Northwoods forest school

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (4-Day) Forest School Enrichment Program

Ages 6-12Y, Forest School

This youth (plane 2) forest school program is offered to families who are interested in an addition to their home education pursuits. If you are a homeschool family exploring something more social for your student or deciding a smaller class is a better fit for your student, this program is a creative, student-led academic forest school that works for any family. The program is based on the academic principles of Waldorf/Montessori/Classical/Forest School method, and is not "grade" focused so your student will start wherever they are at!

For more in-depth look at what Northwoods has to offer, please visit Northwoods Academics page.

Extended Hour Option // Sunsetters// After-school Mindfulness Program

Ages 6-12Y

The Sunsetters program is for families that need that extended timeframe to work for pick-up or want their children to have additional nature opportunities after the traditional school hour. The program will focus more on outdoor skills and reflection. Sunsetters is from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Tuition is adjusted for this extended program - more info about Sunsetters can be found HERE.

When the enrollment is full, if you would like to be put on the Waitlist, please visit our In-Que page.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (4-Day) Upper Classman Forest School

Ages 13-17Y, Forest High School

This upper-youth (plane 3) enrichment program is offered to families with older students who need less foundational guidance but will benefit from the inclusion of these student-led forest school style to round-out their academics. This program, like the early-youth program, is a structured, creative, student-led, forest school program based on the principles of Waldorf/Montessori/Classical/Forest School methods. There is offered academic guidance, independence reassurance, practical life-skill tasks as well as enrichment in art and nature opportunities.

For more in-depth look at what Northwoods Secondary has to offer, please visit NWFS (Upper Classman Academics) page.

We offer a Waldorf/Montessori/Classical-based curricula with a Forest School focus, we are a full service choice to fulfilling all home-based education requirements- and keep your student on track for their future! This program resembles a loose schedule of academic structure with the balance of student-led interests as well as ample time outdoors to connect with nature.

This age bracket benefits from the proven positive emotional-heath effects of nature-based learning as well as the option to complete post-secondary academics to further them in any direction they would dream to go!

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Plane 2 Daily Rhythm

We try to apply directional teaching, so our routine is set to the most productive hours as possible.

Example Schedule:

(8:15-8:30 am Arrivals)

8:30 a.m. : Opening the day / Checking-in

9:00 a.m. - 10: a.m.: Presentation / Inspiration

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. : Snack & Recuperation (Outdoors/weather permitting)

11:00 a.m. -12:00 pm : Arts & Projects (Math & Science) (Outdoors/weather permitting)

12:30-1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00-1:30 pm: Journaling (Humanities & Language)

1:30-3:00 pm: Outdoor Session (weather permitting) & Snack

3:00-3:30 pm: Closing Connection (Outdoor/weather permitting)

Pick-up 3:30 to 3:40 pm

After-School

3:30-4:00pm: Snack & Sit-Spot

4:00 - 5:00 pm After School Sunsetters Program / Creative Arts

Pick-up 5:00-5:15 pm

Student Size: 9

Plane 3 Daily Rhythm

Example Schedule:

(8:15-8:30 am Arrivals)

8:30 a.m. : Opening the day / Checking-in (Outdoor*)(Outdoors/weather permitting)

9:00 a.m. : Presentation / Inspiration

9:30-11:30 p.m. : Journaling/Language Arts/Math (Waldorf/Montessori/Classical/Traditional)

11:30-12:00 p.m. : Health/ Wellness/ Physical Education (Outdoors/weather permitting)

12:00-12:30 p.m.: Lunch (Indoor/Outdoor)(Outdoors/weather permitting)

12:30-1:00 p.m. : Journaling/Humanities

1:00-3:00 p.m.: Outdoor Session & Snack

3:00-3:30 p.m.: Closing Connection (Outdoors/weather permitting)

Pick-up 3:30 to 3:40 p.m.

After-School

3:30-4:00 p.m.: Snack & Sit-Spot

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.: After School Sunsetters Program / Creative Arts (Outdoors/weather permitting)

Pick-up 5:00-5:15 p.m

Student Size: 6

Tuition

Available spots
for 6-12y:

7

Updated 4/23/2023

Available spots
for 13-17y:

6

Updated 4/23/2023

What to expect

Here at Northwoods, we offer an integrated curriculum.

With the spine of Waldorf, we add in practical tasks of Montessori, then apply nature-based guidance and classical/traditional academic support.

We give preference to families registering for two days or more per week, this helps us build a strong school community.

After your application is accepted and your registration fee is received, and your student is successfully registered for the year, they will receive:

Assigned personal locker

School Tshirt

School Snack Bag

MN Wildife & MN Plantlife Books

Safety Kit (mini-first aid, whistle, natural insect repellent, etc)

Please make sure your child has the appropriate weather gear (a weather walk-through will accompany your registration packet), this is to keep them comfortable in all weather types. Your child will be able to use school rainjacket, rainpants and waterproof mittens; these are school "property". If lost or damaged- a replacement cost will be added to monthly invoice.

For the school supplies shopping list, click HERE

Our Curriculum Foundation

Core attributes of our programs style:

Waldorf = rhythm (routine), learning blocks, natural-based arts and creative opportunities
Montessori = age brackets (planes), 3-freedoms (movement, choice, repetition), purposeful work, prepared environment, space & order
Nature-Based= Directional teaching occurring outdoors, or with outdoor materials
Forest School = respect for students abilities, daily (weather permitting) outdoor hands-on learning to build confidence and self-esteem
Classical & Traditional = Classical elements are utilized through novels applicable to our learning blocks, based on students reading level. The traditional elements are in the areas of Math and Language workbooks, these are utilized for independent academics to keep educational pursuits accountable to state standards.

Outcomes for your student:

A full spectrum of academics, nature connection, self-discipline (completing tasks), inner discipline (development of will/choice), creativity/art development, social development, community development, gratitude and mindfulness.
Yearly national testing requirements fulfilled

N o t e t o f a m i l i e s

We are a non-religious option that offers part-time scheduling so that the family is a strong main-component to their childs learning adventure.

Although we are a non-religious organization, we support and respect all families spiritual beliefs. For those concerned with spiritual topics, our curriculum will speak on myths, Biblical characters, indigenous peoples, and other spiritual topics as they are referenced in our coursework.

Our Mission

Northwoods is a hybrid educational enrichment forest school offered to local families of central lakes Mn.

Our academic guidance foundations are based on Waldorf inspiration, blended into Montessori-methods, with the added health benefits of Forest School methods. We apply some classical (book-based) and traditional elements (workbook) to keep abreast of national standards to not limit your students choices once their time at Northwoods ends.

Our mission is to bring a student-directed program to the lakes area that fosters creative thinking, academic guidance, artistic development, and connection with nature. Guiding the student to develop healthy emotional resilience, confidence and inner strength, Northwoods offers encouragement to the students' learning by treating the student as a whole-worthwhile individual on their way to independence.