ATHENS
LEARNING
COLLECTIVE


#Welcome to the Athens Learning Collective!
We are a self-organized group of German- and English-speaking parents based in the south of Athens who live and work location-independently (as commuters, expats, digital nomads, etc.). We want to offer our children the opportunity to learn together with other kids in a group setting and, if desired, to prepare them for exams and certifications in their countries of origin. Our learning group is open to children of all nationalities who, due to frequent relocations, are unable to attend a traditional school and are often engaged in homeschooling programs from their home countries. Learning takes place in both German and English.

#Background
Our initiative emerged from the systemic challenges of educating and socializing children while frequently changing locations. Most schools require constant physical presence, while concepts like homeschooling or online learning can overwhelm many parents and may lead to social isolation. It is important to us to provide our children with the opportunity to learn in a group setting that, in many ways, resembles a “traditional” school: with a well-equipped learning space, supervision by competent adults, the presence of other children, and a structured curriculum with clear schedules. At the same time, we aim to offer a flexible environment that meets the individual needs of the children and their families.

#Concept
Our concept is based on the belief that all children are curious and enjoy learning, as long as this is not negatively affected by pressure to perform, grades, homework, selection, etc. Our learning group is organized and designed by parents, educators and children on an equal footing. It is non-hierarchical, based on solidarity, and full of fun and creativity. There is no homework and all learning materials stay in the learning space, so that the children can have free time in the afternoon and need not carry heavy backpacks around Athens.

#TeamOur team consists of trained teachers for specific subjects, motivated learning facilitators, and of course the parent collective, which actively helps shape the learning group and lessons together with the children.

#Learning Locations We wish to provide the children with a variety of learning locations. First, our regular learning space, easily accessible and well-equipped with laptops, smart board, projector, musical instruments, a workshop, a kitchen, art supplies etc. Learning also takes place regularly at various other places: libraries, sports fields, the local market, museums, the sea, the forest and other settings where the children can learn not only academical but also life skills.

#Financing Our group is non-commercial and non-profit, meaning that we share all expenses and financial contributions are used exclusively to cover ongoing costs such as rent, electricity, internet, materials, food, activities, educators etc. Obviously, our budget also depends on the number of children and families involved. We try to keep the costs under 300 Euro per child per month and the more children participate, the cheaper it is.  


*Further information about our concept and background can be found in our FAQ

For further questions, suggestions, and criticism, you can reach us by email 24/7: lernkollektiv@mail.com

We look forward to seeing you! ❤
Athens Learning Collective



FAQ
What does everyday life look like?
  • Schedule
    The study group meets five days a week, Monday to Friday 6 hours from morning till afternoon, with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. There is no rigid division by subject; instead, we work on individual topics over specific periods of time. We spend a lot of time outdoors and learn in varied environments and situations. The holidays are based on the Greek school holiday calendar. Of course, children of travelling families have the option to stay away from the learning group at any point, as this is a fundamental feature of our project.

  • Structure
    All age groups learn together, with and from each other, in a space divided into different areas that offers children the opportunity to work alone or with others, depending on what they are currently doing. The learning facilitators explain, guide and in many occasions support the children in creating and following their own programm.

  • Lunch
    Quality food is important, so we regularly cook lunch together with the children in our kitchen. Menu planning, buying groceries and cooking is considered as part of the learning process. The children can suggest meals, create their own recipes, and experiment. On some days we also order food, especially if the group meets outside.

    • How do we feel about grades?
    As a self-organized learning collective, we do not assign grades. Instead, we rely on alternative forms of assessment that place greater focus on each child's individual learning process. These include regular feedback sessions, personalized support, and competency-based evaluations. In many educational and academic circles, the prevailing opinion on the usefulness of grades is increasingly shifting toward a more critical perspective — one that we, as a learning collective, also share. The trend points toward a stronger focus on alternative methods of assessment that emphasize the learning journey and the personal development of each child.

    Why is there no homework?
    Homework in schools is no longer considered appropriate and can actually be detrimental to learning. Studies show that the benefits of homework are limited, especially for younger students. According to a meta-analysis by Harris Cooper (2006), homework has a positive effect, if any, on academic performance only among older students (from 7th grade onwards), while it hardly provides any measurable benefit for elementary school students. Excessive homework also leads to stress, sleep deprivation and child-parent conflict, which negatively impacts students' well-being. A study by Stanford University (2014) shows that homework can lead to health problems such as exhaustion and headaches. Instead of homework, we therefore rely on interactive and creative learning methods that encourage independent thinking without putting unnecessary pressure on students.

    What about school changes, certificates and further studies?
    Several countries (e.g Belgium, Austria, Ireland, the UK, Spain etc.) offer the option of taking either an end-of-year or an end of school exam at state institutions for children who do not attend regular education. The resulting certificates are in most cases equivalent to those obtained through regular school attendance and enable students to change to almost any other school and, with appropriate grades, attend secondary and tertiary education. The Athens Learning Collective can, when the parents so wish, support students who are registered in those countries to study for their respective exams.


    For further questions please contact us by email: lernkollektiv@mail.com

    Athens Learning Collective 2025