K-4 Forest School
A full-time forest school option for grades K-4.
Our full-time school operates Mondays through Fridays from 8:30AM-3PM. We’re offering Kindergarten through 4th grade, and an after-school program called Treecess. Students will get a full menu of academics, including Reading, Writing, Math, hands-on Science, History and Geography, as well as our popular survival skills course included in their regular learning. Academics will be completed in the morning, leaving the afternoon open for learning through exploration and adventure, the true forest school way! MAP testing will occur 3 times per year, and student evaluations will be completed every quarter. An individualized approach is taken for math and reading in that we group students by ability. Students who excel in these subjects will have an opportunity to be challenged. Students who are working towards grade-level goals will be placed at their learning level so they won’t miss foundational learning. Our goal is for every student to be operating at or above grade-level. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice per year. We hope to have separate classes for each grade, but grades may be combined based on enrollment.
Forest School is an educational model that emphasizes learning in nature and outdoor environments. It is a child-centered approach to education that encourages hands-on, experiential learning, with a focus on personal, social, and emotional development. Forest School is held exclusively in the outdoors and offers a range of activities to promote respect for nature, self-confidence, creativity, and independence. It originated in Scandinavia in the 20th century and has grown in popularity around the world as a complement to traditional classroom-based education.
What is Forest School?
The Logistics
Ready for more info? Current tuition, program updates, and calendars can be found here!
Full Time
Our Full-Time Forest School Program is available for Kindergarten through 4th grade. Grades may be combined based on enrollment. It is the perfect option for parents looking for a unique and immersive outdoor learning experience for their children. Our program includes a full menu of hands-on academics, ensuring that children are able to enjoy the benefits of learning in nature while also receiving a top-quality education.
Forest School
Our experienced instructors lead children on a range of exciting activities, including plant and animal identification, nature exploration, and outdoor art and writing projects. With a focus on experiential learning, children are encouraged to approach academic challenges with creativity and curiosity, leading to deeper engagement and understanding of the material. Parents can rest easy knowing their children are receiving a comprehensive education while also building independence, resilience, and love for nature.
Looking for a part-time option?
Our class rhythm is the daily schedule of activities that students engage in. It is a structured routine that provides a sense of stability and familiarity for our students while also allowing for flexibility and spontaneity. The class rhythm at our school typically involves a mix of outdoor activities like hiking, exploring, and nature observation, along with time for rest, reflection, and creative pursuits like storytelling and art. We also include structured learning activities such as math, science, and language arts, which are integrated into nature-based learning opportunities. Our daily rhythm may change at any time to accommodate the needs of our teachers and students.
Our Class Rhythm
Mindful Arrival: Nature Walk, Hike into Classroom
Community Time: A time of prayer and worship, saying the pledge, singing songs around the fire, circle sharing, and preparing for the day ahead.
Numbers All Around: Math studies, both on paper and through hands-on activities.
Morning Snack
Movement Break: Nature-Based Game
Literacy Flow: A Multi-Sensory Approach to Reading and Language Arts
Forest Exploration Break
Lunch
Poetry and Writing
Growth Flow: Hands-on experiential Learning Experiences (Math, STEM, ELA, Science, History, Geography, Survival Skills.)
Creative Arts: Art/ Drama/ Handiwork/ Gardening/Cooking on the fire
Forest Exploration: Child Directed Play in the Forest
Hike Back for Parent Pickup
There’s no such thing as bad weather.
Our motto at forest school is: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Appropriate clothing for Forest School is CRITICAL to the success of the program. Clothing guidelines are available in the parent handbook. Our experienced teachers will be there to guide you every step of the way to ensure the safety of students in all weather situations. During periods of inclement weather, students will be gathered indoors, or class will be cancelled if necessary.
FAQs
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All subjects will be explored from a biblical worldview. Our academic curriculum is tried, true, and backed by science. Reading horizons provides a multi-sensory reading program promoting phonics, sequential learning, and the science of reading. Saxon math offers a comprehensive overview and ample practice of new material. IEW provides a fun, writing curriculum where children learn poetry, grammar, and creative writing. Although history, science and geography topics are often student-led, core knowledge provides the basis of our unit studies as our teachers weave in hands-on projects and activities appropriate for each grade level. Wild reading, math, and project wild provide the basis for lots of our hands-on learning projects and experiences. Our curriculum includes a mix of outdoor activities like hiking, exploring, and nature observation, along with time for rest, reflection, and creative pursuits like storytelling, and art. Our curriculum also includes structured learning activities such as math, science, and language arts, which are integrated into nature-based learning opportunities. Our curriculum can be guided by the seasons and take place in all weather conditions . Additionally, we incorporate the use of natural resources, like trees, leaves, and rocks, to allow for a deeper connection to the natural world. Overall, our curriculum is designed to support the holistic development of the child, with an emphasis on personal, social, and emotional growth alongside academic skills.
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Depending on the age group this can change, but our low-ratio classes are limited to 14 students with a ratio of at least 1:7.
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This program will meet at our private forest school site in Mokena, IL with access to our heated nature center building during inclement weather. Each of our classes has access to an outdoor shelter that’s heated in the winter, and provides a warm place to do desk work.
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1. Submit an application and fee.
2. Schedule and attend an open house after you submit an application
3. If there is space on the day(s) you requested, you will start the registration process.
4. If there is not space, you will be added to the waitlist until a spot opens up for you.
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Due to our small class sizes and large demand, new students must submit an application to enroll. There is a non-refundable $50 fee associated with the application. Once an application is submitted, applicants will be invited to tour our facility at an open house and attend a mini orientation to make sure forest school is the best fit before committing to the school year. If there is no space, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the remainder of the school year.
