Welcome to Nature's Way STEAM School Kindergarten-3rd grade

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We believe that every child is unique and learns in their own way and at their own pace. Our approach is designed to foster a love of learning and a sense of curiosity in nature for our young students. Our mission is to offer empowerment to thrive in an environment where our young learners will build upon their unique inquiry, critical thinking, be problem solvers, through emerging project base STEAM learning with hands on experience and creative future innovators! 

We offer a classroom for children entering Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This classroom participates in community gathering and split learning times though out the day. Our daily flow offers:

Open play & snack, morning meeting , group learning, outdoor play, split learning, rotation of P.E. & ART, project learning, split learning and ending with open and outdoor PLAY. These split learning groups are designed to meet the developmental needs of each child and provide a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in their own way and beyond.

Ms. Shanley is our lead educator in this classroom and was formerly an outstanding PreK teacher at Kid Logic Learning. She holds a B.S. in Early Education with a minor in Special Education and brings extensive experience in early childhood education. Her knowledge and dedication have prepared her to continue her education journey with us at Nature’s Way.

We are also currently hiring for an Assistant Educator to support our growing classroom community.

Additionally, we are excited to welcome our Special Educator, Amy Buchanan, who also joins us from Kid Logic Learning. Amy holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Special Education. She will support our program by developing IEP plans, assisting with challenging behaviors, and providing specialized support for students who need additional guidance.

As our school community grows, we remain committed to the intentional and thoughtful growth of our educator team.

Our curriculum is designed to meet the Vermont Education Quality Standards (EQS) through an integrated, project-based approach. We utilize the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) as our foundational developmental continuum for Grades K-3, ensuring all instruction is developmentally appropriate while remaining academically rigorous.

Core instruction is anchored by evidence-based "spines" in Literacy and Mathematics, which are then applied through hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects both in the classroom and during our daily outdoor forest/nature block.

Focus: Systematic Phonics, Reading Comprehension, and Narrative/Informational Writing.

• Reading Foundational Skills: We follow a systematic, explicit phonics scope and sequence using the UFLI Foundations curriculum. This ensures all students develop strong phonemic awareness, decoding, and word-recognition skills (aligned with Vermont’s Act 139).
• Reading Comprehension: Students engage with a variety of texts, including classic fables, informational science texts, and contemporary literature. We focus on identifying main ideas, character development, and the author's point of view.
• Writing & Penmanship: Instruction includes explicit handwriting practice and daily journaling. Students practice three modes of writing:
  • Narrative: Creative stories and personal recounts.
  • Informational/Expository: Documenting STEAM projects and nature observations.
  • Opinion: Developing arguments based on shared texts or community decisions.
• Oral Language: Developing vocabulary and listening skills through "Project Shares" and collaborative group work.

Focus: Conceptual Understanding, Operations, and Real-World Application.

• Core Curriculum: We utilize Wild Math as our primary spine, ensuring full alignment with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) while moving math instruction into applied, tactile environments.
• Number Sense & Operations: Developing fluency with the four processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). We use manipulatives and natural loose parts to transition from concrete to abstract equations.
• Measurement & Data: Students use tools to measure length, weight, and volume during STEAM builds. We collect and graph data from our daily weather observations and plant-growth experiments.
• Geometry & Spatial Reasoning: Identifying shapes in the environment and using geometric concepts to design and construct 3D models and structures.
• Financial Literacy: Introduction to counting money, sorting, and basic economic concepts through classroom "market" simulations.

Focus: Community, Geography, and Stewardship.

• Civics: Students co-create "Community Treaties" to establish classroom and forest norms. We practice democratic decision-making and voting on project topics.
• Geography & Sense of Place: Students develop mapping skills by creating "Child’s-Eye View" maps of the school grounds and local community. Nature discoveries.
• History & Culture: Exploring timelines of local history, including the Abenaki heritage of the land. We study family traditions and community roles to understand cultural diversity.
• Economics: Understanding the difference between needs and wants and exploring how goods and services move within a community.

Focus: The Scientific Method, Engineering Design, and Earth/Life Sciences.

