Devela World School Mexico
Discreet, focused, and intense educational events throughout the year for students over 5 years
What Is Devela World School?
Devela Worldschool is a worldschool school in Mexico for students over the age of 5 years. We offer discreet, focused, and intense educational events throughout the year.
The Devela World School was created to bring kids together to work collaboratively and creatively for the community where we live.
Always included with our focused, educational intensives for the kids are emotionally detoxifying evening events for parents and guardians (at an additional, but optional charge). These optional emotional detox events include the native Mexican temazcal ceremony, native sacred medicines, drum circles, and discussion and support groups for traveling parents, and more.
Our Location in Mexico
The Devela World School is located in central Mexico, about 90 minutes from the AIFA airport in Mexico City in a small community nestled high in the mountains. This location provides easy access for international families while offering an authentic Mexican mountain community experience.
Villa del Carbón, Mexico
90 minutes from Mexico City
Our Educational Philosophy
We believe that true education happens when families heal together and children are free to follow their natural curiosity
Worldschooling
Learning happens everywhere. We use the rich cultural landscape of Mexico as our classroom, fostering global awareness and cultural sensitivity through authentic experiences.
Trauma-Informed Healing
We recognize that parent healing directly impacts children's capacity to learn. Our programs integrate sacred medicines, ceremony, and therapeutic practices for deep family transformation.
Student-Led Education
Children are natural learners. We create environments where their curiosity guides the journey, developing critical thinking, creativity, and authentic self-expression.
Our Core Values
Being true to ourselves and honoring each family's unique journey
Building deep relationships with ourselves, each other, and the world
Embracing transformation and continuous learning for all ages
Honoring indigenous wisdom and sacred healing traditions
About Our Founders
The Devela World School was created by Jennifer Shipp, John Shipp, and Lydian Naing-Shipp, and Myo Naing. As a family, John, Jennifer and Lydian traveled to more than 50 countries of the world once-upon-a-time as worldschoolers before the word "worldschool" had any meaning or acceptance. Myo Naing is a native of Myanmar who has traveled to more than 20 countries and though he wasn't worldschooled, he grew up in an Asian culture that provides us with a balance of Eastern perspectives and ideas
Jennifer has a master's in family psychology while Lydian has studied nutrition and healing diets in various world cultures. Myo Naing and John are both web developers who work with AI, VR, AR, and electronic engineering. John and Myo Naing work at the top of their field in technology, electronics, and engineering.
Jennifer and Lydian together have certifications in women's health and healing (for all stages of life), grief studies, sexuality, trauma-informed therapies (including EMDR, brain entrainment and neurofeedback, and more), music therapy, dance therapy, nutrition and orthomolecular medicine, hypnotherapy, tai chi and qi gong, and biomagnetic therapy. They program all of the Emotional Detox experiences for parents.
Lydian was homeschooled and worldschooled by Jennifer from the beginning of her educational life through graduation with high scores on her GED in the U.S. Lydian now is homeschooling and worldschooling her own daughter,
Maya, here in Mexico. Both Jennifer and Lydian have worked on very big, themed educational pop-ups (Cornstalk and School District 13) involving hundreds of volunteers and thousands of visitors from all over the globe converging in Nebraska annually. As a family, John, Jennifer, and Lydian renovated an old public school building between 2008 and 2017, before moving to Mexico, to host large events and to give gymnastics, dance, and martial arts classes for kids and adults.
Lydian was an award-winning gymnast up to age 15 years. Lydian, Jennifer, John and Myo Naing have black belts in tae kwon do also. John has studied Yin Yoga for many years.
After moving to Mexico, the family homesteaded farmland in the mountains above Mexico City and built (themselves, by hand, without heavy equipment of any kind) a gym, an educational kitchen, classrooms, a treatment space, a temazcal, two houses, one cabin (at the time of this writing, as they are in the process of building more) and all of the other structures on the property. Together the four of them are skilled in carpentry, electricity, and plumbing. The property is solar-powered.
At the homestead, classes are offered in our beautiful gym space, classroom spaces, outdoor spaces, and even our treatment spaces depending on the focus of classes. We work with locals who offer medicinal herb and mushroom-identification classes, Mexican and Latin dance instructors, metal engineers, chocolatiers, and other talented people who have so much to offer young students. All of our classes are hands-on and interactive.
Local students get involved and provide traveling students with a built-in community of Spanish-speakers with which to practice Spanish and interact. This is a rich, but low-stress educational environment that was designed to support families, healing, and cultural exchange.
Year-Round World School Pop-Ups
Short, intensive world school pop-ups throughout the year for traveling families. Each pop-up involves a themed project and some type of presentation-experience. Projects and class offerings are student-driven and based on student information provided at the time of enrollment.
