Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World

by Susan Hughes

Travel around the globe to visit some of the world's most incredible schools, and meet the students who attend them, in this award-winning nonfiction pick for ages 9 to 12. This edition of a bestselling favorite is newly updated and re-released in 2022.

When North American kids picture a school, odds are they see rows of desks, stacks of textbooks, and linoleum hallways. But there are schools in caves, on boats, and on train platforms; there are green schools, mobile schools, and even treehouse schools. There’s a whole world of unusual schools out there! But the most amazing thing about them isn’t their location or what they look like. It’s that many of these schools have been able to provide safe learning environments for students who have unique lifestyles and who face tough environmental and cultural challenges.

Education is not readily available for kids everywhere, and many communities lack the resources that would make it easier for kids to go to school—but people around the world are finding creative ways to make education happen. In Off to Class, readers will travel around the globe to visit some of these incredible schools and, through personal interviews, meet the students who attend them, too. Their stories aren’t just inspiring—they’ll also get you to think about school and the world in a whole new way!

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, School, Picture Books, Childrens, Cultural, Middle Grade

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2011

About the author

Susan Hughes is an award-winning writer of over 30 children's books. She is also a freelance editor and story coach. For more information about Susan's writing process and editing services, or to contact her, refer to her website, which is www.susanhughes.ca.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach Spanish to elementary students, and there is nothing kids like more than to see how kids in other countries live. They rejoice in seeing Dominican students in their uniforms, Honduran boys and girls playing fútbol, kids in Spain breakfasting on churros con chocolate and Argentine children enjoying turron candy at Christmas — which, to my students’ amazement, comes in summer in South America!

The revised Off to Class candidly discusses barriers to education but also how schools worldwide adapt to climate change, earthquakes and, of course, poverty. The book features a fully green school in Canada blessed by David Suzuki, discrimination-free schools in Nepal, accessible schools in Scotland, Cambodian expatriates funding free schools, and lots of examples of education for girls everywhere and for kids in rural areas, refugee camps or poverty. This gem emphasizes how far educators will go to provide schooling for all, a real inspiration.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Owlkids Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about unusual types of schools around the world. Included are a distance learning school, a floating school, an energy-efficient school in Canada, a school in a cave, a school in a bus, portable bamboo schools, a treehouse school, train platform schools, a specially designed school for the hearing and visually impaired, and other non-traditional schools. The emphasis is on creating learning spaces for children who might not otherwise have access to school, and on bringing school to the children, wherever they may be. This book is sure to stimulate discussion and ideas. Recommended.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and inspirational. A great way to introduce elementary-aged students to a global perspective and also underscore the value of education.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is informative, and I can see kids losing focus with it after a while, but the photographs are great. And this book says something at the end that I think brings home why it is important: “Hope is contagious, and it can turn to action. It inspires others to help.” This book can do that by presenting all these schools with innovation and creativity.

[ILoveBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

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This book is perfect for readers of all ages who wish to learn more about the world around them. This book focuses on education, particularly in those parts of the world where education is forgotten and/or too expensive. A map is included of the world with the schools that were detailed in the book, making it easier for a reader to picture. The pictures in the book are real, they add immensely to the readers' understanding.


The first page in the book includes a few paragraphs highlighting "Education is For Everyone." The book's purpose is to enlighten the reader to other schools around the world, especially the more uncommon ones, and to promote the idea that every single person on this planet deserves a good education. The reader will enjoy the factual writing the author utilizes to detail the different schools in the many different locations. The book has quite a few happy outcomes from schools started and educations given. Traditions and cultures are acknowledged and the reader becomes acquainted with them. There is just the right amount of knowledge incorporated in this book so as not to overwhelm the reader and to leave a lasting impression. This book is wonderful for readers of all ages.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of schools--and how children around the world get to school. A nice invitation to students to take a look at how this happens around the world for kids who are more alike than they are different.

Floating schools?

Cave schools?

Modular schools?

Treehouse schools?

They are all explored here in this late 2011 non-fiction text.

[538am_Kelly O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to the UN, every child has a right to an education. This book explains the barriers to getting to school for children in 20 places around the world. In each of these places a form of school has been created, allowing the children there to gain an education. Reviewed by Kirkus, this non-fiction book is suitable for ages 9-13.

Each featured school is shown from kids' point of view and the pages include many brightly colored photographs. The text might be difficult for some 4th grade readers but would be a perfect teacher read-aloud or shared reading activity. The classroom discussion about comparing one of these schools to our own would be interesting. For example, in Bangladesh the school is a boat that picks up the children from isolated communities while in Scotland there is a school with Braille for signs and textures on the walls to support students with visual impairments.

Off to Class features kids of many races and nationalities. There are maps showing the location of each school so this lesson can be tied in to social studies as well. This isn't a book to read all the way through in one sitting. Rather, a teacher could select one story per day or use stories from the regions of the world the class is studying.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off to Class Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World by Susan Hughes – I’ve mentioned in another post how I admire Margriet Ruur’s books such as My School is a Rainforest and I was thrilled to discover this new book that I believe any school investigating perspectives of children from other cultures, lifestyles, and how children learn should read through. This is a book with depth, detail, and various ways to read. I think reading through the pictures, captions, and maps would appeal to younger readers and then the research and information will also be a treasure for 3rd-5th grade teachers and students. My favorite parts of the book were about “green” schools, from a school in Shey, India that has a solar-powered pump that draws water for drinking and washing from under the ground to a school in Windsor, Canada that has the goal of eliminating garbage… that school has: geothermal heating and cooling systems, solar-powered water heaters and green roofs in addition to solar panels.
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[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is school like around the world? This rich, dense nonfiction book explores what school is like for students around the world. Chapters address how different communities a variety of factors, including the environment, lack of school facilities, and mobile schools. The pictures and text features are attractive and enhance each section. There are first person accounts from students and detailed descriptions for many types of schools.

