Our Programs
Our Nature Playgroup is for ages 18 months to 4-years-old to attend with their parent or caregiver. Playgroup runs seasonally and typically meets once a week as an introduction to our community, educational philosophy, and to spend some quality time together in nature! **Sponsorships are available for all of our programs.
Playgroup
Nature Preschool Pathfinders
Our Nature Preschool is a 100% outdoor program for ages 3-6 years old. Our mixed-age classes provide leadership opportunities and help stimulate each child’s development. We offer small class sizes and lots of individual attention with a maximum student-teacher ratio of 5:1. To ensure everyone’s safety, we have a minimum of 2 educators on-site at all times.
Our tuition is based on a few key details that make our program unique: low student/teacher ratios, a minimum of two adults on-site at all times, highly qualified educators who are knowledgeable about: child development, the natural world, outdoor specific first aid, positive communication style discipline, and love being outside in all weather. Our educators are the cream of the crop and we compensate them accordingly!
Our Nature Preschool operates September through May, Monday thru Thursday from 9am-1pm at Monte Sano State Park. Families can choose to attend either 2 or 4 days a week. We do not have contracts, but do require 30 days notice if you plan to leave our programs. Tuition will be a monthly flat rate for the entire school year (September through May).
Monthly tuition: $325/month for 2 days a week, $630/month for 4 days a week. Sponsorships are available to cover tuition expenses. **Registration has closed for the 2024-2025 school year. The waitlist and admissions process for the 2025-2026 school year can be found on our Admissions Process page.
Requirements: Children must be toilet proficient; able to stay in a group and follow instructions; and show respect towards peers, teachers, nature, and property.
Trailblazers and Explorers
Our Trailblazer and Explorers program is a 100% outdoor homeschool enrichment program for ages 6-10 years old. The Trailblazer class is for those turning 6 years old during the school year and our Explorers program is for those turning 8 years old during the school year. While similar to the Nature Preschool Pathfinders program, our Trailblazer and Explorers are given more freedom, more challenging tasks, and are encouraged to tackle more difficult questions about the world around them. While the Pathfinders spend the majority of time in their dedicated outdoor classroom, the Trailblazer and Explorers venture out into the landscape of Monte Sano State Park using both problem and place-based learning to interact with the amazing resource!
Our mixed-age classes provide leadership opportunities and help stimulate each child’s development. We offer small class sizes and lots of individual attention with a maximum student-teacher ratio of 6:1. To ensure everyone’s safety, we have a minimum of 2 educators on-site at all times.
Our Trailblazer and Explorers program operates September through May. The Trailblazers meet Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs from 9am-1pm at Monte Sano State Park. Our Explorers meet Mon/Wed from 9am - 1pm at Monte Sano State Park. We do not have contracts, but do require 30 days notice if you plan to leave our programs. Tuition will be a monthly flat rate for the entire school year (September through May).
Monthly tuition: $325/month for 2 days a week. Sponsorships are available to cover tuition expenses.
Requirements: Children must be able to stay in a group, and follow instructions, and show respect towards peers, teachers, nature, and property.
** Registration has closed for the 2024-2025 school year. The waitlist and admissions process for the 2025-2026 school year can be found on our Admissions Process page.