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ONE Forest School is a nonprofit, private school offering an award-winning, fully accredited, forest school curriculum. Our academic mission is to foster and promote a safe and positive outdoor learning environment that enhances student learning through a project-based curriculum utilizing E-STREAM (Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Reading Engineering, Art, and Math) - the integration of EE, Reading, and Art into STEM learning for children. To support the whole learner in a forest school setting, STREAM also supports Social Skills, Teamwork, Responsibility, Environmental Awareness, Accountability, and Mindfulness..
Tuition based on income. $8,100 is the highest tuition parents can expect to pay.
% on Financial Aid
40%
Admissions Director
catherine eubank
School Notes
Our school year's themes are organized chronologically based on
early American history. The themes highlight the creation of
the United States with an in-depth focus on how Virginia played a
major role. Our academic curriculum focuses on project based
learning through all the content areas utilizing American History
as a themed outline. Previously, we were chosen as one
of three schools in North America to collaborate, on a global
platform, with "Constructive Visions", a Nat Geo funded resource
project. Schools from 6 continental regions are participating
in this project. The chapters we're working on are:
Education, Climate, and Nature. The work done on this book
will enhance our learner's Language Arts goals and be considered
extra credit. They will also receive full credit, as a
participating author, in the book.
Our Forest School Curriculum, which is delivered alongside our
academic curriculum, focuses on teaching students emotional
intelligence. They are learning communication skills, social
skills, leadership, self-esteem, resiliency, etc. through their
Practical Skills (basic busshcraft, hand tool useage, nature
crafting, forest discovery, learning through play, theater,
etc.)
September- Native Americans-North America's major culture
groups and Virginia's major tribes. Every learner will be
tasked with creating a diorama of their chosen tribe. Science
looks at the needs of the People; Technology through research;
Reading about Native Americans; Engineering through building the
diorama; Art uses creativity of design; Math uses geometry of
structures. FS EQ Focus - Increased Regard for
Nature
October- Exploration- the Age of Exploration with the major
explorers including John Smith.Students will get first-hand virtual
experience in becoming explorers by creating their own Map of
Exploration! In Science they will be learning about land
formations, seasonal weather patterns, and natural resources
available during that time period. Technology will offer them
research opportunities for different explorers and investigating
different types of maps. Reading will tell true adventure
stories. Engineering will be about creating their own
exploration map. Art will become the creativity of design
utilized in their maps. Math will explore data collections
and math/map symbols. FS EQ Focus Physically
Balanced for Emotional Growth
November- The Journey Towards Colonization- the 13 Colonies and
where it all began in Jamestown. Science will explore
adapting to a new way of life in foreign surroundings.
Technology will focus on research towards colonizing. Reading
will offer students more ways to learn about the colonies; their
triumphs and struggles. Engineering/Art/Math Learners will
construct a ship, using different material choices, then document
their virtual journey with key information about the ship and the
trip, i.e. length, weight, cargo, journey time, passenger list,
cargo, etc. FS EQ Focus - Logic &
Reasoning
December- Revolution- the American Revolution. Playing
interactive board games to understand the Patriot's struggles to
gain independence. Science/Math will look at war and weaponry
matter (force, motion, energy); Technology, and its advancements,
used in battles. Reading will focus on the everyday heroes of
the American Revolution and their stories. Engineering/Art we
will re-enact a major battle on a tabletop model of a battlefield
that we will build from scratch. FS EQ Focus
Increased Focus
January- Young America and the Constitution- early government
and how the Virginia Plan shaped the Legislative Branch.
Using the Scientific Process to form the United States government
and using modern technologies for research and visual presentations
of the formation of our early history as a freed nation.
Reading about Young America and understanding the Constitution.
Engineering/Art project to recreate the Liberty Bell, and or its
image, using natural materials, to highlight the significance of
our national symbol of freedom. FS EQ Focus -
Leadership
February- the Presidents and African American History- This
month will focus on the social aspects of what led to the American
Civil War. At closer look at James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln,
and the five congressmen who served in the Union Army who later
became presidents. Using modern technology to study and
research this period in our history and reading about slaves and
their stories of perseverance, hardships, and envisioning a better
future for their families. Engineering/Art will look at
building a virtual Underground Railroad to freedom and creating a
fictional person, with a full background, to take the journey,
documenting their struggles, fears and friends they make along the
way, using storytelling and pictures. FS EQ
Focus - Resiliency
March- Women's History Month- how women shaped American history
and famous women of Virginia. This month will focus on women
and their contributions to science, technology, and math.
