentic rhythms of Mexican life. Every program reflects their belief that the most profound learning happens when we open our hearts to new cultures while honoring the wisdom of ancient traditions.
This is more than an educational venture—it’s a love letter from Mexico to the world, a celebration of human potential, and an invitation to families worldwide to discover that learning can be the greatest adventure of all.
Educational Philosophy:
Honoring Each Child's Unique Journey
Anthroposophy & Waldorf: Learning That Follows the Child
At Worldschool Mexico, we embrace educational philosophies that honor the fundamental truth that children learn best when they are free to express themselves and develop according to their unique nature. Drawing deeply from Anthroposophy and the Waldorf educational philosophy, our approach recognizes that each child is a complete individual with their own timeline, learning style, and creative potential waiting to unfold.
Anthroposophy, developed by Rudolf Steiner, views human beings as spiritual, soul, and physical entities who develop in distinct seven-year cycles. This understanding means we don’t rush young children into abstract academic concepts before they’re developmentally ready. Instead, we nurture their natural wonder through storytelling, artistic expression, and hands-on experiences that engage their whole being. The Waldorf philosophy translates this understanding into educational practice, emphasizing that learning should be beautiful, meaningful, and connected to real life.
For families new to these approaches, this means your child won’t be sitting at desks filling out worksheets or memorizing facts disconnected from experience. Instead, they might learn mathematics through the rhythm of traditional Mexican folk dances, discover geography by preparing regional cuisines from different states of Mexico, or develop language skills through the rich oral tradition of storytelling around our campus fire circle. Artistic expression isn’t separate from “real” learning—it’s woven into every subject, because we understand that children naturally learn through creativity, movement, and imagination.
This philosophy also means we honor each child’s individual developmental timeline. Some children are ready to read at five, others at eight—both are perfectly normal and healthy. Rather than forcing all children through the same academic hoops at the same time, we create rich, nurturing environments where children can explore, question, create, and discover at their own pace while building confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning that will serve them throughout their lives.
Flexible Enrollment:
Honoring Every Family's Unique Journey
Commitment Options That Embrace Diverse Educational Paths
At Worldschool Mexico, we recognize that families arrive at our doors with beautifully diverse stories, timelines, and educational needs. Whether you’re worldschooling nomads exploring Mexico as part of a grand adventure, homeschooling families who have chosen to make San Miguel de Allende your temporary or permanent home, or visiting learners seeking authentic cultural immersion during your travels, we’ve crafted enrollment options that honor your unique circumstances and learning goals.
For the most transformative experience possible, we wholeheartedly recommend a full 12-week immersion that allows families to truly absorb the depth and richness of Mexican culture while developing meaningful mastery in our program offerings. This three-month journey provides sufficient time for children to move beyond surface-level cultural appreciation into genuine understanding—mastering the intricate stitches of Oaxacan embroidery, developing confidence with traditional cooking techniques, building fluency in Spanish through natural conversation, and forming the deep, trusting relationships with local artisans and educators that create lasting impact. Both homeschoolers and worldschoolers find this extended immersion particularly valuable, as it allows them to integrate Mexican cultural learning seamlessly into their broader educational approach while giving their children time to develop genuine expertise in traditional arts and crafts.
Understanding that not every family’s journey allows for this ideal timeframe, we also offer monthly enrollment plans that provide meaningful engagement while accommodating more moderate stays. Homeschoolers and worldschoolers alike often find these monthly commitments perfect for enhancing their curriculum with intensive cultural studies—spending one month diving deep into traditional cooking and nutrition, another focusing on textile arts and mathematics through geometric patterns, or dedicating time to Spanish language immersion through storytelling and cultural exchange.
For families with even shorter visits or those seeking to enhance their existing curriculum with specific cultural experiences, individual class enrollment options ensure that every family can taste the magic of Worldschool Mexico, regardless of their timeline. Please note that individual class enrollment is limited to availability, with preference given to students enrolled for longer terms, as our commitment-based approach allows us to create the most cohesive and meaningful learning experiences for all participants. These flexible options allow both homeschooling and worldschooling families to customize their San Miguel experience, perhaps attending weekly cooking classes while exploring the city’s museums independently, or participating in weekend cultural workshops that complement their weekday academic focus.
This thoughtful enrollment structure creates a dynamic learning community where long-term immersion students can develop expertise and lasting friendships, while shorter-term participants—including homeschoolers and worldschoolers making the most of both brief and extended stays—bring fresh perspectives and cultural exchanges that enrich everyone’s experience. The result is a vibrant educational ecosystem that feels both stable and exciting, rooted in Mexican traditions yet open to the diverse wisdom that families from around the world bring to our mountain sanctuary.