A Peek Into The Little School’s Learning Environment

When parents consider their child’s next school, they’re not just thinking about supplies—they’re envisioning a place that sparks curiosity, nurtures individuality and fosters a love of learning.

Here at The Little School, this vision is reality. Our mission—cultivating authentic learning in community and the natural world, amplifying curiosity and expanding a sense of self, belonging and possibility—shapes everything we do. From the teaching methods to the blended indoor/outdoor learning spaces, exploration and engagement are at the core of our program.

What Makes Our Learning Environment Unique?

Learning here goes beyond subjects and schedules. The classroom community itself is part of the teaching process. Class sizes are small, creating an environment where each child can feel seen, heard and valued.

“We very deliberately create class learning communities,” explains Regan Wensnahan, Director of Enrollment Management. “We start the day with morning meetings where the class gathers to do intentional activities to learn how to work together better. These are social skills, but they’re also collaboration and teamwork skills which they will use throughout their lives.”

With typically 13-16 students in each class, teachers are able to give personalized attention to students while also fostering dynamic group learning experiences. And no two projects or end-of-unit celebrations are the same. Our educators encourage each child to create unique expressions of what they have learned.

Recently, fourth- and fifth-grade projects focused on students choosing a spirit animal which expressed some aspects of themselves. Then students created colorful collages, wrote poems and shared their reflections with peers. Each piece was celebrated for both its individuality and the way it connected to others.

Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls

Here at TLS, nature is a daily teacher. Surrounded by woods and gardens, our classrooms opens directly to the outdoor learning spaces. Children explore, play and learn outside every day.

“Kids pick up a cone and suddenly we’re measuring, counting, weighing and planting,” says Wensnahan. “Each step builds foundational skills through hands-on discovery.”

In another thematic study, students measured whale lengths across the playground and used pinecones to visualize size—blending math, science and imagination.

These experiences reflect our progressive education philosophy: learning thrives when children connect ideas to authentic experiences. Outdoor time isn’t extra—it’s essential.

A Rich Curriculum of Specialists

In addition to classroom projects, our exceptional specialist teachers provide focused content learning. Collaborating with classroom teachers, these six specialists focus on:

• Library: Children explore books, share their own writing and build the habits of lifelong readers.
• Physical Education: Lessons go beyond games, focusing on healthy bodies, teamwork and joyful movement.
• Environmental Science: Students dive deeply into ecosystems, sustainability and the natural world around them.
• Art Studio: Visual expression helps children communicate ideas and emotions in multiple creative media.
• Music: Singing, instrument play and rhythm connect students across cultures and generations.
• TED (Technology, Engineering and Design): A distinctive program where students work intensively on projects, such as kindergartners building a playhouse for their playground.

The impact of these specialist classes extends beyond just their content skills allowing students to grow their sense of themselves as learners in multiple genres. These specialists ensure that children’s growth extends beyond academics alone.

Joyful Learning Experiences

Our daily and weekly traditions are an instrumental part of what makes school life here so joyful. There’s an all-school sing on Fridays—a beloved tradition where students, teachers and often families gather to raise their voices together. The songs are chosen not only for their beauty, but for the sense of joy, reflection of our community’s diversity and the togetherness they inspire.

All of the activities are designed to ensure the whole child is being nurtured, including:

• Mind, through inquiry-based academics.
• Heart, through empathy, social-emotional learning and authentic community.
• Body, through movement, nature and healthy living.

“What sets our school apart from other schools,” says Wensnahan, “is the daily way we live our mission—using curiosity to cultivate authentic learning experiences and belonging—through a progressive education approach.”

What Makes Our School Different

Words and photos only go so far. To truly understand The Little School difference, families need to experience it—the classrooms both indoors and outdoors, the children investigating nature, community singing echoing across campus.

When children are encouraged to follow their questions, to see difference as a strength and to connect deeply with the natural world, something remarkable happens: they carry that joy of learning forward. They become confident risk-takers, empathetic peers and lifelong learners.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re searching for a school where your child can thrive as a whole person, we invite
you to come take a look for yourself.

Schedule a visit and see all that The Little School has to offer.