Each learner will choose a famous woman and her respective
advancement, to do their project on. Engineering/Art to
recreate an invention or experiment, by their chosen hero, and
demonstrate the math computations and estimations used for the
invention. FS EQ Focus - Confidence
April- the Civil War- Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy,
Richmond and major battles fought in Virginia. Learners will
choose a person from the Civil War to research and investigate
enough to give them the resources they'll need to create a Memorial
Box for their chosen Person of Interest, in a first-hand accounting
look at the life and times of the American Civil War period of our
history. Technology will include a formal visual presentation
to the class, on the stage, using props to support their written
report. Their report will include not only who they chose but
also a creative, even possibly an imaginary background, of the
person's likes and dislikes, using probabilities.
FS EQ Focus - Empathy
May- America the Beautiful- a celebration of all who have
served and died for America to honor Memorial Day including the
Bedford Boys. Also focusing on United States Monuments and
how they've changed through history, as well as, how our thinking
has changed towards controversial monuments; changing or removing
monuments to change or erase our history. Engineering/Art to
create an individual monument to represent the learners' choice and
its significance. FS EQ Focus -
Communication
recently had the opportunity to take my nephews to One Forest School at SML and was really impressed by the experiences this program offers. I love the "child-led" learning environment and the opportunity for education outside of the classroom. Mrs. Eubanks is very knowledgeable and the boys thoroughly enjoyed going each day! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique educational experience.
- Posted by Parent - Jennifer McPherson
55/5/2023
Our boys have been attending ONE Forest School and love it!! My husband and I have great communication with Mrs. Eubank and the boys adore her as well. We are so excited to have the ability to send the boys to the forest for a day and allow them to learn more about nature and the area`s wildlife. We would highly recommend One Forest School to any family considering an alternative to traditional child care.
- Posted by Parent - Arielle Crandall
55/5/2023
Our daughter was the first child to enroll in the forest school program and is there full-time Mon thru Friday. At first, my husband and I were skeptical about the legitimacy and focus of the program but decided that we would give it a chance. I cannot express how glad we are that we did. It's not always easy deciding who to entrust with the care of your children but Catherine and her husband Danny are both great people and are so good to our daughter. Catherine is amazing with her and all the other children and has fresh ideas every day to keep them engaged and learning. The outdoor focus and learner-led teaching approach work very well and our daughter comes home in a good mood every day and can't wait to go back. Catherine connects her with the outdoors every day in new and exciting ways in a day and age where kids are playing outside less and less and spending more time on phones or tablets. I cannot say enough good things about Mrs. Catherine and her program and if you are thinking about putting your child in the forest school then you absolutely should do so! 5 stars all around.
- Posted by Parent - Leslee Shelton
55/5/2023
My name is Angus Sutherland and I was a little scared about going to forest school, I thought there would be deadly snakes that would be scary but now that I`m here, and going in the forest every day I think it is so much fun. My favorite thing here is the forest theater where I can be the director and I so much love that. I recommend your child (if you have one) to go to this amazing forest school.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Angus Sutherland
55/5/2023
One Forest School gives children a one-of-a-kind experience to explore their environment and learn life-long skills. As a special education teacher working with students with behavioral challenges, I highly recommend this program! Every child can benefit from this type of learning but especially those with ADHD/add and those that don`t fit the "typical" mold! My children have enjoyed the time they have spent with Catherine and I just wish we had something like this closer to where we live!
- Posted by Parent - Beth Bond
55/5/2023
One Forest School has helped my granddaughter come out of her shell. She has learned so much and had fun while learning. The school might be outdoors but the way the children learn and retain what they have learned is amazing. Every staff member cares about the children and the staff always make it a point to treat you and the children like family. This is a school where kids can be kids and learn at the same time. Love it!!
- Posted by Parent - Amy Williams
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