The Outdoor Academy
Reggio-Inspired, Nature-based Kindergarten and First Grade
DETAILS
Reggio-inspired Forest Primary School
WHAT:
WHO:
By August 15, 2025
Kindergarten - age 5/6
First Grade - age 6/7
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)
Ask us about Caterpillar Care!
The 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. Note: Children should always arrive dressed in weather-appropriate gear.
Bolded sections are an anchor point of the day
Italicized sections are flexible
Monday - Thursday
8:55 a.m. = Parent Play (Welcome & Drop-off)
9:15 a.m. = Play-based Learning at Hubs
A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
Adventure Play
11:00 a.m. = Literacy Meetings
Exploration in Nature
1:00 p.m. = STEM or Bushcraft Projects
Snack - Sharing - Stories
Mindfulness
Adventure Play
2:30 p.m. = Hygge
Chores
R.I.P.P.L.E. Meeting
3:00 p.m. = Farewell
Daily Rhythm
When is lunch? We practice autonomy by encouraging the children to listen to their bodies. There are designated eating areas and procedures to maintain safety at all times.
Note: The only times the children are discouraged from eating are during the meetings of the day.
8:55 a.m. = Parent Play (Welcome & Drop-off)
9:15 a.m. = Play-based Learning at Hubs
A.W.A.K.E. Meeting
Adventure Play
11:00 a.m. = Literacy Meetings
Exploration in Nature
1:00 p.m. = Farewell
Forest Fridays Rhythm
Ask us about Caterpillar Care!
Why Do Families Choose
Airie Outdoor Academy?
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Five days a week of experiential learning that is enhanced with long hours of uninterrupted outdoor play.
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Small class sizes (i.e., child-to-teacher ratio 8:1)
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All-weather immersive experiences to foster resilience.
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Rain, Snow, and Sunshine (never lightning)
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Connections with highly-qualified teachers who understand and deeply value the inquiry process.
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Differentiated literacy and STEM learning pods.
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Flexible groupings are created based on the children's developmental levels.
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These groups are designed to target academic skills through playful, direct instruction guided by the TN State Standards.
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Curricular experiences embedded in play.
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Learning invitations are seasonal, nature-based, and interconnected to the six dynamic disciplines.
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Outdoor learning hubs include a mud kitchen, sandbox, learning gardens, story tree, and an adventure playground.
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Project-based Learning
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Daily written language invitations in their explorers' journals.
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Supportive Curricula such as:
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Literacy: Logic of English, Words Their Way, Jacob's Ladder, and Beyond Words: Figurative Language
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Mathematics: Dimensions Math and Wild Math
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Sciences: Project WILD, Forest School Adventure, Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, Early Elementary Science Education, and Teaching STEM in the Early Years
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Process art to develop creative tolerance and expression.
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Weekly expeditions to explore local creeks, springs, forests, farms, museums, and rivers to develop biophilia within each student.
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Authentic documentation of the learning process to connect you with your child’s day.
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Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) to develop your child's goals and track progress.
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Family Partnership Meetings in October, February, and June
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Continuous learning is supported with a balanced calendar.
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Exclusive events include bonfires, special family days, holiday celebrations, campouts, child-led performances, and ceremonies.
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All academy students are enrolled in a Category IV umbrella school, satisfying all Tennessee State educational requirements.
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