What We Offer
Acorns classroom
Kindergarten is an exciting milestone for every child. We strive to make this transition to school learning a positive experience. The Acorns room is for children aged 3.8 to 6 years old where the focus is on vigorous, outdoor, play based learning and social emotional growth. We foster curiosity, acceptance and community. We investigate many topics based on individual interests with a focus on STEM, the Arts and Physical Education. We also introduce the foundations of learning with French, language literacy and math. Children alternate between short focused curriculum learning sessions and hands on exploration. They regularly spend half of their day outdoors and in the forest with very minimal exposure to screens. We have a great time playing together each and every day and make friendships that truly last for years.
Saplings classroom
The Saplings is our mixed level primary aged group. In this close knit group we schedule more focused learning in academic subjects such as math, literacy, science, social studies, core French, the arts and physical education, keeping in line with the Ontario curriculum.
Each child works at their own pace through lessons tailored to their individual level and interests. With a very low student to teacher ratio we are able to get to know students personally and figure out where they are at in each subject and what motivates and excites them about learning.
We combine learning groups based on their level of comfort with a subject rather than their numerical age, with a sensitivity to their self-esteem if they are behind the average grade level. Regardless of their academic level, they won’t feel alone or “less than” in our inclusive classroom.
We only have one or two classrooms (based on annual enrolment) so we don’t simply move kids to the next grade level before they have mastered the curriculum material. We have mostly the same students and teachers every year so we can really get to know and trust each other and see the progress in our kids year after year. We feel more like a little family homeschooling together than a large, noisy classroom. Even our learning environment feels like home with comfortable couches, reading nooks and spaces to relax, and no overstimulating lights and sounds. If the mood strikes, we take the learning into the forest!
We consistently spend about half of our day in outdoor exploration (no matter the weather) but can be flexible with our schedules so we always have the time to meet the needs of our students regardless of any unique challenges or exceptionalities.
What Sets Us Apart
With our low student to teacher ratios, we are able to build close relationships and have the time to figure out what makes each student tick. We work closely with families and invite them into our class as experts in their children’s needs and learning styles.
We go on frequent field trips to enrich student learning and we get involved in the larger community. In recent years we have gone on guided hikes in the Laurier Woods, many theatre and musical performances at the Capitol Centre, visits to the North Bay Museum, bike-path clean ups with Clean, Green Beautiful North Bay, and more! We are fostering global citizens, with self esteem, self regulation and responsible land stewardship.
We strive to make this unique private schooling opportunity available to all children regardless of family circumstances. We offer bursaries to people in need of them.
Our Prices
Daily tuition for one child. Part time is billed by the days that you choose and full time is 5x the daily fee per week billed monthly.
Licensed childcare before school care from 7:30am to 9am. Then again from 3—5:30pm
Let’s Work Together
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