The Native School is a place-based program that serves Preschool, Elementary, and Independent Schooling Families. We draw inspiration from both the Scandinavian Forest School model and Reggio Emilia teaching practices. Our educational philosophy emphasizes both inquiry and exploration, which allows students critical thinking skills to bloom within the rich context of the great outdoors.

 

Our teaching team of passionate Professional Educators is supervised by a team of Master Degreed Mentors. Preschool educators meet or exceed the standards to teach in the State of California. All school aged instruction is led by K-8 Credentialed or Masters Degreed Educators, with comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Literacy training-the top tier for multi-sensory literacy instruction. 

 

As passionate advocates for play and student-led discovery, our teachers facilitate a developmentally appropriate education in alignment with California State Standards. Once school age, students receive intentional explicit instruction with an abundance of skill application practice through play and exploration; math, language, literacy, science, indigenous studies, and social-emotional learning.

 

For well over a decade, The Native School has supported multiple generations of families by providing students the context for risky play, facilitating emergent and full-sensory learning experiences, and fostered the development of a sturdy sense of self. Strong academic skills are built naturally, without forced compliance, and students leave The Native School confident about their abilities with a love for the learning process itself.