“School with Spirit” Launches a New Approach to Transforming School Culture Through Non-Formal Education

Aspire Community Transformation opens a conversation on the future of school culture and launches a 360° culture transformation model during Education Reimagined at the Regional Sustainable Development Forum
Cairo, Egypt – October 3, 2026 – Education Reimagined, held as part of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSD Forum) at Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, witnessed the launch of School with Spirit a model developed by Aspire Community Transformation, a subsidiary of Aspire Consulting International. The model introduces an integrated approach to reshaping school culture by embedding the principles and methodologies of non-formal and experiential learning within the educational environment. Moving beyond the traditional focus on curricula and teaching methods, School with Spirit places culture transformation and the everyday experiences of students at the heart of school development.
School with Spirit focuses on creating more engaging learning environments, strengthening human connections, supporting students’ personal growth, and fostering a deeper sense of participation and belonging. At its core is the belief that a school is more than a place for academic achievement; it is a community that plays a fundamental role in shaping students’ character, experiences, relationships, and the way they see themselves and the world around them.
While some of the challenges we face with our children and students may seem increasingly complex, sometimes the most complicated challenges call for the simplest and most creative approaches. This is why rethinking education culture requires looking beyond what students learn to consider how they experience education, how they engage with their school, the relationships they build within it, and how that experience shapes who they become alongside what they achieve academically.
At its heart, School with Spirit is a customized approach to non-formal and experiential learning that works simultaneously with students, educators, school leaders, and families to strengthen the culture of the entire school community. The model places character building at the core of the student experience, helping nurture confidence, belonging, leadership, collaboration, and personal growth alongside academic development. As a 360° model, it is designed to drive holistic and sustainable culture transformation by engaging all those who influence a student’s experience and the everyday life of a school.
The launch of School with Spirit marks a transition from vision to practical implementation, with two Memoranda of Understanding signed with Collège De La Salle and Shorouk Misr Association to implement the program, targeting more than 1,500 students. These partnerships represent an important step toward bringing the model to life, while creating opportunities to further develop and scale its approach through collaboration with diverse educational and community institutions and adapting its methodology to the needs of students and the communities it serves.
During the event, participants were introduced to the model through a live simulation experience, rather than a conventional theoretical presentation. Attendees became active participants in the experience, exploring firsthand how non-formal education methodologies can be integrated into the school environment and what school culture transformation can look like when these principles are put into practice.
Recognizing that transforming education and school culture is not the responsibility of educational institutions alone, Education Reimagined brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the wider education ecosystem. Attendees included school owners, education leaders, decision-makers and educators, alongside CSR leaders, donors, education investors, international organizations and NGOs. This diversity created a space for dialogue around the shared role different sectors can play in shaping a more holistic educational experience, while exploring opportunities to adapt and apply the model across different educational settings.
Nanis Yousry, Director of Aspire Community Transformation, said:
“Education should go beyond academic achievement to support the development of well-rounded individuals. This requires us to look beyond a child’s grades and academic performance and recognize the importance of their character, values, skills, ability to communicate, build meaningful relationships, and positively influence those around them. Creating a school environment that supports children’s academic and personal development is therefore essential.”
Bassem Emad, CEO of Aspire Consulting International, said: “Advancing education today requires moving beyond a primary focus on academic achievement toward creating learning environments that develop students’ capabilities and character alike. School with Spirit offers a practical approach to driving this shift by integrating the principles of non-formal education into school culture, supporting students’ holistic development and better preparing them for the future.”
Education Reimagined took place as part of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSD Forum), which brings together experts, decision-makers and innovators to explore new perspectives and practical solutions related to sustainable development, including the future of education and the role educational and community institutions can play in building more adaptable and thriving societies.
Through the launch of School with Spirit, Aspire Community Transformation aims to open a broader conversation around the future of school culture, shifting the focus from developing individual elements within the education system to creating holistic culture transformation across the entire school community, with the human experience at the heart of education.