• Scientific Process: We utilize the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to guide inquiry. Students practice asking questions, defining problems, and carrying out investigations.
• Life Science: Identifying plant and animal parts and functions. We observe life cycles through seasonal changes in our local "sit spots" and classroom gardening.
• Earth Science: Daily weather tracking, reading maps, and observing the effects of weather on our local environment.
• STEAM/Engineering: Weekly or Monthly project-based challenges (e.g., "Designing a bird-safe structure" or "Building a water-filtration model"). This integrates physical science concepts like force, motion, and structural integrity. This will be designed through the emerging interest of children.

Focus: Literary Analysis and Connection.

• Genres: Students are exposed to fairy tales, fables, non-fiction chapter books, and informational texts.
• Literary Elements: Students practice retelling stories, identifying the main idea, and describing settings and character motivations.
• Connection: Encouraging students to make "Text-to-Self" and "Text-to-World" connections to deepen empathy and comprehension.

Focus: Gross Motor Competence, Personal Health, and Emotional Regulation.

• Physical Education: Our planned PLAY YARD P.E.  serves as a primary site for PE. Activities. In addition to this we will  include outdoor P.E. hiking over uneven terrain, climbing, balancing, and cooperative group games that build cardiovascular endurance and core strength.
• Health & Safety: Instruction in personal hygiene, healthy nutrition choices, and community safety (fire safety, emergency response).
• Substance Awareness: Age-appropriate discussion on the effects of medicine and toxic substances on the body.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Explicit coaching in emotional expression, self-regulation, and conflict resolution. Sense of belonging and community.

Focus: Visual Arts, Music, and Drama.

• Visual Arts: Students explore 2D and 3D expression using various mediums (paint, clay, pastels, and natural "Land Art"). We integrate handiwork such as sewing and basic woodworking into STEAM projects.
• Music & Drama: Daily singing, identifying instruments, and using dramatic play/improvisation to retell stories or explore social scenarios.
• Art Appreciation: Observing and responding to diverse works of music, dance, and visual art.

We utilize a Local Comprehensive Assessment System that includes:

• Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG): Continuous observation-based assessment aligned with VELS (K-3).
• Portfolios: Student-curated collections of work samples, nature journals, and project photos.

Narrative Reports: Detailed progress summaries shared with families two times per year.

Each year, enrollment opens on March 15 for the upcoming school year. Our program has a maximum capacity of 20 students.

To apply for enrollment, please complete our online application form. After reviewing applications, selected families will be invited to tour our program and participate in an orientation. During this time, we will also provide our school handbook for your review. 

Fees & Discounts

A registration fee of $500.00 is due each session. This fee supports the replenishment of classroom materials and supplies used throughout the year.

We offer a 10% sibling discount for families enrolling more than one child.

An after-school option is available at a discounted rate of $32.00 per day.

Tuition Rates
Weekly tuition is $518.00.

Scholarships & Financial Support
KLL Early Enrichment (the non-profit supporting NWSS) is currently seeking donations and grants to help build a scholarship fund that will assist families with tuition costs. More information will be released on this prior to fall 2026 start date.

NWSS will not qualify for ACT 73 public school funding due to changes in this law in 2025 https://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-governance/act-73-2025

Hours of Operation
7:45 AM – 2:45 PM

School Year
August 24, 2026 – June 9, 2027

Vacation Weeks
Holiday/Winter Break, February Break, and April Break (no tuition charge).

The 2026–2027 school calendar is currently in process and will be shared soon.

We look forward to welcoming your family to Nature's Way STEAM school!

Apply here: https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/ONQKXY3O1lStSCAcmgzY

Our school is located in a safe and secure environment featuring a spacious and bright Foresters school-age STEAM classroom, a large indoor play yard, and an outdoor playground. We provide a variety of materials and equipment that encourage exploration, creativity, and discovery while maintaining a clean and organized environment that fosters a sense of calm and focus for our students.

Additional spaces include a designated eating area, a private bathroom, and an art room that supports creative expression and hands-on learning.

Our program also utilizes a van for field trips and educational outings. Transportation waivers will be included in your enrollment packet for review and signature.