School & Nature RVA
A different kind of school.
Where nature, academics, and life skills grow together
Rethinking how children learn, with community at its core
As parents, we believe education should be more aligned with how children truly learn.
The way teaching is approached, and the connection to the outdoor environment, play a central role in helping children grow with balance, confidence, and curiosity.
We also believe that children benefit deeply when families and educators stay connected—creating a shared, supportive environment around them.
Our 15 Pillars
1- Mathematics & Applied Logic : Measurement, estimation, applied problem-solving in real environments.
2- Literacy & Communication : Reading, writing, storytelling, persuasive and reflective communication.
3- Geography, Earth Systems & Science : Mapping, ecosystems, weather systems, land awareness, Biology, ecology, experimentation, observation.
4- Nature & Survival Skills : Shelter building, fire safety, navigation, resilience skills.
5- Practical Life & Responsibility : Tool care, food preparation, organization, stewardship tasks, Farm, Garden
6- Financial Literacy & Systems Thinking : Budgeting, markets, cost analysis, value creation.
7- Emotional Intelligence & Self-Regulation : Conflict resolution, emotional awareness, resilience.
8- Community & Leadership Development : Mentorship, collaboration, responsibility roles.
9 - Physical Movement & Strength : Coordination, endurance, balance, functional strength.
10- Art & Creative Expression : Drawing, natural art, design, creative communication.
11- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving : Hypothesis formation, reasoning, analysis.
12- Stewardship & Ethics : Sustainability, responsibility toward land and community.
13- Innovation & Design : Engineering thinking, building, prototyping solutions.
14- Mindfulness & Self-Development : Reflection, journaling, gratitude, awareness.
15 : Languages and cultures : Language exposure, conversation, cultural discovery, communication
Our Curriculum
Seasonal themes
Our curriculum follows the natural rhythm of the year, with each season bringing a wide range of themes directly connected to the environment and real life.
These themes evolve throughout the months, allowing children to explore the same environment from multiple perspectives over time. Here are some examples through the seasons :
❄️ Winter – Survival, Observation & Adaptation : Animal tracking, bird identification, winter trees, and shelter building.
Children study cold-weather adaptation, ice formation, and early environmental systems while developing observation, navigation, and resilience skills.
🌱 Spring – Growth, Soil & Living Systems : Soil exploration, seed germination, plant growth, pollinators, and biodiversity.
Children study ecosystems, life cycles, and environmental interactions through gardening, experiments, and direct observation.
☀️ Summer – Ecosystems, Water & Interconnection : Forest ecology, ponds and wetlands, wildlife habitats, and water systems. Children explore food webs, aquatic life, and ecosystem relationships while engaging in sustained outdoor activity and real-life applications.
🍂 Fall – Harvest, Cycles & Transformation : Harvesting, food systems, decomposition, fungi, and seasonal change.
Children study cycles of production, regeneration, and environmental change, while reflecting on and applying what they have learned.
Learning through the 15 pillars
Each seasonal theme is explored through our 15 learning pillars, allowing children to develop multiple skills within a single, coherent experience.
Rather than separating subjects throughout the day, learning is connected. A single theme naturally integrates mathematics, literacy, science, physical movement, practical life, and personal development.
This creates a smoother, more meaningful learning experience, where children understand the connections between what they are learning and can apply it in real situations.
Movement and personal development are part of this structure. Children learn through their bodies—building strength, coordination, and focus—while also developing emotional regulation, collaboration, responsibility, and confidence.
This integrated approach supports both academic depth and personal growth, while maintaining clarity and intention throughout the day.
Example across ages
A single theme is explored differently depending on the child’s age, allowing for progression while maintaining a shared experience.
For example, during a theme on soil, plants, and garden systems:
• Younger children (3–5) explore through play and sensory experiences—digging in soil, planting seeds, observing worms, and describing what they see.
• Older children (6–9) go further—analyzing soil composition, measuring plant growth, conducting germination experiments, recording data, and writing structured observations.
Within this same theme, multiple pillars are naturally developed:
• Mathematics & Applied Logic: measuring plant growth, spacing crops, and exploring geometry through garden layout, shapes, and area
• Financial Literacy & Systems Thinking: planning a small market—estimating harvest, setting prices, understanding cost and value
• Literacy & Communication: writing observations, explaining results, presenting ideas
• Science & Natural Systems: understanding soil, ecosystems, and plant development
• Physical Development: digging, carrying, building, working with tools
• Personal Development: developing patience, responsibility, focus, and confidence through real tasks
This creates continuity across ages, while ensuring that each child is challenged at the right level and understands how what they learn connects to real life.
Our Story
School & Nature was built by parents—for our children.
It started with a shared conviction: children deserve more than a system that asks them to sit, disconnect from the real world, and adapt to a rigid structure.
We believe in an education that respects how children truly grow—through movement, nature, meaningful experiences, and strong relationships. We believe in building both the mind and the person: academics, practical life skills, emotional intelligence, and confidence. And we believe that families should not be separated from this process, but part of it.
In 2024, we came together as a group of parents to create this environment ourselves. We hired educators, organized outdoor classes in Richmond parks, and began with just two children. By the end of the year, we had grown into three full classrooms, from early childhood to elementary. What emerged was more than a program—it was a community that children and parents deeply valued.
By the end of the 2024–2025 school year, we had learned a great deal. We saw what worked, and what needed to be strengthened to bring more depth, more structure, and long-term stability.
We made the intentional decision to pause for the 2025–2026 school year to build it properly: to secure our own land, create a dedicated campus, and design a program that is fully aligned with the vision we share.
Today, we move forward with clarity and purpose. We are building a place where children can grow strong, capable, and connected—to themselves, to others, and to the world around them.
We are excited to open our campus for the 2026–2027 school year and to welcome families who share this vision for their children’s present and future.
This is more than a school. It is a place where families come together, and where children are given the space to truly grow.
A place where they can move, explore, and learn with joy—while feeling safe, supported, and understood.
As parents, we wanted our children to experience more than a traditional education. We wanted them to feel confident, balanced, and connected—to themselves, to others, and to the world around them.
Together with our educators, we are creating that environment—one built on care, intention, and strong relationships.
By returning to what truly matters, we are building more than a school. We are creating a place where childhood is valued, where families belong, and where a meaningful future begins.