Fern Hill School

Fern Hill offers a hybrid approach to learning that focuses on both in-classroom learning together with dedicated time outdoors each day for learning in nature. Our curriculum is both academically rigorous and creatively imaginative, with a heavy emphasis on social emotional learning, exploration and discovery. Admission to the school is open to students from all backgrounds, and we strive to maintain a diverse student population which helps to promote an enriching experience for the entire learning community.

Learn more about admissions for AY 25-26!

Learn more about our Summer Camp!

Learn more about our Homeschool Community Days! 

Nurture in Nature

At Fern Hill, we believe that nature in education is an essential component of a whole-child approach to learning. Research studies link outdoor learning to increased performance on standardized testing, improved in-school behavior, positive attitudes about school in general, and improved attendance. This is in addition to the health benefits of intentional immersion in nature for children and adults. Children who spend a significant amount of time in nature have less risk of childhood obesity, their fine and gross motor skills are more developed, and eyesight is increased.  Outdoor learning allows children increased opportunity to develop social and emotional skills like problem solving, confidence, independence, risk management, and resilience. Navigating a downed tree in the forest may begin as a "sit and scooch" situation and develop into a fully-balanced stride from one end to another. Negotiating the process of increasing ability in a physically risky opportunity directly translates to confidence in taking risks in all other learning forums. Children who learn outdoors are encouraged to think critically about risks and benefits of their actions, to overcome adversities and to build resilience in a physically and emotionally safe manner. Finally, children who regularly interact with nature are increasingly aware of the beauty and resources that the earth has to offer. Nurturing a relationship with the outdoors early in life grounds children in negotiating the environmental and social challenges we face as a society and for the personal challenges they face as individuals.

Our Approach to Learning:

• INQUIRY Based-  Learners are encouraged to explore material, ask questions, and share ideas.
• PLAY Based - Child-led. Open-ended. Process-oriented.
• NATURE Based - Learning occurs in the context of nature with extensive daily outdoor time.
• S.T.E.A.M. - Hands on, creative opportunities to design, experiment, build and invent through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
• SOCIAL Learning - Self-awareness. Self-management. Social awareness. Relationship skills. Responsible decision making.