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:
Monday - Wednesday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Kindergarten
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, 2026 (Coming Next Year)
WHEN:
TIME:
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (M-R)
The Academy 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 and you to provide a rich context for interdisciplinary student projects and discoveries. Together, we will partner with you to provide your child with a family-based education that 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.
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8:55 a.m. = Arrival
Welcome & Drop-off
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9:00 a.m. = Outdoor Learning Hubs
Open-ended Provocations
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9:45 a.m. = A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
Tell me more
Adventure Play
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10:30 a.m. = Academic Meetings & Projects
Tell me more
Lunch
Mindfulness Practice
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1:00 p.m. = Forest School
Tell me more
Snack & Storytelling
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2:45 p.m. = R.I.P.P.L.E. Meeting
Tell me more
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3:00 p.m. = Farewell
Kindergarten Daily Rhythm
Monday - Wednesday
Kindergarten Expedition Rhythm
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9:00 - 9:15 a.m. = Arrival
Parent Play & Drop-off
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Adventure Play
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A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
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Hike
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Lunch & Stories
Lunch
Adventure Play
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1:00 p.m. = Farewell
What Can an Expedition Look Like?
The Six Dynamic Disciplines
Forest Families
Families that enroll in our Outdoor Academy are seeking to:
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Provide their child with a premium, intentional education.
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Developmentally appropriate instruction is embedded in the learning environment and strategically guided by the Airie Teacher to cultivate a holistic education while simultaneously satisfying 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