Our Approach

 
 

  1. Guide each child to flourish.

  2. Enable young learners to safely explore and understand the world around them and how they can make it better.

The Forest School Online uses learner-driven technology, Socratic discussions, hands-on projects, and real-world apprenticeships in an intentionally diverse and character-forging community.

 
 
 

Design principles:

The following ideals shape every experience at The Forest School Online:

  • Inspiring to all participants

  • Deeply personalized and self-directed learning

  • Enthusiastically diverse and relationship-centered environments

  • Unambiguously rigorous, relevant, and mastery-based work products

 

Our promises to your child:

He or she or they will...

  • Begin a journey to find your calling that will change the world.

  • Learn to be curious, become an independent learner, and love lifelong learning.

  • Explore their most precious gifts, along with the dedication it takes to develop them into marketable talents.

  • Understand the importance of strong character.

  • Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world, & the mystery of life.

  • Treasure economic, political, & religious freedom.

 

Our core beliefs:

  • We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.

  • We believe in a closely connected family of lifelong learners.

  • We believe in learning to be, learning to do, learning to learn, and learning to live together.

  • We believe in economic, political, and religious freedom.

 

Our Methods of Learning:

 

SOCRATIC GUIDING

Socratic Discussions and self-paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.

SELF PACED E-LEARNING

Educational technology targeted so students learn at their own level and speed.

HANDS-ON QUEST-BASED LEARNING

Hands-on Quests for the arts, entrepreneurship, and science prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.

STUDENT-DRIVEN LEARNING

A democratic environment of empowered learners who have choice and voice in the learning process.

 
 

What sets us apart:

 

1.  We have Guides not teachers
2.  We have mixed-age Studios not classrooms
3.  We have portfolios + exhibitions not grades
4.  We have contracts not rules
5.  We ask questions not lecture

6.  No homework!
7.  Hands-on + E-learning
8.  Students learn at their own pace
9.  Travel is encouraged
10. Apprenticeships begin in middle school

 
 

the learner experience:

At The Forest School Online, children are trusted and empowered to be responsible for their own learning, and to use their learning to change the world. Our learner-driven community puts children at the center of their learning, allowing them to create and maintain personal goals, relational covenants, and real-world meaningful work.

Learners at The Forest School Online study together in mixed-age Studios, bringing the classic one-room schoolhouse into the modern age. Young people from across the world learn to mentor and be mentored by one another. Guides are not lecturers but facilitators of student growth. Learners track their own growth on an online dashboard updated daily which parents can access at any time.