The Owl's Nest Holistic Alternative School

About The Owl's Nest

A Different Way to Learn, Grow & Belong

From a dream in my agenda to a thriving learning community.

Nestled on a living, breathing organic farm in Harriston, Ontario, The Owl's Nest is a holistic alternative school where children are seen, known, and supported as unique individuals.

We believe education should nurture the whole child; not just academics, but confidence, curiosity, relationships, resilience, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our students spend their days engaged in meaningful academic learning, exploring nature, building real-world skills, developing strong relationships, and discovering who they are as learners and members of a community.

At The Owl's Nest, we combine strong educational foundations with hands-on experiences, individualized support, and a deep connection to the natural world. The result is a learning environment where children don't simply attend school—they become active participants in their own learning journey.

Whether families join us because they are seeking a different educational approach, a stronger sense of community, more individualized support, or simply a place where their child can thrive, our goal remains the same:

To create a place where children love learning, feel a sense of belonging, and develop the skills and confidence needed for an ever-changing world.

2013: Nestor, Carly & Baby Makhai make the papers for shopping in the new farm store at Reroot Farm during the Spring Rural Romp ( 7 years before they'd set roots and the vision of the school had taken place).

Our Story

Hi, I'm Carly Ogryzlo.

Long before The Owl's Nest became a school, it was simply a question I couldn't stop asking:

What if education could feel different? More human.

As an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), I spent over a decade teaching within the public school system. I loved working with children, mentoring educators, and continually learning about child development and educational best practices. Yet I found myself increasingly drawn toward approaches that honoured the whole child; approaches that viewed children as capable, curious, creative, and deeply connected to the world around them.

I became fascinated by what happens when children are given the freedom to wonder, explore, move, create, question, and connect their learning to real life.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, and nature-based education movements, I began imagining a learning environment that combined strong academics with meaningful relationships, authentic experiences, and a deep respect for childhood.

Then I became a parent.

When our son was born, our midwife introduced us to the concept of informed choice. It challenged me to look at the world differently and ask bigger questions about the systems we participate in, the choices we make, and the possibilities available to us.

That spark eventually became The Owl's Nest.

What began as a dream in 2014 grew into a home-based early development centre in 2016. I wanted to create the kind of environment I wished existed for children and families—a place where relationships mattered, where curiosity was celebrated, where children could spend their days immersed in nature, and where learning felt meaningful and connected.

Click the photo to learn more about our teachers and staff.

What started around a kitchen table with a handful of children has grown into something far beyond anything I could have imagined.

Today, The Owl's Nest is a thriving holistic alternative school serving children from preschool through Grade 8 (and some high school). We are a not-for-profit organization and a private school operating in Ontario. Our home at Reroot Organic Farm allows us to learn not only within classroom walls, but in forests, fields, gardens, a greenhouse, a yurt, along the creek, and throughout the living landscape that surrounds us.

But the growth of The Owl's Nest is not measured by enrollment numbers, buildings, or programs.

It is measured in stories.

Stories of children who once struggled to find their place and now can't wait to come to school.

Stories of families who discovered a community they didn't know they were searching for.

Stories of children who are becoming confident readers, writers, builders, creators, leaders, problem-solvers, and compassionate human beings.

One parent described The Owl's Nest as "the village that is raising my children."

Another shared that after years in traditional schooling, their daughter finally found a place where she felt she belonged.

Families tell us that their children come home "happy tired" instead of exhausted. They tell us about the friendships, confidence, curiosity, courage, and love of learning they see growing every year.

Perhaps one of my favourite reflections came from a student who was reluctant to even get out of the truck during her first visit. Years later, on her final day, she wrote:

"I'm so grateful I got out of the truck."

That is what The Owl's Nest has always been about.

Not creating a perfect school.

Creating a place where children feel safe enough to grow.

A place where they can take risks, make mistakes, build relationships, develop confidence, and discover who they are.

A place where childhood is valued.

A place where academics matter, but people matter more.

A place where children don't simply attend school...they belong.

As we continue to grow through initiatives such as Roots & Wings Foundation and our vision for future programming, our mission remains unchanged:

To nurture confident, capable, compassionate young people who love learning, feel connected to their community, and are prepared not only for the world as it exists today, but for the world they will help create tomorrow.

Welcome to The Owl's Nest.

We're so glad you found us.

Our Journey

From a dream in a planner to a thriving learning community.

It started with our children

2013

What began with a simple belief; that families deserve meaningful choices in education, grew into a vision for something different.

Inspired by informed choice in midwifery and a deep respect for childhood, I began questioning what education could look like if relationships, connection, and child development came first.

One evening, I read the reflections of a local teacher struggling with overcrowded classrooms and the feeling that too many children weren't getting the attention they deserved. Her words struck a chord. That night, I stayed up creating the first version of The Owl's Nest website and putting our vision into words.

The next morning, I shared it with my husband. With his full support, we chose a new path and The Owl's Nest was born.

We created a early development centre in our home

2016

Starting in our home with just one additional child, we created an Early Development Centre rooted in connection, curiosity, and nature. We made use of every corner of our less-than-1,000-square-foot home, transformed everyday moments into learning opportunities, and spent countless hours exploring the forest trails behind our property in Palmerston.

What began as a small home childcare quickly became something much more. Children spent their days immersed in play, discovery, creativity, relationships, and outdoor adventures. Families were looking for something different, and together we built a community centered around childhood, connection, and a love of learning.

