Zeitschrift für Begabungsforschung und Talententwicklung: Issue 2/2025, 2. Volume School as an Ecosytem

The foundation for a potential-enhancing, dynamic learning environment at a school is a mission statement developed jointly with all stakeholders, as well as coherent pedagogical approaches. Using the example of the Franziskus School, this article demonstrates how a mission statement developed through participatory processes and real-life-oriented teaching projects not only promote participation and collaboration, but also support the holistic development of learners’ individual potential – including those of particularly gifted students. The text describes how teachers and students jointly developed a mission statement for their elementary school that provided children with opportunities at various levels to further develop and consolidate their self-regulation skills. The framework for this was created with an educational ecosystem that unites the various focuses of the school Curriculum under a single overarching objective. The development of the school’s Mission statement and its implementation – exemplified by the musical project “Open Stage” – demonstrate that such learning conditions promote not only subject-specific competencies, but also the ability to reflect on oneself, experience self-efficacy, and self-care, as well as the students’ action competencies.

Keywords
educational ecosystem, mission statement, participation, pedagogical approach, development of potential, learning environment