When The Mandala School, Inc. opened in 2020, they had a vision for a different kind of learning environment. They believed in an immersive, engaging, and individualized educational experience focused on project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Their curriculum wasn’t solely based in textbooks and sitting at a desk; they also emphasized enrichment and life skills to round out a core academic education.
Throughout the pandemic, they were committed to in-person learning, and The Mandala School’s enrollment has grown from 19 students in 2020 to 52 in 2025.
“Our mission extends beyond education; we are building a transformative movement that redefines the learning experience for students, families, and responsible community engagement,” says Valencia Wood, Director of Programs and Development, at The Mandala School, Inc. in Bowie, MD.
The Mandala School’s goal was to break the one-size-fits-all model of traditional education and provide a place for the diverse needs of learners. They integrate principles from multiple learning philosophies, including Montessori and Sudbury. “Students meditate every morning before core studies. Our curriculum also includes outdoor education, farming, land stewardship, and so much more,” explains Wood.
But such a unique learning environment couldn’t be boxed into a typical classroom. When The Mandala School acquired a new campus in Bowie, MD, they looked to Community Forklift to help outfit their new home. “When I found the Community Forklift, it was like an interior designer’s dream — so many eclectic pieces, gems, and treasures. We were and remain on an extremely tight repair budget and wanted to make the most of every penny spent,” says Wood.
The staff saw the potential in Community Forklift’s incredible surplus and donated materials to create the enriching, welcoming learning environment they had envisioned. They applied for a grant, in addition to their own purchases, and were empowered to design the space they knew the children deserved.
“Because our school involves a curated learning experience, we wanted our school design to reflect the same and inspire our students,” says Wood. “We wanted one of our cabins to reflect the feel of an old modern English manor or school so, with part of the grant award, we picked a high-backed wooden bench for our fourth through sixth grade classroom.” She describes students who look at this “Hogwart’s Bench” as a place to spark creativity while they work. This isn’t a typical classroom — and this isn’t typical learning.
They also found a firepit on a visit to Community Forklift, which now serves as a gathering space on the campus.
Additionally, the staff picked up wooden boxes to be used as tables and storage, tables for staff desks, vinyl tiles that were used as a leveling base beneath vinyl wood flooring in the classrooms, and a scale for STEAM instruction.
Thanks to the Community Building Block grant, which bolstered the staff’s own purchases, they’ve created a new campus that inspires diverse learning and creativity. If you’re interested in applying for a Community Building Block grant for your organization, learn more here.
“When I found the Community Forklift, it was like an interior designer’s dream — so many eclectic pieces, gems, and treasures. We were and remain on an extremely tight repair budget and wanted to make the most of every penny spent.”
Every time you donate or shop at Community Forklift, you’re helping us lift up local communities through reuse. We turn the construction waste stream into a resource stream for communities in the DC region – by keeping perfectly good items out of the landfill, preserving historical materials, providing low-cost building supplies, and creating local green jobs.
