The Outdoor Academy
Reggio-Inspired, Nature-based Primary Education
Play-based Prekindergarten in Nature
WHAT:
WHO:
Young children aged 4/5 by August 15, 2025
WHEN:
TIME:
Four classes per week (MTWR)
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Kindergarten - First Grade
Nature-based Primary Education
WHAT:
WHO:
Adventurous Children Entering
Kindergarten - age 5/6 by August 15, 2025
First Grade - age 6/7 by August 15, 2025
WHEN:
TIME:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (F)
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (M-R)
The K/1 Experience
Creative Learning the Natural Way
Imagine a school where your child’s classroom is the great outdoors, their lessons are drawn from nature, and every day is an adventure that builds confidence and celebrates their learning style. Welcome to Airie Outdoor Academy!
Our educators co-teach with nature to provide a rich context for interdisciplinary student projects and discoveries. Your child will joyfully build the foundations for the six dynamic disciplines, supported with research-based instructional strategies and materials. Young learners explore Reggio-inspired learning hubs, enriched with provocations shaped by their inquiries. These play-based learning invitations have embedded curricular content that highlights our educational philosophies.
The day-to-day schedule varies depending on the weather, the children’s needs, guest enrichment teachers, and the children’s supported interests. The rhythms below are considered our typical schedule.
Children should always arrive dressed in weather-appropriate gear.
*Note: Bulleted sections serve as an anchor point for the day.
Italicized sections have a flexible start time.*
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8:50 a.m. = Arrival
Welcome & Drop-off
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9:00 a.m. = Outdoor Learning Hubs
Open-ended Provocations
A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
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Mon - Music
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Tues - Character Education
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Wed - STEM
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Thurs - G.E.M. (Games Exercise Movement)
Refresh
-
10:20 a.m. = Math Meetings
Multisensory Math
Refresh
-
11:05 a.m. = Literacy Meetings
Play-based Language Arts
Lunch and Show & Share
Mindfulness
Sit Spots or Yoga
-
1:00 p.m. = Adventure Play
Bushcraft or STEM Projects
Forest School Exploration
Refresh = Snack & Storytelling
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2:45 p.m. = R.I.P.P.L.E. Time
Chores & Reflections
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3:00 p.m. = Farewell
Caterpillar Care
K/1 Daily Rhythm
Monday - Thursday
*Note: Academy students have expeditions on Thursdays*
K/1 Forest Fridays Rhythm
-
8:50 a.m. = Arrival
Welcome & Drop-off
-
9:00 a.m. = Outdoor Learning Hubs
Open-ended Provocations
A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
-
Fri - Environmental Stewardship
Refresh
-
10:20 a.m. = Math Meetings
Multisensory Math
Refresh
-
11:05 a.m. = Literacy Meetings
Play-based Language Arts
Lunch
Adventure Play
-
1:00 p.m. = Farewell
Caterpillar Care
The Six Dynamic Disciplines
Forest Families
Families that enroll in our Outdoor Academy are seeking to:
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Provide their child with an innovative kindergarten and first-grade education.
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Developmentally appropriate instruction is embedded in the learning environment and strategically guided by the Airie Teacher to satisfy the Tennessee State Standards.
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Prioritizes play-based learning from nature.
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Honor the wonder and curiosity of childhood.
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Cultivate a diverse and supportive space.
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Allow children autonomy, trust, and responsibility.
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Build creative tolerance to foster innovation.
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Partner with Airie educators.
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Give back to Earth.
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Slow down and connect with one another.
"Airie Forest School has helped our extremely active son thrive by embracing his natural curiosity, energy, and mechanical mind. He has gone from frustration with letters to voluntarily writing, reading, and exploring math, something we entirely attribute to Airie’s responsive and flexible approach."
— Kinnamont Family
"I am grateful that Airie Forest School has provided my son with such a unique learning experience. He is developing life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and independence, and the freedom to learn through play has boosted his confidence and curiosity in ways that traditional classrooms just can’t match."
— Gully Family