When did you discover the Forest educational model and the STREAM-based curriculum?

Forest School is traditionally an early childhood education model rooted in outdoor, play-based learning that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a deep connection to nature. That’s how we began—serving preschool-aged children through a classic forest school approach. But when COVID hit and Bedford County Public Schools closed, families turned to us in search of something more comprehensive. I brought a proposal to our board: hire licensed teachers and build a full academic program that would maintain our outdoor learning foundation while incorporating STREAM—Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math—as a framework for interdisciplinary, real-world education.

The result exceeded our expectations. We were so successful with this approach that families from across Virginia began moving closer to us just to enroll their children. Today, we serve families from Bedford, Franklin, Roanoke, and Campbell counties—with some commuting over an hour and a half each day. What we offer isn’t just unique—it’s working. Our model continues to evolve, but the heart remains the same: learning in and from the natural world.

Absolutely. Science comes alive through vernal pond studies, soil testing, and animal tracking. Technology is explored through our computer classes, weather instruments, and nature-based problem-solving. Reading takes the form of story walks, folklore, and environmental journaling. Engineering happens when children build bridges across creeks or shelters from natural materials. Art is everywhere—leaf rubbings, natural dyes, sculpting with clay. Math is applied through measuring trees, counting mushroom species, mapping trails, and creating “recipes” in our mud kitchen during our Restaurant Wars, and more. Every STREAM subject is rooted in real-world, meaningful applications.

The benefits are profound—children develop confidence, independence, creativity, and critical thinking skills. They build stronger immune systems, engage in more physical activity, and show improved focus. Emotional regulation improves through time in nature, and the unhurried pace allows students to deepen their learning and build lasting relationships—with peers, mentors, and the land itself.

Yes, there are similarities. Both value child-led exploration and hands-on learning. However, Forest School specifically takes place outdoors in natural settings, often in all weather, and places a strong emphasis on risk-taking, ecological literacy, and long-term mentoring. Montessori tends to be more structured indoors, while Forest School is flexible and rooted in the rhythms of nature.

ONE Forest School is proud to be accredited through the American Camp Association, which holds us to rigorous standards of safety, programming, and operations. We’re also recognized internationally, having achieved the Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Program Leadership through Archimedes Training in the UK—one of the most respected global leaders in Forest School certification.

Yes, our curriculum is thoughtfully aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs). While our students learn in a nontraditional setting, we integrate core academic requirements through hands-on, experiential instruction—whether it’s exploring the food chain by tracking mammals, understanding geometry through shelter building, or applying reading comprehension through folklore and journaling.

We’re also entering an exciting new chapter: having completed five full years of running our curriculum, we are now eligible to apply for accreditation through the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). Once that process is complete, we will also be recognized by the Virginia Department of Education. It’s a major milestone that reflects both the academic rigor and long-term sustainability of our model.

Most parents want to know how their child will be supported academically, socially, and emotionally. They often ask about safety, how we manage being outside in different weather conditions, and how their child’s progress is assessed. Many are looking for an environment that honors their child’s individuality and fosters a love of learning—and they’re often relieved to find a place that truly allows kids to be kids.

Our enrollment fluctuates between 15 to 20 students during the school year, depending on age groups, programming, and scholarship availability. We intentionally keep our class sizes small to maintain a strong mentor-to-student ratio and personalized learning experience.

We’re still very much an outdoor-based school, but we’ve learned to strike a balance that works for both children and their parents. While our students spend the majority of their time learning outdoors—rain, snow, or shine—we do have a Discovery Center that serves as our inclement weather classroom on especially bitterly cold or rain-drenched days.

Interestingly, the kids have always adapted beautifully to being outside. It was often the parents who struggled with the idea! We realized that providing an indoor space for the harshest conditions helped reassure families without compromising our mission. Nature remains at the core of our program—we just allow a bit of flexibility to keep everyone happy (and dry!).

