Purpose and Principles

“Natural Learning”

Tapping into the natural drive to learn through play, our foundational principles are based on trust.

We trust that God knew what He was doing when He created each child to learn naturally through play, and grow through innate phases of development. We trust the child will learn academics when their brain and body are ready for it.

A learning environment that facilitates opportunities with open-ended materials, in addition to time-tested learning materials offers success through Natural Learning.

Learning to live the “Fruits of the Spirit”

Listing the Fruits of the Spirit is one thing, But living them out takes practice and guidance. Learning to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5) requires an environment that fosters those skills and speaks about them openly. Confinement squelches opportunities to practice and refine these skills! Given a space and time to learn to live out social skills, the children are capable!

“Invitations to Learn”

Children ages 3-9 are encouraged but not required to participate in teacher-led activities and challenges each day. Academic learning is truly successful when it occurs with the “whole child” making the choice. A strong work ethic can only be grown when a child learns to choose.

Children ages 9-12, and 12-18 are ready for focused academics, especially if they have spent the first part of childhood building their work ethic.

Parents often fear their child will not learn unless the child is forced. It takes trust to break free of this mindset! Your child will thank you for it, one day.

A Cure For “Nature-Deficit Disorder”

Time in nature is important for everyone’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Getting unplugged and re-grounded is necessary in today’s over stimulated air space.

Learn more about Nature Deficit Disorder here.

An Intentional Pace

Keeping in mind the “why’ of each day helps navigate through a busy world of unrealistic expectations. Choosing to be present in the moment and enjoying the blessings are the foundation of our daily pace. Keeping class sizes small will ensure all children receive one-on-one guidance from a teacher, while also providing the social aspect of having school friends.

Weekly Rhythms

Like creation and nature, life moves through seasons. The school is open all year, including summers, with small seasonal breaks. Our curriculum will focus more on the “heart” aspects of the Bible, such as learning how to be kind to one another. Daily “invitations to learn” rotate on a weekly basis.

Mondays: Homestead Kitchen.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Wilderness Warriors (bushcraft, agility exercises, exploring nature).

Wednesdays and Fridays: Montessori School Days.

Discipline that Guides

I utilize the TBRI (trust based relational intervention) method for guidance and discipline. This method puts into practice 1Corinthians 13:4-8 (Love is patient, love is kind…) It is important to partner with families with clear communication and support. Parents are viewed as the child’s primary educator.

Learn more about TBRI here.

Building Confidence and Gratitude

Reverence for “daily bread” received can’t be taught by a screen. The present generations must be intentional in cultivating stewardship that occurs within confidence and gratitude. Open-ended play is the time tested foundation for building confidence, risk assessment, and problem solving skills that the next generation of leaders needs.