Grit, Grace, and Growth: How Verdi EcoSchool and Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Are Reimagining Physical Education in Melbourne, FL

Verdi EcoSchool students had the honor of meeting one of the greatest names in Jiu Jitsu - Carlson Gracie. Known for his deep influence on the sport, Gracie is not only a legendary competitor but also one of the most repected coaches in the history of BJJ.

It’s a sunny school day in Melbourne, Florida. Inside a vibrant studio space a few blocks away, a dozen students bow respectfully before beginning their warm-up. It’s not your typical school day—and this is definitely not your typical gym class.

Welcome to the mats of Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu, where students from Verdi EcoSchool trade textbooks for takedowns, and where the lessons learned reach far beyond the mat.

The Unlikely Classroom

This all began with a shared vision—a vision where education didn’t just happen behind a desk. Verdi EcoSchool, with its deep roots in experiential, place-based learning, was already breaking barriers with its outdoor classrooms, urban gardens, and project-based approach. But when it came to physical education, we saw a chance to do something even more radical: redefine movement as a path to self-discovery.

Enter Professor David Sutton. A black belt under the prestigious Carlson Gracie lineage, Professor Sutton brings more than technique to the mat—he brings wisdom, patience, and a quiet charisma that instantly puts kids at ease. He doesn’t just teach grappling; he mentors. He listens. And in doing so, he transforms a BJJ studio into a sanctuary for growth.

Stories from the Mat

For some students, the first classes are intimidating. The movements are unfamiliar, the rules feel strange, and rolling with a partner—learning to navigate pressure, balance, and submission—requires a level of trust most adults still struggle to master.

But slowly, something clicks.

One student—grins after her first successful sweep. Another, a high schooler who’s never liked team sports, stays after class to ask about armbar technique, her curiosity awakened in a way gym class never managed. Week by week, their bodies grow stronger—but more importantly, so do their minds.

“They are learning skills for life.” says Professor Sutton.

The Heart of the Partnership

This program isn’t just an alternative to traditional PE—it’s a reimagination. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches students how to breathe through discomfort, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to solve problems dynamically and creatively. These are life skills—wrapped in sweat, effort, and the humbling reality of the mat.

And it works because it aligns perfectly with Verdi EcoSchool’s philosophy. The physical education program invites students to move with purpose, engage deeply, and connect with their bodies as tools for expression, not just performance.

Parents have noticed the difference. “My son used to dread gym,” one parent shared. “Now he talks about BJJ with excitement. He’s learned that being strong doesn’t mean being aggressive—it means being aware and in control.”

A Movement Beyond Movement

What’s happening in Melbourne is more than a school program—it’s a blueprint. At a time when many educational institutions are searching for ways to engage students in meaningful movement, Verdi EcoSchool and Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu are showing what’s possible when you blend tradition with innovation, structure with freedom, and discipline with joy.

This isn’t about creating fighters. It’s about nurturing thinkers, doers, and compassionate leaders—one roll, one lesson, one breath at a time.