The wonder of Childhood

IN The Woods

e x p e r i e n c e

Nature-Based Education

to nurture the whole child  

Line drawing of hands surrounding a small plant with two leaves, symbolizing growth or environmental care, on a dark purple circular background.

OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Our school days are held in outdoor classrooms and locations across our 14-acre campus of wetlands, farm, and garden. Rain or shine, our students engage with our beautiful forest year-round.

Line art illustration of a lightbulb with abstract lines surrounding it on a dark purple circular background.

OUR CURRICULUM

As a Waldorf-inspired forest school, our educational philosophy engages the head, the heart, and the hands to provide a broad, balanced, and holistic education that nurtures the whole human being. Creativity and artistic expression are essential in a child's healthy growth and development, and are fully integrated into our curriculum.

Line drawing of two hands holding a heart shape, set against a dark purple circle background.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We preserve the innocence and wonder of childhood through security and freedom; allowing children to move, explore, create, and play within a safe and predictable environment and rhythm. We practice and encourage peaceful parenting and wholesome living.

Student in Environmental Education class at metro Atlanta Forest School farm.
Forest Kindergarten students tidy their outdoor classroom at Waldorf-Inspired Forest School in Atlanta, GA.
Two young girls grooming a small donkey on a school farm, with green trees and another donkey in the background at metro Atlanta nature-based Waldorf forest school, The Garden School of Marietta.

WHERE FOREST SCHOOLING

MEETS WALDORF-INSPIRED CURRICULUM

Waldorf-Inspired Forest School in Metro Atlanta

OUR PROGRAMS

Preschool student folds play silk at Waldorf-Inspired Forest School in Marietta, Georgia.

Joyful Beginnings

    • Toddler Program for ages 2-3.

    • Half-day, drop-off program nourishes the senses and allows for self-initiated exploration and movement.

    • The class meets from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and follows the same calendar schedule as our school.

    • We offer 5 day (M-F), 3 day (M-W), and 2 day (Th-F) enrollment options.

    • Children spend roughly half their time outdoors in our forest environment and enjoy weekly visits to the farm.

Forest Kindergarten student enjoys free play at The Garden School of Marietta's 14 acre wooded campus.

Forest Kindergarten

    • Mixed-age, play-based program for ages 4 - 6.

    • We offer half-day (8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.) and full-day (8:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m.) options, and students may participate 3 (M-W), 4 (M-Th), or 5 days per week.

    • As a general guide, children will spend at least 2.5 hours a day outside in summer and winter, and most of the day outside in the spring and autumn.

    • Children visit our creek and farm weekly and participate in finger knitting, sewing, and other handwork activities.

A group of children standing in a circle outdoors on grass, listening to a woman with curly hair in a white shirt, surrounded by green trees at a metro Atlanta nature-based Waldorf forest school, The Garden School of Marietta.

Grades Program

    • When children enter Grade 1 at The Garden School, they meet the person who, ideally, will teach them the core curriculum for the next several years.

    • Core academic coursework includes Language Arts, Math, Geography, History, Science, and Social Studies.

    • Our specialty classes are numerous and designed to enhance every student’s academic journey. These classes include Farming, Foreign Language (Mandarin & Spanish), Handwork, Environmental Education, and Music (choral/instrumental).

CONTACT US

Colorful children's backpacks hanging on a wooden rack outdoors among trees, with paper drawings hung above at a metro Atlanta nature-based forest Waldorf school, The Garden School of Marietta.