Since 2019, River Valley Nature School has been providing progressive education grounded in practices known to foster academic success, social and emotional development, a strong sense of self and community, and a life-long love of learning.
Children spend time indoors and outdoors engaged in their learning communities. Nature enhances education at River Valley: inspiring awe and curiosity, offering infinite materials and learning opportunities, providing space to fulfill the physical and emotional needs of students, and fostering a connection to the world around us.
We provide individualized education to students in grades K-8, as well as play-based programming for 3-4 year olds in our Nature Explorers program. We add a new grade each year to grow along with our current students, expanding through eighth grade in 2024-2025. We are currently developing our middle school program. Join us and help design the ideal middle school!
River Valley Nature School is a non-public school affiliated with Woodnote Fellowship. A central component of education at River Valley Nature School is to teach the beliefs of Woodnote Fellowship:
That one's truest spiritual, religious, or existential experience comes through an individual relationship with nature.
That the Earth is sacred.
That we are all stewards of the natural Earth, from which we are inseparable.
To facilitate a connection with nature, children spend time outside every day. We utilize the pockets of nature surrounding the 16th street schoolhouse and students spend two or more days a week exploring the woods of Catbird Farm. Additionally, the natural world is a central focus of our curriculum.