Tutition is $3800 for the year. We are a Learns/EFA approved microschool.

For more information see our Tuition & Fee Schedule

We will meet for two 16 week semesters (with a 4-week winter break!)

Fall Semester: August 25 - December 17 (off Thanksgiving Week)

Spring Semester: January 26 - May 20 (off for Spring Break Week)

We will be outside in EVERY type of weather - heat, rain & snow! You have probably heard the saying that “no weather is bad weather - only bad clothing!” Part of attending our school is learning to dress for the weather & be outside in all conditions. All students will be required to have appropriate rain & snow gear. More info will be available after enrollment, but you can look at this website for some ideas of what you will need: https://outdoorschoolshop.com/shop/

The only exceptions to this would be for transportation reasons:
1. Closing for road conditions in case of snow/ice.
2. Severe Storms & Flooding.

Students will grow in each of these subjects:

Literature & Storytelling
STEM
Nature Study
Social Studies (History, Geography, etc.)
Art
Outdoor Skills/Physical Education

We will also have a designated study hall/tutoring time where students can work on book work from home.

We have found that children learn skill-based subjects (math, phonics, reading, writing) at all different rates. Because we are a homeschool hybrid, we trust YOU as the parents to choose what curriculum, style, and level works for YOUR child! You, of course, are the ones who know your child best!

At Forest School, your skill level in these subjects is not the most important thing about your learning! While there will be opportunities to work on book work from home during the day, we will do most of our learning through hands-on exploration, group projects and oral narration/discussion!

We hire qualified teachers with teaching degrees or years of expertise in their subject area. All staff are background checked.

While we don’t hold strongly to one particular philosophy, we draw from Charlotte Mason’s ideas, as well as Waldorf, Montessori and many others.

We agree with the idea that “children are born persons” and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect as they discover the world around them. We value parents as the primary educator of their children & hope to come alongside them in the holistic growth of their children.

We see that research suggests it is best for children to be outside 4-6 hours a day, in all kinds of weather. Large amounts of time of outdoor, child-led play are crucial to children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.

We are passionate about play-based learning , creating space for creativity and risk taking. We believe in educating in a way that is not solely focused on “what” children are learning, but “how” to become a person who has a life-long love of learning!

If you’d like to learn more, here’s some books you could read:

Balanced & Barefoot [Angela Hanscom]
Anxious Generation [Jonathan Haidt]
The Last Child in the Woods [Richard Louv]
For the Children’s Sake [Susan Schaeffer Macaulay]
Forest Schools & Outdoor Learning in the Early Years [Sara Knight]

If there is enough interest, we are considering offering a bus/shuttle option from a location in South Fayetteville. This would come with a transportation fee of $450/semester. If your attendance would depend on this transportation option, please reach out!

We have trained and qualified staff caring for and guiding the children! Your child will be well-loved and protected. Our staff are background checked and certified in CPR & First Aid.

The nature of outdoor play is that it comes with RISK. Children are encouraged to explore and adventure - which can sometimes include scraped knees & small injuries. Also, being in the middle of the woods means they will likely encounter bugs, snakes, ticks and wild animals!

It will be necessary that any child attending Forest School will be able to abide by our Forest School guidelines - in order to assure the safety of everyone. We will require that all families sign an Assumption of Risk Waiver to participate in Forest School.