Laima Pačėsienė, Co-Founder of a Nearly Decade-Old Private Lyceum: “We Built This School for Our Own Children – and It Became a Second Family”

Laima Pačėsienė, who co-founded a private lyceum with her husband nearly a decade ago, says that this step was taken out of the desire to provide the best academic education for their own children. She emphasizes that creating a family-like atmosphere at school is essential – an environment where students feel accepted as they are and safe to be themselves. The idea, which has become her life’s work, also helps her personally: when she feels tired, she simply goes to talk to the students, who give her the energy to keep going for both her family and her “second family,” as she calls the school.

Why was it so important for you that your daughter receive the best possible education you could offer?

As mothers, we are capable of doing so much for our children. Founding a school with my child in mind gave me strength. It’s incredibly important to me that a child receives a holistic education – a balance between academic knowledge and personal development. This idea became the core philosophy of education at Erudito Licėjus.

Today’s youth are sometimes seen as too quick to give up. Could this actually be a strength – a sign that, as a society, we no longer glorify suffering as the only path to success?

Modern youth are eager to try new things, to search for their identity, and to do what brings them joy. I believe this is the right approach. Of course, to achieve great results, one must put in a lot of effort – sometimes even “suffer.” But if a child is doing something they love, then even the “struggle” can be enjoyable. It’s essential for them to discover what resonates with them and where they want to grow. Our job is to help them, and that’s the mission of our active, integrated, and inclusive education model.

How do you find a balance between freedom and responsibility, discipline and personal expression?

At school, we raise free and independent children. A free person makes their own choices, takes responsibility, makes mistakes, and discovers. We openly discuss mistakes, name them clearly, analyze them – we want mistakes to become the best teachers. This nurtures responsible individuals. We achieve discipline through mutual agreements, and the students are always involved in making those decisions. When someone acts inappropriately, we talk about it together, encouraging positive behavior and mindset.

What measures do you take to ensure students feel safe and accepted, no matter who they are?

Each of us is unique. Our students are not afraid to be themselves – they freely express their ideas and creative solutions. Project-based learning is especially effective in this, as it involves a lot of teamwork. Students learn to listen to others, find compromises, and collaborate. The lyceum is highly international – we have students and teachers from more than 30 countries. This cultural diversity helps students understand and positively embrace differences, appreciating them as something unique and enriching.

How do you ensure that every student receives attention and is seen and valued, even when there are many of them?

I feel incredibly lucky because I receive so much positivity and good energy from our students. If I feel very tired at work, I go and talk with the students. The fatigue disappears instantly. Children are a true source of energy.

How do you teach children to love their bodies and make health-conscious decisions?

Balanced nutrition is a priority at our lyceum. We offer a wide variety of meals – from vegetarian to meat and fish dishes, along with plenty of vegetables. Children choose based on their own preferences. On Fridays, we have non-uniform days and allow ourselves a treat – Italian pizza. We encourage students to spend breaks outdoors and be as physically active as possible.

Why is your school, and education in general, so important to you for the growth and development of both individuals and society?

Because education is the foundation of a child’s life. The environment in which a child is raised and educated shapes the values they carry into the next stages of life, including their academic choices. When they encounter new environments, they are able to discern, think critically, and continue planning their lives. A strong educational foundation allows for that.

Did your views on children, parenting, and independence come from your own family or motherhood experience?

Raising daughters from different generations has been a continuous learning experience, keeping me closely aligned with the latest educational trends. When looking for a school for our first daughter, Ieva, we wanted one that focused on personality development. At the time, we were among the brave few to choose a non-traditional school. Ieva started school – the equivalent of pre-K – at age five because the independence-focused upbringing we gave her led to early maturity. Through singing and shared reading, she learned to read by age four.

Our second daughter, Liepa, inspired the creation of the school itself, integrating the best global educational practices and our own experiences. She has attended Erudito Licėjus since its founding.

Our daughters are from different generations, but they share so much. Without them, we would not have had these experiences. I am a truly happy mother and woman.