Pop-Up Burmese Restaurant
August 18th - August 31st, 2025
Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily
Final Presentation - Evening: August 29th, 30th, 31st
Learn and create a culinary experience for the public while immersively learning Spanish. Students will learn about Burmese/Myanmar food and culture from a Myanmar native, featuring healthy, ethnically diverse foods with opportunities for dance, presentations, theatrical set-design, and more.
The Big Halloween Event
October 16th - October 31st, 2025
Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily
Final Presentation: October 29, 30, 31st
A themed project involving cultural exploration and creative presentation.
A Mexican Thanksgiving / Día de Gracías
November 24th - 28th, 2025
Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily
Final Presentation - Afternoon: November 27th
Cultural celebration combining Mexican and traditional thanksgiving elements.
Technology, Electronics, Pneumatics, Animatronics, and AI Display
December 8th - 19th
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 12:30 AM daily
Final Presentation: December 19th
Each year, we develop A Nightmare Before Christmas using any of the following VR, AR, Music, Theatrical Set Design, Costuming, Food Prep, and More. Student-driven projects based on student interests provided at enrollment.
What to Expect Daily
Morning Circle (9:00-9:15)
Intention setting, cultural learning, and day planning together
Project Time and Creative Expression (9:15-12:00)
Student-chosen deep dives into interests with mentor support. Arts, music, movement, and collaborative projects
Cultural Immersion (10:00-12:00)
Local experiences, Spanish practice, community connections
Reflection Circle (12:00-12:30)
Sharing discoveries, gratitude, and tomorrow's interests
Benefits for Kids and Parents
Discover how our unique approach creates transformative experiences for every family member
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For Students
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Student-Led Learning: Follow your natural curiosity and interests while developing critical thinking skills
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Cultural Immersion: Experience authentic Mexican culture, language, and traditions firsthand
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Creative Expression: Engage in arts, music, and hands-on projects that spark imagination
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Collaborative Learning: Build relationships and learn alongside diverse peers from around the world
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For Parents
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Emotional Detox: Participate in healing ceremonies and trauma-informed therapy sessions
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Sacred Ceremonies: Experience Temazcal, sacred medicines, and traditional healing practices
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Community Support: Connect with like-minded families on similar journeys
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Personal Growth: Develop tools for conscious parenting and family harmony
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about joining our worldschooling community in Mexico
Worldschooling is education through travel and cultural immersion. Unlike traditional homeschooling that often replicates school at home, worldschooling uses the world as a classroom. Children learn through real experiences, cultural immersion, and practical application. Our programs specifically focus on student-led learning where children pursue their natural curiosities while developing global awareness and cultural sensitivity.
No prior Spanish knowledge is required! Our programs are conducted in English with Spanish immersion as part of the learning experience. We have bilingual facilitators and cultural interpreters. Learning Spanish naturally through immersion is actually part of our educational approach. Many families find that children pick up conversational Spanish quickly through play and real-world interactions.
We absolutely welcome neurodivergent children and believe our student-led approach often works beautifully for kids who don't thrive in traditional settings. Our small group sizes, flexible structure, and sensory-rich environment can be ideal for many neurodivergent learners. We work with families to ensure proper support and accommodations.
We provide guidance and recommendations but families arrange their own accommodation. Options include:
- • Vacation rentals: Airbnb houses perfect for families
- • Extended stay hotels: Family-friendly options with kitchenettes
- • Coliving spaces: Digital nomad-friendly accommodations
- • Local family stays: Immersive homestay experiences
We provide a curated list of vetted accommodations and can help connect families who want to share housing costs.
Children's safety is our absolute priority. Adult healing ceremonies happen when children are either in supervised activities / daycare at our facility (such that the children are nearby). Sacred plant medicine ceremonies are adults-only and take place in separate, secure locations. Temazcal (sweat lodge) can include children in age-appropriate ways if families choose. All ceremonial leaders are experienced with family safety protocols.
Yes! We offer flexible payment plans allowing you to split payments over 3-6 months.. Additionally, we offer sibling discounts, early bird pricing (15% off for bookings and complete payment 60+ days in advance), and work-exchange opportunities for families with relevant skills to contribute to our programs. If you are a citizen, temporary or permanent resident of Mexico, contact us directly for special discounts.
Contact Information
For more information about our programs or to learn about upcoming opportunities
Email Us
Send us an email for information about our programs or to ask any questions.
Our Location
Located in central Mexico, about 90 minutes from the AIFA airport.
How to Get Started
Send us an email
Contact info@develaworldschool.com with your questions or interest
Choose your programs
Select which events and ceremonies interest your family
Plan your visit
We'll help with accommodation and travel arrangements
Early Enrollment Discount: Students who enroll early – more than 1 month in advance – receive a 10% discount.
Remember: You don't need to have students enrolled in our daytime events to participate in evening emotional detox ceremonies.