The Doulos Sancocho
The Secret Recipe of Doulos Discovery School
In the Dominican Republic, rice, beans, and chicken—La Bandera (The Flag)—is the most well-known, beloved dish. It’s like the extroverted oldest sibling of Dominican food. But further down the family tree is a subtler, more complex dish called Sancocho—a rich stew made from a blend of meats, vegetables, and roots like beef, pork, chicken, corn, yuca, dumplings, and green bananas.
A good Sancocho is life-changing. That might sound extreme, but if you’ve ever had it, tu sabes, verdad? Everyone has their own version—some add extra yuca, others skip the corn—but the secret isn’t just in any one ingredient. It’s the unique combination that makes Sancocho unforgettable.
At Doulos Discovery School, we see Christian education the same way. What makes Doulos special isn’t any one “ingredient.” It’s the combination of five key elements—our Not-So-Secret Sauce—that makes us uniquely effective at raising up Dominican Christian servant leaders from diverse backgrounds.
The Five Essential Ingredients of Doulos
If you leave out any of these, it simply isn’t Doulos.
1. Christian Discipleship
Every Sancocho needs a strong base, and for Doulos, that’s Christian Discipleship. It is the foundation of everything we do.
If all we offered was high-quality education to students from different backgrounds, we would consider that a tragedy. Our purpose is greater—we intentionally work alongside the Holy Spirit to anchor students in Christ so they can be part of His restorative work in the world.
2. Expeditionary Learning Model
The Dominican Republic faces complex, real-world challenges. Our Expeditionary Learning (EL) model shapes students to be curious, resilient problem-solvers—ready to challenge the status quo and engage the world’s most difficult problems with grit and grace.
3. Mixed Socio-Economic Community
We believe God raises leaders from all walks of life. That’s why 50% of our student body is made up of students who would not otherwise have access to a private Christian school.
This economic diversity is non-negotiable. It reflects the Kingdom of God, where every student learns to serve, lead, and love across economic lines.
4. College and Calling Preparation
We prepare students for what’s next—whether that’s university, technical training, or direct service. Every student is expected and empowered to grow their capacity to impact their community by pursuing higher education or professional pathways that allow them to serve big and lead well.
5. Dominican Identity and Purpose
Doulos is not an international school. We are a Dominican school—proud of our roots and committed to the future of this nation.
Through service, cultural celebration, and critical reflection, our students grow a deep sense of ownership and calling to shape the future of the Dominican Republic.
Why This Recipe Matters
Bringing these five ingredients together takes hard work, sacrifice, and prayer. But this is the recipe God gave Doulos, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s a challenge: pick any one of those ingredients and imagine Doulos without it. What if we removed Christian Discipleship? Or stopped holding 50% of our spots for students from lower-income families? Or abandoned the Expeditionary Learning model?
It wouldn’t be Doulos. We must have all five. This is the combination God uses to raise up students who can truly lead with wisdom, courage, and servant hearts.
Grateful for Our Doulos Family
We are deeply thankful to God—and to every staff member, sponsor, family, team, volunteer, and donor—who invests time, resources, and love into keeping this recipe alive.
Doulos is a place like no other. Gloria a Dios—and thank you for being part of the story we’re cooking up together.