Community (city + farm) + Forest

• Location

  • Earthstar Campus: Mon-Wed

  • Downtown Campus: Thurs

• Time: 8:30 - 3:30

• Ages: 4* - 6

  *4 Year Olds (Must be 5 by 1/1 of the school year and approved to enter this program from our specialized staff)

Our Kindergartners are also known as our “Owls.” Sharing a campus with the preschooler Cubs encourages Owls to develop a deeper responsibility and leadership role at Earthstar Farm. Three days a week, rain, snow, and sunshine our kiddos are outside building a relationship with the land through the lens of Forest School Kindergarten curriculum.

Owls spend Thursdays at our downtown Whitefish campus, allowing them to build familiarity with the community and ease the transition into primary grade learning environments.

Our experienced educators guide children in mindfulness practices and techniques that help them manage their feelings, make decisions, and develop problem-solving skills that are vital for future success. Our curriculum is designed to support kindergartners in their first foray into primary school, a journey of discovery, curiosity, and growth in harmony with both the natural world and their broader community. 

Unique to the Forest School Model, hands-on activities and nature-based lessons provide children a tactile way to explore the world around them. We embed academic concepts directly into experiential learning. The forest and farm setting provides a nurturing environment for children to express themselves freely, boosting their self-esteem and confidence, including positive risk-taking, agency, and resiliency.

Curriculum

Our daily classroom (the yurt, campfire, greenhouse, downtown campus or shady woodlands) sets up a successful environment for:

• Incorporating the math, science of reading/early phonics and literacy skill with a blend of structured and experiential learning styles.

• Introducing our map making and nature journaling curriculum to establish spatial awareness and place-based learning.

• Developing rich language and vocabulary expansion within the contexts of wild ecosystems and community building.

• Creating competent roles and sharing imagination through collaborative work. With experienced guidance, shared imagination is a core pillar of executive functioning, perspective taking, and building empathy.

Our Forest School takes pride in its strong connection to the local Montana environment. We integrate the rich cultural heritage and diverse ecosystems of Montana into our curriculum, providing children with an understanding of their place in the world and fostering a deep appreciation for their surroundings.