The Beginning
Our family immigrated to the US in 2010 from Europe. We struggled to find a school that was a good fit for our son. After enrolling in multiple private schools over 6 years, we found that some schools only focused on academics at the expense of the outdoors, mental health, creativity, social and emotional learning, while others had the opposite and lacked any academic focus whatsoever. Some schools had stifling discipline while others lacked any discipline at all.
We needed to create a school that had the right balance of academia and nature, discipline and freedom. Somewhere that honored and engaged the whole child at every stage of their development.
We found the perfect property to facilitate our concept. Nestled away on 4 idyllic acres in Fairview, TX the grounds comprise of mature native trees, a small orchard, our very own organic vegetable patch (the whole property has been pesticide-free for 40 years) and a safe outdoor space for children to explore, run, climb, jump and build.
We brought together a fantastic team of experienced guides who are dedicated to the children they serve.
Our Philosophy:
Our philosophy is simple. Respect children and their emotions, listen to them, engage them, embolden them. We support every child to reach their full potential in all facets of their life, and encourage them to become the moral leaders of the future
Respect is a big deal to us. All too often unrealistic expectations are put upon our children. In our culture it is completely unacceptable for them to misbehave or display a negative emotion. Although for us as adults we can verbalize what we feel to unload an experience which has upset us. All of us want to be heard, why don’t we extend the same courtesy to our children?
Children have been pushed beyond their limits, the joy and simplicity of childhood has been replaced with baby sitting electronics and the need to outdo our peers academically. The pressure to compete, exceed and to stand victorious, has become the recipe for an unhappy childhood. Our philosophy is to enable and encourage the child’s natural curiosity and thought process. We believe it is a disservice to the students to endure memorized repetition. Allow them the space and time to think, really think. We believe that there is no greater gift than to enable the child to find the confidence within themselves to figure things out. We consider the whole child, and all the facets that make them the unique individual they are. .
Below are some of the techniques we use to connect more deeply with our students and enhance their learning experience:
Inquiry based learning: Ask, Investigate, Create, Discuss, Reflect
Expeditionary learning: Critical thinking, problem solving, listening speaking, research
Experimental learning: don’t just talk about it, do it. The goal is to develop knowledge and skill through practical experience
Free play: social and emotional interaction, develop creativity, imagination, dexterity, fine and gross motor skills, to build confidence, work in groups, share, conflict resolution, decision making and have FUN
Game Based learning: collaboration, communication and teamwork. Improving brain function, building an emotional connection to learning and subject matter
Direct Instruction: introducing ideas and assistance as needed
Personalized learning: focusing on strengths to build confidence in one’s capabilities. Work in groups and individually