Description
Heaven Hill Academy was founded in April 2015 and now has 72 students enrolled in Nursery, Lower Kindergarten, Upper Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes. The teaching is primarily done by five local, Nepali teachers employed by the school as well as Shamser Thapa, the school's principal and founder. There are also volunteers who assist with library lessons and tutoring weaker students in class, as Shamser also offers a homestay for those wanting to volunteer.
Classes range in size from 6-14 students and there is emphasis on teaching them through engaging, hands-on lessons in an English-medium. This is unique in Gaunshahar and, by not being associated with the government, allows Shamser to accept any children who want to attend school, even if their families are unable to afford the fees, and implement a teaching methodology that is much more liberal and progressive than most.
As Heaven Hill Academy grows, there will soon be another classroom built to accommodate the new Grade 3 class, and Shamser is hoping to eventually build the school so that it can accommodate up to Grade 5. Each year the school grows, in both number of students and buildings, but as well as outlook as with each volunteer that comes to help there are new ideas and plans to improve and evolve the school!
