In the Bon Air area.

To us, a nature-based school is defined as a school with the goal of teaching nature and environmental science as a foundation for all of our learnings, as well as learning in our outdoor environment as much as possible. Whether it be learning their subjects in our outdoor class areas, incorporating nature with hands-on, project-based learning lessons, engaging in peer free-play in the fresh air, or learning valuable skills and lessons from our nature educators about their natural surroundings and how to be good stewards of the land.

We are passionate about giving our children more time outdoors. Learning in and about their natural surroundings. Ample time for imagination, art, and exploration. Education can and should be fun, build curiosity and confidence, and be a safe place for children to learn about themselves, their community, and the larger world. Providing our students with more time in nature is how we aim to get there.

“Microschools are small, community-based learning environments that offer personalized education to students. They typically have 10-15 students and are often led by passionate educators eager to create a unique learning experience.” (Source: Forbes Magazine)

A hybrid school combines at-home learning and at-school, teacher-led instruction. Students attend class 3 days per week, part-time, and learn at home the remainder of the week.

As our school community grows, we hope to offer more classes and options (STEAM, languages, art, etc).

We are not certified or equipped to assist with any educational delays, special needs, or behavioral disorders.

We pride ourselves on offering a kind, creative educational option, filled with outdoor exploration. We support students’ emotional, social and educational growth and well-being.

And while we aim to support many types of students, our programs will not be a good fit for every student.

Students and families who might thrive in our nature-based microschool environment:

• Families looking for a homeschool hybrid community. Secular education steeped in environmental sciences, taught in a creative, gentle environment with small classes and attentive teachers.

• Students who are interested in learning, playing with others, are respectful of peers and teachers.

• Students who might benefit from project-based learning and creative approaches to teaching standard subjects.

• Families looking for community, fellow creatives, and nature lovers!

• Those interested in a hybrid school that focuses on mastery of skill over traditional grades and standardized testing.

• Those interested in environmental studies, our local and native plants and animals, crafts and outdoor skills, how our environment shapes us, how we can care for it, and why all that is important!

• We are inclusive of all genders, families and races, and welcome all those looking for similar community.

• Celiacs! We are a school with gluten-free classrooms, and strict adherence to celiac protocols.

Microschools have innumerable benefits, but we do have limitations as far as services offered.

• Goldfinch Nature School does not have an on-site nurse.

• We do not have a school counselor.

• We do not have school specialists or therapists.

• We are not certified to teach special needs, learning delays, and we do not accommodate behavioral disorders.

• Students should be interested in learning, kind and curious.

• Able to work alone and in groups.

• Students must be able to follow directions (especially safety instructions outdoors).

• Students must be verbal. We spend time in the woods and outdoors, and for safety reasons students must be able to communicate verbally.

• For our outdoor enrichment, we are big proponents of “risky play”, or experimenting and learning as you play without adult intervention (where appropriate). If a student has issues with safety and impulse control, wandering off, or being destructive, for safety reasons we do not recommend our programs.

• Must enjoy being outdoors in all weather, as we try to spend time outside each day.

• We do a lot of project-based learning, group activities and group play, so students must interact well with others.

• We have a zero-tolerance policy for physical behavior, and/or bullying of any kind.

• Students must be respectful of students and staff. We are a small, community-driven school and we are creating a thoughtful, kind, creative environment. Any student who has issues with anger, defiance, being disrespectful, yelling, or unkind language or actions, will not be allowed to participate in any of our programs. We also do not tolerate defiance, arguing or disrespectful behavior towards peers, teachers or staff.

• We utilize both indoor and outdoor classrooms, and are flexible each day with where we are teaching. If your learner struggles with transitions and needs a highly structured environment, we will likely not be a good fit. We also have a healthy amount of unstructured play time during our outdoor enrichment day, if your learner does not do well in unstructured environments, we will likely not be good fit.

• We have students with auto-immune issues, as such, we have a fairly strict illness policy (meaning we do not allow sick children to attend classes). We are mask friendly (students can choose) but we require anyone with active illness to remain home from school. The protection of our students and teachers, and their families are our greatest commitment. We also require vaccinations to attend our school.

Please visit our Tuition and Fees page for information.

Yes, our programs are being offered as separate offerings.

See our Programs Page for details.

Visit our Programs Page for details.

Every year is different, but our goal is always between 4-8 students per teacher, per cohort.

Smaller classrooms allow us to be more nimble, and flexible in our day, as well as provide focused and thoughtful attention to each student.

We have a 10 month school year, Sept-June.

We make our own decisions about weather delays and closures after determining the safety of our grounds and our staff’s ability to arrive at school. Decisions to delay or close are made by 8 a.m.

We are inspired by Steiner, Montessori and Reggio. But we practice modern adaptations of those philosophies. We love the practice of multi-age classrooms. And firmly believe in the power of play and imagination. Our teaching methods support educating the whole child, and are child-centered. Children are wonderful and unique, and each have their own language of understanding and learning, and our passion is reaching each child while honoring their uniqueness.

As educators, we have a rich curriculum for the grades, and goals for each student. There are many paths to success and we joyfully educate and guide students to reach their full potential, their way.

We also believe in life-applied learning, and hands-on discovery. Taking what we learn in the classroom and applying it in nature lessons, and in real-life situations.

Parents will select their own curriculum for at-home learning.

Goldfinch Nature School will teach from a proprietary curriculum designed specifically for Goldfinch, and incorporates content that matches the VA SOL’s (Math, ELA, Social Studies, Science) while greatly expanding and enriching the curriculum to be creative, academically rigorous, nature-based, and ever improving.

The core classes teach concepts, review grade-level learnings, play learning games, and utilize project-based learning in a group setting through review and enrichment activities on class days.

Our regular admissions season begins in January and ends with decisions in early March. When there is classroom space available, we offer rolling admissions after the deadline.

We are currently accepting students in Grades 3-5 for the 2024-2025 school year!

Our admissions process includes: application, invitation for student to visit the class, a parent interview, and an individual evaluation completed by the applicant’s current or former teacher. Not all applicants will be invited to continue the process past the initial application, or visit.

Applicants may be admitted for immediate enrollment, fall enrollment, wait listed, or not admitted. Applicants who are not admitted may reapply. Admitted applicants are usually offered two weeks to accept and pay a non-refundable tuition deposit to hold their spot.

Our program dates and times are created with great thoughtfulness and intention.

Unfortunately, we do not offer variations of the programs. We are striving to build a community and this requires consistent attendance.

No, we do not.

In order to accommodate our celiac friends, we do not allow gluten food in the classrooms. Students wash their hands frequently, and always before and after eating. We also do not have any gluten-containing school supplies in the classrooms (like play-doh, etc).

Please feel free to speak with us about any food allergies and accommodations.

Currently, we do not.

Currently, we do not. But we encourage families to carpool if they’d like.

We sure do! We work to provide integrative technology that supports our core curriculum and nature education, as well as teaching students how to use technology to further their studies and exploration.

We are an educational resource school and homeschool enrichment program. Since we provide fewer than 180 hours of instruction, we are not permitted to register as a private school in the State of Virginia. Parents will need to register their student as a homeschooler with their school district and follow all applicable requirements.