Founded in downtown Whitefish in 2022, The Skola grew from a simple but important question: what happens when children outgrow a learning environment that is working beautifully for them?

That question emerged as families at Foxtail Förskola, a Scandinavian-inspired forest preschool founded in 2018 by Kayla Nickells, began looking ahead to the primary years. Children were thriving, and parents wanted more than a traditional next step. They wanted a school that continued to honor curiosity, movement, strong relationships, and learning grounded in the real world.

In conversations with Brittney Crest, Brooke Ober, and Patty Johnson, Kayla began imagining how this philosophy might extend beyond early childhood. Around a coffee shop table in the Flathead Valley, the four founders asked a simple but powerful question: What can a school be? They envisioned a learning environment where strong academics, social-emotional development, community connection, and time outdoors were not separate priorities, but deeply intertwined.

From that shared vision, The Skola was created. Drawing from the foundation laid by Foxtail Förskola, the founders worked collaboratively to design a program for primary-aged children that honors childhood while building essential academic and life skills. Foxtail Förskola ultimately became part of The Skola as its preschool program, creating a cohesive learning continuum.

Place-based and project-based learning were central to this work from the beginning. A downtown presence allowed students to engage with local businesses and civic systems, while daily access to nearby natural spaces made outdoor learning an integral part of the school day. As the school continued to grow, the addition of a 10-acre forested campus in Whitefish brought all programs and grade levels together, allowing The Skola to function as a single, cohesive school rooted in both community and nature.

With the trust and support of the community, The Skola opened its inaugural year in the fall of 2022 serving 15 families. By 2026, The Skola serves more than 90 families, growing into a thriving K–4 learning community grounded in place, purpose, and the belief that education can be both deeply human and deeply connected to the world around us.