School Life

Democratic Principle

We believe in letting the students share in the decision making at our school. During our weekly meeting we may brainstorm and vote for a new theme, set new rules for the school, process a complaint written against a student or staff, or decide on the budget set for a field trip, party or new equipment. Our students recieve power, listening skills, processing tools and communication practice.

Science

Spending time outside will pique students’ natural curiosity. Along with exploring the greater Whatcom County and it’s diverse natural world, our Outdoor Learning Site provides your child with a place of their own to feel free and familiar in nature. Scientific concepts will be practiced through pond studies, our native species trail, picking fruit, gardening, or just climbing one of our trees and rope bridge. Understanding local ecology and our human place within it will help each student develop their own sense of place.

Art

Students will have the supplies and support to express their ideas, knowledge, emotions and curiosities through art! The art studio is always open, and will provide a place to be messy, creative and practice respect for simple tools.

Field Trips

Students are on the move! We believe learning happens best through personal experience and community connections. Be it the library, senior center, plays, university, farms or parks, these trips are the beginning to a better understanding of this big big world.

Independent Study Projects

This individual, non age-based learning process provides for greater subject depth and understanding of learning styles. We offer appropriate tools for investigation, documentation, and presentation during each project. Each child is empowered wtih this process based approach and the growth noted in their presentation & listening skills is astounding!

Individualized and Emergent

Our committment to self-awareness and Learning Style identification is what makes us a very unique learning community. Each student will become familiar with Multiple Intelligences at Experiencial Learning Centers. They will learn to recognize and utilize this tool to create learning strategies that work for them! Students choose the themes that inspire our curriculum & end each theme with a day of peer teaching and family presentations. All students are given a multi-week baseline of knoweledge in the subject, then study deeper into their personal interests through Independant Study Projects.

Physical Education and Team Development

Students will activate their brain and body first thing in ATB (awareness through the body). Our unique blend of brain gym, moving stories, yoga, group challenges and song connects their brain and body before other learning begins. Practicing cooperation, problem solving skills, trust, leadership, and self-reliance builds strong individuals within a strong group.