Program Description

We are inspired by Steiner, Montessori and Reggio. We love the practice of multi-age classrooms. And firmly believe in the power of play and imagination. We want to raise up the next generation of environmental scientists, biologists, farmers and gardeners, artists and dreamers, kind and passionate community members and land stewards.

We have created a curriculum unique to Goldfinch that uses VA standards as a foundation, with nature being the thread we weave through all our teachings, and a heavy focus on Environmental Science. We utilize project-based learning and mastery of subject over standard testing. And we leave plenty of room for playing, adventure, and exploring our natural surroundings.

2024- 2025 Program Schedules:

Monday 9:30 - 12:30 Elective Courses | Spanish, STEAM, Gardening, etc

Monday 12:30 - 3:30 Lunch + Outdoor Enrichment

Tuesday 9:30 - 12:30 Core Courses | Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science taught by a certified teacher

Tuesday 12:30 - 3:30 Lunch + Outdoor Enrichment

Wednesday 9:30 - 12:30 Core Courses | Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science taught by a certified teacher

Wednesday 12:30 - 3:30 Lunch + Outdoor Enrichment

Thursday 9:30 - 12:30 Core Courses | Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science taught by a certified teacher

Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 Lunch + Outdoor Enrichment

Friday 10:00 - 2:00 Farm Forest Day

*Programs are drop-off.

*Families may choose to mix and match programs, either choosing only to enroll in Core Courses, or Lunch/Outdoor enrichment, or Farm Fridays, or all of the above. Core Courses are a semester long commitment (2 semesters a year). Electives are per course commitment. Outdoor Enrichment and Farm Fridays are weather dependent and per weekly sign-up. Prices vary. Programs have minimum number of participants necessary to offer class, cut-off varies per program and is listed on sign-up.

*Core Courses and Elective Courses are for Grades 3-5 only.

*Outdoor Enrichment and Farm Fridays are for ages 7-12 only. If families have younger siblings they would like to join with their older children for outdoor programs, parents must attend and be solely in charge of watching younger child/children.

*Goldfinch utilizes both indoor classrooms, and the outdoors. Students spend significant parts of each day outside, integrating VA SOL academics and our nature-based curriculum with hands-on activities and experiences in nature.

*Please note: Goldfinch is not a therapeutic school and does not offer services. Our teaching staff and volunteers are not trained or certified in special needs or learning disabilities education. Goldfinch is a gentle, kind, creative microschool that welcomes learners of all kinds, however, due to our small community and small staff, we do have expectations and guiding rules for what type of learner would best succeed in our programs. Please see our FAQs for more information.