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HEART students gathered outside their classrooms
Our School

A school created for them, and those who come after them

The HEART in Haiti School (Ecole Mixte de Sibert) is a model of excellence in teaching, learning, and sustainable education.

Who we are

Our vision, mission and values

Our vision

The HEART in Haiti School is a model of excellence in teaching, learning, and sustainable education.

Our mission

To educate the whole child, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Our values
  • Integrity and Respect
  • Accountability and Transparency
  • Commitment to being responsible community and world citizens by promoting sustainability
  • Dedicated to our students and teachers through holistic education
  • Commitment to excellent learning
Our story

From a damaged family home to a two-acre campus

Some are little and some are beginning to look like young men and women. All of the students share a school that was created for them and those who come after them.

2010

A school begins

Founded in an earthquake-damaged house, the family home of Director Schadrac Saint Louis, with 42 students and five teachers from the community.

Partners arrive

Serendipity plays its role

Jonathan Nash Glynn, delivering supplies in his own plane, partnered with Shad. Two acres of land were chosen for a true campus.

Shipping containers

Real classrooms

Professor Richard John Livingstone Martin of Georgia Tech built classrooms from retired shipping containers, with support that grew from the Midtown Atlanta Rotary Club across the USA and Europe.

A growing campus

The Rose Foundation building

An all-purpose building, a gift from the Rose Foundation, provides space for community as well as school activities.

2018

A new library

Jim Hill and the Dudes of Disruption raised $35k to finance the construction of the school’s new library.

2024

Our first graduates

The Class of 2024 became HEART’s first-ever graduating class, and the school is expanding to include 12th grade.

The Richard J. Martin building on the HEART campus
A young student in a HEART classroom
HEART students playing brass instruments
A smiling HEART student
Why it matters

Education is the best way to help children reach their full potential

In Haiti, 90% of schools are private and many parents cannot afford to send their children to school.

Our teachers receive regular training in the most effective educational methods. Since 2010 HEART has positively impacted the lives of more than 2000 individuals through youth and adult education, health and dental clinics, donation distributions, employment opportunities, and community workshops.

We strive to purchase from merchants local to the school whenever possible, to strengthen the local economy.

  • HEART students smiling together in their school uniforms
  • A smiling HEART student
  • Preschool students at their tables
  • A smiling student with one of the school goats
  • Students in a fundamental class
  • A student playing the saxophone
  • Smiling HEART students
  • A young student reading a new library book
  • A young HEART student smiling
  • A student writing in her notebook
  • The HEART in Haiti School campus
  • A kindergarten student in a green uniform
Leadership

Board of Directors

HEART is all-volunteer run. Board members are located in different states and meet monthly.

Schadrac St. LouisSchadrac St. LouisExecutive Director
George GarlandGeorge GarlandPresident
John KatzensteinJohn KatzensteinTreasurer
Carina Saint LouisCarina Saint LouisSchool Counselor
Christine SundbergChristine SundbergEducation Coordinator
Fred PesceFred PesceWeb and Marketing Lead
Nicholaos PapadopoulosNicholaos PapadopoulosFundraising
Jim HillJim HillFundraising
Thomas BlonThomas BlonBoard Member
Joanne LeaJoanne LeaBoard Advisor

Honorary Board

  • Renee Asofsky
  • Donna King
  • Maria Blon
  • Erik Fisher Ph.D.
  • Kathy McMillen
  • Kurtis McMillen
  • David Zimmerman
  • Salomon Laguerre
  • Sandra Murray
  • Lynne LeBeau
  • Patricia Marinelli
  • Corinne Warren

In Memoriam

Dick Martin · Barbara Rose

Meet the full boardSchool team

Men anpil, chay pa lou
Many hands, the load is not heavy
Haitian proverb

Empower a child in Haiti

The Buddy Program fosters a meaningful connection between you and your sponsored student. It is about building hope and opportunities.