5 Days: Monday-Friday 

3 Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

(or 1 or 2 Days Earth School: Tuesday/Thursday)

NOW registering for Grades 4-8 September 2024

In our full time holistic alternative primary classes, we foster and program in a way that supports and sustains the child's love for learning, their curiosity and joy for inquiry, as well as their investment in/ ownership of themselves. By creating a sense of place, a space of respect and authenticity; our students develop the devotion needed for investigations and inquiry projects. Our in house developed curriculum, parallels the foundational learning outlined in the Ontario Curriculum; bringing into light the authentic reasons and purposes for learning such foundations. Curriculum content and essential standards are framed into instructional periods with a mix of explicit instruction, spiral learning and meaningful work. Social learning, developing autonomy and independence, as well as navigating risk, conflict, failure, and problem solving opportunities are also a strong focus. 

The Forest School program provides leadership and foundational life skills to youth that is life lasting. It is a land-based experiential learning program that provides opportunities for connection to self, others and the natural world. Working with the seasonal rhythms of the creek, forest and nature, combined with sustainable farming practice; students will gain the knowledge and skills needed on their journey to becoming future stewards of the Earth.

We define Forest and Nature School as an education ethos and practice that puts nature and the child at play at the centre of learning. Children and educators build a relationship with the land through regular and repeated access to the same natural space over an extended period of time. (Child and Nature Alliance Canada, 2018). 

At The Owl's Nest, the children develop a sense of place through meaningful and authentic experiences that are inspired by their own interests and curiosities (known as emergent curriculum). This program spends 1-2 days per week in our 75+ acres of organic farm, forest and creek area, where educators support children in play directed learning, making connections to the land and investigating the biodiversity that the land has to offer.

The Owl's Nest School Program is lead by a team of educators comprised of Ontario Certified Teachers. These educators are loving, nurturing, skilled professionals with a profound love and respect of nature. This passion for nature is modelled by the educators for the children and becomes the foundation for developing a sense of stewardship among our young learners.

Some of the many varied learning opportunities on Forest School days are: working with ropes and learning knots, tool use (saws, knives, hand drills), fire building and cooking, building with natural loose parts, tracking, flora and fauna identification, shelter building, climbing (including trees), assessing risks, snow shoeing, skating, birding, puddle jumping, story telling, sit spots, expanding sensory awareness, mapping, journalling, gratitude and exploring indigenous perspectives.

*Grades 4-8 require an application inquiry, trial day and interview 

Ongoing enrolment throughout the year available

Starts in September for the full school year commitment or a 9 weeks dip your toes in option

TBD