FAQ

What is Forest School?

Forest school is an education model operating primarily outdoors that teaches personal, social and technical skills through exploration, challenges, and trial and error experiences. Its roots reach back to the Scandinavian education system, then adopted in the UK in 1993 and has been spreading ever since. Forest school inspires students to develop a connection with nature, and ultimately its Creator, and to build self-confidence and resilience. The simplicity of Forest school is an intentional effort toward removing barriers and distractions so that students are unleashed to discover, take risks, fail, explore and develop a desire to learn and think critically.

How much will it cost?

Registration is $175 per student with a Forest School family cap at $325. Tuition will cost $430 per month with a 10% sibling discount. Forest School has a higher registration and tuition rate than the Farmhouse due to the tools, materials and resources required as well as the lower teacher to student ratio. Students will need to have appropriate clothing for all seasons (boots, water shoes, waterproof bibs, rain gear, insulated bibs...) and RHA will provide a suggested list of items prior to the first semester. 

What will students do at forest school?

A wide variety of learning experiences will occur during forest school. Students will be engaged physically and mentally in a variety of ways such as journaling and researching, unstructured exploration on the farm, phenology journaling, fire-building, structure making, splitting and stacking wood, building and more.

What about the weather?

Forest school will operate regardless of the weather. Students will be asked to dress appropriately based on the weather with several layers and a change of clothes as needed at school. Nature will provide opportunities for problem solving such as fire building and shelter making when needed. The barn will serve as a heated indoor environment when needed and a safe structure in case of extreme weather.

Why 5th-8th grade?

The minimal options for middle school age homeschool students in our community along with our desire to combat the societal influence on adolescents led us to offer this as an option for 5th-8th grade. Also, considering the risk-level of opportunities we would like to offer students will require closer supervision of older aged students. Most forest school models in our area are available for younger ages but we see an obvious need for older students to unplug, work together in a positive environment and find their identity in nature with their Creator. 

Where can I learn more?

Podcasts: 1000 Hours Outside, Raising Wildlings, Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

Books: Outdoor Kids in an Inside World by Steven Rinella, There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Websites: Forest School Association, Forest School Teacher Institute

Will you offer it on Tues/Thurs?

Not at this time. The first year will be primarily focused on developing this program and we will revisit the potential of expansion when God calls us to that.

Who will teach at Forest School?

All forest school teachers will be trained and Forest School Teacher certified. Forest school will operate on a 1:7 teacher to student ratio, 4 teachers and 28 students.

Can I send one of my children to the Farmhouse and one to the Forest school?

If you have multiple children, you could choose either program based on each individual child. Please note, if you choose to switch to Forest School, your student's spot at the Farmhouse would be filled with a new enrollment and any future changes would require joining the waitlist to return to school in the Farmhouse. 

Will Forest School students get to attend other special events such as Field Trips?

Yes, students enrolled in any Rolling Hills program may attend special events and field trips offered by Rolling Hills Academy outside of normal school days. Because Forest School and RHA Farmhouse are completely different entities, special events like class parties will look different.