Ages: 6 - 11 Years Old

Days: M, T, W, TH, F

Where: Bend 

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Now enrolling for:

 2024/25, 1st-5th grade program!

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We offer programming for children 6-11 years of age. In order to create a safe, connected, trusting, and individualized learning environment, we have a low staff to child ratio of 1:6, with a maximum class size of 12 children. We have one licensed elementary teacher and one assistant teacher. 

 

Inspired by the progressive model and  European model, Waldkindergarten (all outside, all weather, early childhood programs), we have created an inclusive nature immersion primary grades program that provides children with the opportunity for adult supported uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature combined with project based learning with classroom time.

 

As a place-based program, children continually discover their “classroom” as the seasons and environments change throughout the year which inspires play and curriculum throughout the year.

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Within our outdoor classroom (plus yurt) we:

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• Place equal value on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of students.              

• Promote authentic learning with high expectations. 

• Provide an open atmosphere for the student's discovery of self, others, and the world around them. 

• Encourage an intimate connection to the natural world and surrounding communities through in-depth, integrated study. 

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 Key Programmatic Features​

• Nature immersion (w/yurt for classroom time as curriculum and weather require)

• Wilderness/Survival Skills

• Place-based education (connection w/community)

• Focus on Social Emotional Development

• Grade level learning standards embedded in project based work

• SEAM (Science, Engineering, Art, Math) 

• Individualized Learning

• Project based/integrated learning

• Interest-led/play-based learning

• Emergent Curriculum 

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Small student to teacher ratio of 6:1

• Multi-age classrooms

• Service Work

• Music

• Orienteering

• Yoga 

• Mindfulness 

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