As one parent told us during pickup on a rainy afternoon: “My son was grinning from ear to ear, soaked through and covered in mud—but I was the one who needed a towel and a therapy session!” That pretty much sums it up.

Our team includes certified educators, naturalists, and trained Forest School leaders. Many of our staff hold degrees in education, environmental science, or child development—and all share a passion for outdoor learning and whole-child development. We also collaborate with guest educators from local universities, wildlife centers, and environmental organizations.

We’ve created a daily rhythm that allows each age group to thrive while still benefiting from meaningful shared experiences. In the mornings, our school-age students focus on their core academic subjects—reading, math, and writing—guided by licensed teachers. During that same time, our preschoolers engage in traditional forest school activities like nature play, early literacy, exploration, and practical life skills.

While the younger children nap in the afternoon, our older students dive into their forest school curriculum and hands-on STREAM projects. But throughout the day, we intentionally weave in shared moments—morning meetings, snack time, lunch, post-lunch play, late-afternoon Forest School craft time, and end-of-day forest play. These routines foster connection, cross-age friendships, and a strong sense of community. Everyone learns at their own level, but they grow together.

I think it’s because parents and educators are recognizing the need for something different—something that nurtures the whole child. There’s growing concern about screen time, standardized testing, and burnout. Forest Schools offer a powerful alternative: learning that is joyful, meaningful, and connected to the real world. The research supports it—and parents can see the difference in their kids.

Without a doubt. When COVID hit and Bedford County Public Schools shut down, we had families reaching out to us, desperate for a consistent, safe, and enriching learning environment for their children. That moment became a turning point for us. We transitioned from a traditional forest preschool model to a full academic program rooted in outdoor education and the STREAM framework. We hired licensed teachers and built a curriculum that could meet academic standards while still honoring our outdoor, nature-based roots.

The response was incredible. Not only did we meet the needs of local families during a crisis—we attracted families from all over the state. Many chose to move closer or commute long distances just to enroll their children. COVID didn’t just boost our visibility; it accelerated our evolution into something even more impactful and sustainable.

Yes, we’ve been proud members of the Natural Start Alliance for over five and a half years. It’s an incredible network of educators, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing nature-based early childhood education. Being part of this alliance helps us stay connected to best practices, emerging research, and a broader community that shares our passion for helping children thrive through outdoor learning.

Yes—it’s incredibly supportive for neurodiverse learners and children who don’t thrive in traditional classroom settings. The unstructured time, sensory-rich environment, and emphasis on movement, creativity, and self-direction allow all children to shine—especially those who may struggle with the rigidity of conventional education.

In our earlier years, we explored offering programming through 8th grade, but due to low demand in the upper grades and our desire to remain responsive to community needs, we’ve since refined our focus exclusively on elementary-aged learners. This allows us to go deeper, not broader—offering a robust, seasonal, place-based curriculum that integrates traditional academics like reading and math with immersive environmental education.

Our Forest School curriculum follows a 36-week arc aligned with Virginia’s natural cycles and features weekly themes in phenology, dendrology, botany, mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, entomology, geology, humanities, and practical skills. For example, a week focused on early spring might include animal tracking, stories from Native American cultures, tree reproduction, frog migrations, and the role of endangered plants in our ecosystem. This approach fosters not only academic understanding but ecological literacy, emotional intelligence, and a deep connection to place—all grounded in Virginia’s Standards of Learning.

At ONE Forest School, we believe that a quality education rooted in nature and community should be accessible to all families—regardless of income. While the average private school tuition in Virginia ranges between $15,000 and $18,000 per year, we intentionally keep our costs far below that. Our outdoor learning model has significantly lower overhead than a traditional school, which allows us to pass those savings on to families.

We use a sliding scale tuition structure based on household income, with annual tuition ranging from $3,240 to $8,100. For example, a family earning $80,000 per year would typically fall into our top bracket and pay the full tuition of $8,100—still well below the state average. Families with lower incomes receive meaningful discounts of up to 60%, and our admissions office works closely with each family to ensure that tuition aligns with their financial circumstances.

