We value learning in the nature and will prioritize outdoor learning, rain or shine. We will take many field trips or travel around our area to start our school day outdoors. Being outdoors is not just to bring us joy, but just being in nature and having this kind of stimulating sensory environment, leads to regulated bodies and minds that are ready for learning.

We also believe that its best and most impactful when we can go to the places we are learning about. Hands on learning and experiences can be found all around us at the ocean or in our parks and forests.

Our Outdoor Space

Not only are we a short walk to Oak Street and other parks, but our school’s home base has a fair-sized fenced-in yard with outdoor learning and play spaces. We have utilized “Caves, Campfires, and Watering Holes” theory to design our outdoor and indoor spaces to be stimulating and appealing to young minds.

Our outdoor learning areas include metaphorical “campfires” such as a covered group learning area with seating and a white board, a learning circle of benches, and a theater where students can be creative or demonstrate what they have learned to their peers. The play areas function as “watering holes” and include open space for running around, climbing structures and swings for active play, and many creative tools and toys for building or pretend play. And throughout these spaces are “caves”, spaces that students can go to calm down, regulate, or reflect on their own- whether it be in a playhouse or a hammock.

Our Indoor Space

Maker Space

Our maker space room functions as an art room or a place to create or solve problems together. Students who like a stimulating environment can do individual work side by side in this room.

Calm Space/ Library

This regulation space is a great place for kids to go and learn about their feelings and explore their own sensory regulation needs. There is space for them to do quiet, individual work or fidgets and a swing to support their sensory needs. Sometimes children can feel overwhelmed in a group setting and need time to step away.

We believe that students are doing their best at all times. Our hope is that through exploration of the tools in this room, and throuhgout the school, students will learn to listen to their bodies signals and learn to proactively take care of their needs and learn what resources and supports work best for them.

Open Play Area

Our open play area is curated to provide a variety of environments to spark joy and learning. Social emotional skills can be developed through dramatic play, creating music together, or even doing puzzles. Our small world and dramatic play areas can be changed to reflect the learning units the students are working on. During climate exploration for example, the small world play area can have different weather events or scenes in each cubby or “doll house” room. The dramatic play area can be transformed into a weather station and the children can pretend to be meteorologists, weather chasers, or be weather presenters on the news.

Our open play area has space for active play indoors as well. There is crash pads, a sensory swing, things to climb and jump off of.