Where Scholastics Meets Farm and Forest
WildWise Forest School is a five day a week all outdoor interdisciplinary program. Our unique curriculum blends contemporary academics with traditional wilderness, homestead, and naturalist skills. Forest school is real world, experiential learning that is rooted firmly in nature connection and community.
Our curriculum is carefully crafted to ensure participants learn practical life skills combined with real academic knowledge that will open their hearts, enrich their souls, and propel them into a future of intelligent and grounded connection to the natural world.
Our experienced and certified staff meets each participant where they are in their individual physical and emotional development, assisting them to forge a path forward to succeed not just in their academic journey, but in their lives now and into the future as individuals and members of the larger community.
In a classroom of tall trees, grassy fields, sandy beaches, and on our heritage farm at the WildWise Campus, Forest Schoolers also engage in developing personal and social skills. Integrating EduLARPing through Story Quests, WildWise holds space for a child’s natural sense of wonder to guide holistic education.
An outdoor classroom makes learning an adventure by stimulating a child’s senses, engaging both their mind and body to be ready for learning. Children are innately curious, and our qualified Mentors help children to trust that they are also intelligent and capable people, so that they may become responsible members of their community. We help them to push their personal edges and take appropriate risks in a safe and caring environment, building confidence and awareness.
Join the WildWise Ohana Community Guild on Facebook to connect with families in our programs!
- All Genders
- All Outdoors
- EduLARP
- Grades: Preschool, K - 8, and 9 - 12
- Monday - Friday
- September 5, 2023 - June 7, 2024
- For Tuition Rates Click Here
WildWise is the first school in Washington State to offer an all outdoor full academic curriculum for students in grades K-8. As an all outdoor school, Washington State does not currently have signed legislation that provides a pathway for fully outdoor academic organizations that educate children beyond early learning to be approved private schools by the Washington State Board of Education. A bill has been passed by the State Legislature and is currently awaiting gubernatorial signature. We will know more if it is signed and implemented.
WildWise Forest School is a non-government parent partnership program. Families will declare their intent to homeschool with the support of WildWise state certified teachers, and WildWise Forest School will facilitate complete and comprehensive curriculum that not only meets but often exceeds state standards.
We are proud to have partnered with Oak Meadow to use it's world-renowned curriculum in WWFS grades K-8, which aligns with rigorous academic standards customized to meet the WildWise approach to education and learning.
Every child is unique and learns at their own pace and in a rainbow of diverse ways. WildWise staff will mentor students and provide the right level of support so that challenges are met at the right time. If staff concludes that a student could benefit from additional support, we will work with parents to understand what outside resources are available to help provide the tools needed for your student's success. There are special needs that WildWise does not have the resources to support. Please see the readiness checklist to ensure that WildWise Forest School is a good fit for your child.
WWFS meets rain or shine, warm or cold. There are a few major weather or disaster related events that may cause school to cancel for the day. This includes high wind warnings, extreme cold, high risk air quality, or the inability for staff and students to get to and from school safely.
WWFS meets all outdoors all year long. We do have covered and partially enclosed spaces so that we are able to implement curriculum that requires this resource.
WildWise does not provide regular meals, however every Monday there is a Campus Lunch that is provided for. This can consist of fresh farm-made soup and bread, or a potato and salad bar, maybe even pizza day made from scratch and baked in our cob oven!
Parent participation is crucial for the success of your child's education, for the success of WildWise Forest School, and for the success of community. Requirements are outlined in the Parent Handbook, and participation beyond those requirements as part of the Parent Association is highly encouraged.
Each family is part of the WildWise Forest School Parent Association (WWFSPA) which is facilitated by the WWFSPA Steering Committee. Involvement and participation is encouraged to work together on projects and events for Forest School.
WildWise School does not follow popular holiday and break schedules. We are an indigenous and nature based spirit led program and our holiday and break schedule orients to those practices. Please see our Forest School Calendar available in the drop down menu for when our holiday and seasonal break dates are. We will often have family friendly gatherings during these breaks.
WildWise students dive deeper
Wilderness First Responders. Trauma-informed Educators. Naturalists. Certified Trackers. Ethnobotanists. State-Certified Teachers. Master Swordsmen. Environmental Protectors. Outdoorsmen. Wilderness Guides. Indigenous Educators. Master Story Tellers. Entrepreneurs. Combat Veterans. Parents. Students. EduLARP Nerds. Musicians. Mariners. Historians. Chefs. Philanthropists.
The WildWise family is at the forefront of knowledge in the technical, human and environmental skills needed to excel in the outdoors and bring their passion for educating to Forest School every day.
- Bushcraft Skills
- Ancestral Studies
- Ethnobotany
- Natural History
- Wilderness Awareness
- Nature Connection
- Archery
- HEMA Swordsmanship
Learning Outcomes
- Confidence
- Communication
- Team Work
- Problem Solving
- Concentration
- Leave No Trace™ Ethics
- Emotional Intelligence & Empathy
- Improved Academic Achievement & Self-Regulation
- Creative Self-expression & Resilience
- Inspired Curiosity
- Responsibility
- Boundary Exploration
- Improved Cognative Skills
- Reduced Stress
- Improved Physical Stamina
- Community Belonging
What contemporary academic subjects are covered in Forest School?
WildWise Forest School partners with Oak Meadow to provide rigorous academic standards that meet and often exceed State requirements.
- Mathematics
- Language Arts
- History
- Social Studies
- Sciences
- Art
Campus Days
Students begin each day in an opening circle followed by morning movement and farm chores. Fire is an integral part of Forest School, and students spend time rotating building the fire so that there is always a fire with us.
After the morning routine, students move into the lessons of the day. Lessons are focused around academic subjects in each student’s grade level and/or where they are on their academic journey. After lunch students engage in active play, followed by afternoon activities that reinforce the lessons of the day. Monday also includes the music program Rhythms of the Wild. A closing circle completes the end of the day.
Park Days
Students begin the day with an opening circle followed by active play and games. Park days are spent exploring and reinforcing the curriculum. They learn natural history, awareness, bushcraft skills, orienteering, ethnobotany, and so much more as they continue to foster connection with nature, community, and self and expand upon their academic journey. The day is bookended with a closing circle.