We’ve designed this model to reflect our core belief: that nature-based, high-quality education should not be a luxury—it should be an option for every child.

Yes—our nonprofit status allows us to subsidize tuition through grants, donations, and fundraising efforts. Our 501(c)(3) designation helps keep tuition on a sliding scale, making it more accessible to families who might otherwise be unable to afford private education.

That said, we’re a small organization with a big heart and a limited budget. It’s getting harder to find consistent funding, and there are times—more than we’d like to admit—when my staff and I forgo pay to keep the doors open and the programs running. We do it because we believe in what we’re building here: an educational model that puts children, nature, and community first.

But we can’t do it alone. Every donor, sponsor, and supporter plays a crucial role in helping us keep this dream alive—and we’re always looking to grow that circle of support.

We’re fortunate to have a growing network of supporters—from local businesses and community foundations to individual donors who believe in our vision. Some support specific programs like summer camp or scholarships, while others give general operating funds. We’re deeply grateful for all of them—and always happy to welcome new champions of nature-based learning.

I was inspired by a growing sense that something had to change. We were seeing more violence in schools and workplaces, a rise in the opioid epidemic, and heartbreaking increases in teen suicide. As a mother of 8, grandmother to 17, and now a great-grandmother, I couldn’t just stand by and hope things would get better. I felt called to do something—to create a space where children could reconnect with nature, with themselves, and with one another.

So I did. I founded ONE Forest School as a place where education could be healing, not just academic; where curiosity could thrive without pressure; and where children could grow up grounded, resilient, and full of wonder. This school is my way of planting seeds for a better future—one child, one forest, one day at a time.

The impact is profound. We see increased emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and better problem-solving skills in children who spend time outdoors. Nature encourages collaboration, resilience, and self-discovery in ways a traditional classroom simply can’t. Whether it’s working together to build a shelter or learning to navigate muddy trails, students naturally develop grit, empathy, and self-confidence.

Many parents tell us their children are calmer, happier, and more self-aware after spending time at OFS. And the best proof? Most of our students don’t want to leave at the end of the day. It’s not uncommon for kids to cry when they see their parents pull in for pickup—and some parents even hang around for an extra hour or more just to avoid the battle of getting them to go home. It’s funny to watch, and honestly, it’s one of our favorite compliments. These kids beg to come to school every morning—and that’s something you don’t often hear in a traditional setting.

We use a combination of observational assessments, portfolios, and project-based evaluations. Our licensed teachers ensure alignment with Virginia’s Standards of Learning, but we don’t rely on standardized testing. Instead, we focus on growth, mastery, and individual development. Students demonstrate their understanding through hands-on projects, storytelling, journaling, and peer teaching. It’s a more holistic view of learning—one that honors different learning styles and paces.

Safety is a top priority. We are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which means we meet rigorous standards for risk management, staffing, and emergency preparedness. Our educators are CPR/First Aid certified, and we conduct daily risk assessments, weather checks, and equipment inspections. Children are taught how to safely use tools, identify potential hazards, and navigate the natural environment with confidence and care.

We have big dreams. We’d love to expand our preserve, build a permanent nature-based visitor center, and continue developing partnerships with conservation organizations, universities, and scientists. We’re also piloting innovative sustainability initiatives—like agrovoltaics and data-center education hubs—that could serve as models for other schools and communities. Ultimately, our goal is to be a lighthouse of what’s possible in education: rooted in nature, powered by purpose, and accessible to all.

We’re always looking to grow our circle of supporters. Community members can help by volunteering, sponsoring scholarships, donating supplies, or even attending our public events and seasonal celebrations. Local businesses can become corporate sponsors, and families can spread the word about what we’re doing here. Every act of support helps us keep tuition affordable, staff our programs, and deepen our impact.