It wasn't fancy, and it certainly wasn't a traditional classroom, but it was filled with wonder, relationships, and meaningful learning. Looking back now, it was a huge leap of faith but one of the best decisions we've ever made.

We created summer programs

July 2020

In the fall of 2018, I sketched a vision in my planner and boldly labeled it "September 2020." At the time, it felt ambitious and a little impossible, but the dream of creating a different kind of school had already taken root. By the fall of 2019, I was actively researching private schools, exploring requirements, and laying the groundwork to turn that vision into reality.

Then, in the spring of 2020, COVID-19 forced the closure of our home-based program. Rather than letting go of the dream, we adapted. We created two Farm and Forest Summer Camp programs for children ages 2.5 to 13, offering connection, adventure, and meaningful outdoor experiences during an uncertain time. What began as a response to challenging circumstances quickly became the next chapter of The Owl's Nest and reaffirmed that this vision was needed more than ever.

We started presenting and consulting

August 2020

As our programs grew, so did interest in the work we were doing. We were honoured to find that consulting, presenting, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for educators were in high demand, allowing us to support and inspire learning communities beyond The Owl's Nest.

We found our ideal location

August 2020

The overwhelming response to our Summer Camp programs confirmed what we already felt in our hearts, we needed to continue this work as a school.

So, once again, we took a leap of faith. With no permanent location secured, we released our fall schedule and trusted the process while we looked at various locations.

In August 2020, we met with Caitlin and Tony from Reroot Organic Farm. Within an hour, we had a handshake agreement, a portable classroom selected, and a vision for the future. Just weeks later, the portable was in place and, with the support of Caitlin, Tony, incredible families, and dedicated volunteers, we began transforming it into our learning space while simultaneously operating our outdoor programs as a registered private school.

We found an amazing tribe of educators

September 2020-present

On September 21st 2020, The Owl's Nest officially opened as a school. We brought together an incredible team of educators who shared our passion, values, and vision for holistic education.

Since then, we have continued to grow, welcoming student educators, expanding programs, strengthening our community, and building a sustainable team with longevity. Together, we continue to learn, evolve, and shine alongside the children and families we serve.

We Grew

2021-2023

The years between 2020 and 2023 were filled with growth, learning, and more than a few growing pains. Like many new organizations, we wore a lot of hats, asked questions we didn't even know how to formulate, made mistakes, and learned as we went. COVID created additional challenges, and there were certainly moments when the path forward wasn't clear.

We added infastructure like a greenhouse classroom and then a forest yurt classroom in the later years

But through it all, our families, students, and educators believed in the vision. For those who joined us in those early years, we are deeply grateful. We started before we felt fully ready, but together we built something meaningful. It was a challenging season but also a beautiful one.

Growing into change

2025

The farm entered a new chapter as ownership changed and the landscape around us continued to evolve. As with any period of transition, it invited us to reflect on our future, our priorities, and the spaces we are creating for children.

Rather than seeing change as a setback, we embraced it as an opportunity for growth. We began investing more intentionally in our own learning environments, infrastructure, and programming while continuing to strengthen our connection to the land and community around us.

This season also brought exciting expansions to our educational offerings. We welcomed more community partners, guest educators, agricultural experiences, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences into our programs. These additions have enriched our students' learning and further strengthened the real-world, experiential approach that has always been at the heart of The Owl's Nest.

Sometimes growth comes from creating something new. Other times, it comes from adapting to change. This chapter reminded us that both are important parts of the journey.

The Future-Continuing To Grow

People often think success is a destination; a milestone to reach or a finish line to cross. But for us, success has always been found in the journey, the learning, and the continual evolution of The Owl's Nest.

What comes next? The truth is, we don't know exactly.

Perhaps it means expanding our programs, opening a second location, creating Perch Academy (High School), strengthening our charitable initiatives through Roots & Wings Foundation, or even one day stewarding our own piece of land. Perhaps it means something we haven't yet imagined.

What we do know is that our vision remains strong.

As the needs of children, families, and our community continue to evolve, so will we. We will continue to listen, learn, adapt, and grow while staying rooted in the values that brought us here: connection, curiosity, belonging, strong academics, meaningful relationships, and a deep respect for childhood.

Because The Owl's Nest is not simply a place.

It is a community. It is a philosophy. It is a feeling.

And wherever the future leads, that feeling will continue to guide us.

Meet our Teachers and Staff

What Learning Looks Like

At The Owl's Nest, no two days look exactly the same and that's by design.

While our days are grounded in strong routines, academics, and meaningful learning experiences, we also leave room for curiosity, exploration, teachable moments, and the interests of the children in front of us.

A typical day may include literacy and mathematics instruction, nature exploration, project-based learning, executive functioning skill development, creative expression, outdoor play, community-building activities, and opportunities for students to pursue their own interests and inquiries.

Our educators intentionally weave together academics, social-emotional learning, life skills, leadership opportunities, and real-world experiences. Whether students are writing stories, building structures, caring for animals, exploring the forest, conducting science investigations, cooking, presenting ideas, or collaborating on projects, learning is connected, purposeful, and engaging.

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected, challenged, and inspired. By combining strong educational foundations with hands-on experiences and meaningful relationships, we create learning environments where children are excited to come to school and eager to continue learning.

Book a Tour Read What Parents Say

Page updated

Report abuse