While the reading level is appropriate for upper elementary students, the content and length of the book make it a better fit for middle school students. This book will be most valuable as a teaching tool, especially for learning about different cultures, education, and nonfiction texts.

Great content, pictures, and an interesting book. And it pains me to say it, but I'm not sure it's a great fit for many elementary school libraries. If you have teachers and students that gobble up quality nonfiction, this is a great addition to your collection.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! Thank you Susan Hughes for taking the time to put together such a great children's book. I am always looking for ways to introduce my children to other "worlds" and ways of doing things so that they do not become self-absorbed thinking that every where is like here. They enjoyed all the pictures and stories of all the different types of schooling environments and techniques. I really enjoyed that the book did not have to be read from front to cover, rather you can skip around to the different schools. We spent time discussing what we like and disliked about the schools and the children noticed how the kids were dressed and the economic state of things represented in the pictures.

I highly recommend this book to teachers and parents alike.

Thank you for this review copy.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made its way through several of the teachers at my school before I got it back to review. We are an IB World School, so the other teachers thought they should read this book to share with their students how lucky they are to be able to have an education that comes so easy. It was eye opening to see how these kids live and how much they value an education. This is a block that definitely will go on my shelves. My students need to realize how good they have it.

For me the most interesting thing was the Platform schools. Kids are free to cme and go, or bring younger siblings. This eliminates many problems they may have.

I personally would love to hold school in a tree house. I think Ill share this book with my students at the beginning of next school year. Maybe then they will appreciate the free educational chances they have.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about various schools around the world, from "boat schools" that make it possible for children to attend class in the monsoon season in Bangladesh, to distance education on the internet, to the tent schools set up in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. There are lots of photographs, and the schools' students, teachers and founders are quoted. I really enjoy this and I think a lot of adults would, even though it's a book designed for children. It's one of those books that restores your faith in humanity.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each two page spread talked about a unique school somewhere around the world. From school boats in Bangladesh to a special school (really cool architecture) in Scotland for the visuallly, etc. impaired. A really cool book.

[Louise Bendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at schools around the world, and a wonderful reminder of how we should appreciate and work for every educational opportunity. I really liked the bit about boat schools in Bangladesh that stop at different villages to give kids the chance to learn after monsoon season.

[Beth]

While I liked the subject matter of this book, the layout was a little too "textbook-y" for me. I felt too much like I was reading a social studies textbook.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text appropriate for older elementary students, but worth sharing with younger ones as well.

[Elles_shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off to Class was a fascinating book to read.. As an educator, it was eye opening to see what some children have to go through just to receive an education. So many people in the US take free public education for all students for granted. So many other children around the world have to go to great extremes to receive any education at all. I enjoyed reading some of the ingenious ways that people were trying to make education (a basic human right according to the United Nations) more accessible for more students. I also enjoyed the pictures showing various students in their unique schools.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about schools created for children in need of a place to learn. There are three chapters; chapter one: working with the environment; chapter two: no school: no way!; chapter three: one size doesn't fit all.
Schools are shown in Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States. Also discussed are mobile schools and long distance learning for anywhere in the world. Illustrated with scenes of actual locations.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book. It's the kind of thing that we found better enjoyed in small bites. It has led to a greater empathy for the challenges of children around the world, a greater gratitude for our own ample opportunities, and a lots of great conversations about how individuals can make a big difference by following up on their passion and a small vision for change. A very well-written, empowering book.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful non-fiction book about attending school in different places in the world. The real photographs are intriguing and will definitely draw kids in. The pictures also aid in the understanding of the content of the book because it can be hard for children to relate to experiences so different from their own. I could definitely see this book in my grade 3 classroom library! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book with great visuals that give students a taste of what other students might be facing in various parts of the world. I love how the approach is empowering and educating and not taking a ‘poor them’ approach to schools outside the western ‘norm’. The graphics are great and I like how I can choose to read students a taste if a few schools and let those interested read more.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through photographs and interviews, visit schools serving children in unexpected places such as on Bangladesh boats, in Chinese caves, and in tents of reindeer-herding nomads of Siberia in this informative survey of global educational opportunities (and, too often, the lack thereof).

[Ashley Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what the first one was, but I do love this one. It is rare to find books that tell students what school is like for other children around the world. I love that this book explores other countries and dig deep into the school’s culture. Must read and have for classrooms.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about unique schools all over the world.

[Laurian · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a non-fiction kid book, I thought this was pretty great. I think every time my kid complains about his school I'm going to make him re-read this.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love HOW children all over the world are getting an education. This would be a great book for a teacher to share with his/her students.

[Tonnia Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay

[Sarah Bigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pictures and info about schools around the world

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should genuinely be part of teacher prep coursework. I learned so much about different schools all over the world, how folks solve complex problems, that human resilience is incredible