Frequently Asked Questions

 The Village is a living learning community, not a conventional classroom. Education here unfolds through nature, creativity, and relationship, blending academics with real-life experiences. Children learn through projects, exploration, and reflection rather than rigid schedules or standardized testing. We focus on developing the whole child connecting their mind, body, heart, and spirit.

 Holistic education means educating the whole being. The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of a child. It values connection to self, others, and the Earth. Through rhythm, creativity, and community, children experience education as a living, meaningful journey, not a checklist of tasks.

 Nature-based schools use the outdoors as a primary classroom. Learning takes place through hands-on exploration, play, and interaction with the natural environment. This approach nurtures independence, resilience, and ecological literacy. 

Academic skills grow naturally through meaningful, real-world contexts. Math might emerge through building or cooking, language through storytelling and journaling, and science through observing ecosystems. Our approach values depth over speed, helping children develop true understanding and curiosity rather than memorization.

Connection and compassion are key to our philosophy. We use restorative practices and mindful communication, helping children build emotional awareness, empathy, and resilience. Community circles and reflection time create space for feelings to be expressed and relationships to grow with care. When a child feels connected to themselves and others, learning is happens naturally. 

The Village Roots Layer welcomes children of varied ages who learn together in multi-age communities, much like a family or tribe. This encourages empathy, leadership, and collaboration, allowing older children to guide younger ones and everyone to learn at their own pace.

While some teens expand into The Village Pathways or Compass Layers, others might seek exploration and transition to other alternative or mainstream education pathways. 

The average class size is 15 students, which allows for a more individualized and engaging learning experience.

Children are encouraged to be outside in most weather conditions, building resilience and adaptability. The Village emphasize proper clothing and safety while also offering indoor spaces when necessary for extreme conditions

Each day follows the rhythm of nature, with time for community connection, outdoor exploration, creative expression, and focused learning. Mornings often begin with a circle, grounding in gratitude and intention. The rest of the day flows through hands-on activities like gardening, nature walks, art, storytelling, and project-based and intentional learning.  Our day holds a balance of free play and reflection time.

Our mentors are experienced educators, artists, holistic practitioners and nature guides who teach from the heart. They are facilitators of wonder and co-learners who walk beside the children, not above them. Each mentor brings their own gifts, from ecology to mindfulness, to support every child’s growth and well-being.

 Parents are not just observers.  They are valued members of the Village. We invite families to participate in seasonal festivals, co-creative projects, and community work days. Together, we model for our children what true community looks and feels like, woven together in support and fully alive.  

While we honor the natural rhythms of learning over standardized testing, our mentors are familiar with provincial curriculum outcomes and weave them organically into daily experiences. Our goal is not to replicate the school system, but to reimagine learning in a way that nurtures both intellect and spirit. 

We are registered as a Ministry approved Private School and use Portfolio Based and Observational and Holistic Assessments. 

We choose not to create Ontario Student Records (OSR), as we view children as ever-evolving learners. Not data points to be defined by paperwork. Our focus is on relationship, reflection, and growth, recognizing each child’s development as a living process. 

Our program operates on a community-accessible model, with fees averaging around $50 per day. We offer both part-time and full-time enrollment options to support the diverse needs of families.

Because we believe that every child deserves access to holistic, nature-based education, sponsorships and sliding-scale opportunities are available for families in need. 

We encourage open conversations about financial accessibility together, we can find a way to make The Village experience possible for your family.

We welcome families to come experience the Village energy firsthand!  You can book a tour, attend an open house, or join a seasonal community event. Walking the land, meeting the guides, and seeing the children in their flow helps families truly feel what makes this learning environment so special.