Rooted in Nature, Growing in Curiosity — Year-Round Learning in the Mountains.

A simplified illustration of a young plant showing the roots, stem, and leaves.

Childhood Education

Group of children sitting on grass outdoors in a semi-circle, listening to two adults standing in front of them during a daytime outdoor educational activity, with trees and hills in the background.

Woodson Branch Nature School

Woodson Branch Nature School (WBNS) is our flagship K–8 program since 2008, designed to cultivate curious, capable learners through nature-based, project-based education. Inspired by Montessori, Waldorf, and regenerative practices, WBNS integrates academic standards with real-world skills—transforming our forests, gardens, and farm into dynamic classrooms.

Two children, a girl and a boy, excitedly watch as someone stirs a pot of soup or sauce on a stove.
Children and adults gathered around a small campfire outdoors on a sunny day, with a basket nearby and a rocky landscape in the background.
Three colorful backpacks hanging on a wooden wall, with a blue water bottle attached to the left backpack.
Children and adults playing with a colorful ball outdoors in a field beside a wooded hillside on a sunny day.
Children gathered at a dance or party inside a rustic barn with string lights and floral decorations.
Two young boys sitting inside a makeshift shelter built with sticks in a forest, smiling at the camera.
Young woman in a gray hooded sweatshirt holding a leaf with both hands outdoors in a garden or forest area.
A group of children in a wooded outdoor setting, engaged in craft or woodworking activities, with some using tools on wooden structures and others observing or working on different projects.
Children inside a rustic wooden room, some sitting and some standing, engaged in crafting activities with various materials on a table, wearing warm clothing and hats.
A young boy with blond hair smiling and using a computer mouse at a workstation, with a monitor displaying a 3D model of a character from the game Among Us in a computer-aided design program.
A young girl and an adult woman planting a small tree together outdoors, surrounded by other people, on a cloudy day.
Children wearing colorful jackets and gloves bending over in a field of straw, planting or digging.
Group of children in a wooded area, one boy hanging from a tree branch, others standing nearby, some smiling and making gestures.
Children working in a garden or farm with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky.
Children and adults harvesting vegetables in a garden with greenery and small buildings in the background.
Children working together outdoors on a farm, wearing gloves, with a girl in the center holding a string, and others bending down in a field under a cloudy sky.
A group of four young girls standing in a line inside a spacious room with wooden floors and ceiling, facing an adult woman. The room has a kitchen area in the background and is decorated in a cozy, rustic style with natural light coming through the
A group of children playing outdoors in a line, pulling each other by the shoulders during a sunny day at a rural outdoor location with a barn, parked vans, and a gravel ground.
A man in a plaid shirt demonstrates 3D printing to a group of children in a classroom or workshop setting.
Three children posing behind a decorated frame with colorful gems and a sign reading 'WBNS 2023/2024,' in front of a periodic table of the elements poster. The children are wearing sunglasses and colorful accessories, with one holding a leafy branch,
Two children standing in front of a basketball shooting game at a decorated indoor event. One boy is holding a basketball, and another girl is smiling nearby. There are red cups arranged on a ramp used for knocking them down, and a sign behind them t
Two women stand behind a table with toys, wearing costumes with white shirts, red suspenders, and red bow ties, inside a rustic wooden structure decorated with string lights and a red backdrop.
Four people, three girls and one boy, are resting outdoors on a gravel path next to green bushes and trees. One girl is sitting on the ground, holding a tennis ball, while the other two girls are sitting together and talking. The boy is lying on the
A man with a guitar playing for children in a wooded outdoor setting. The children are standing in a line, dressed in jackets and boots, listening to the man.
Two kids, a girl and a boy, are playing outdoors on a dirt patch. The girl is running with a ball, wearing colorful leggings and pink rain boots. The boy is chasing her, wearing a dark jacket and khaki pants.
A young girl with curly hair is sitting on the grass outdoors, drawing on a clipboard with a pencil. There are other people in the background, and the setting appears to be a park or open field.
A young girl with light brown hair and freckles, dressed in a black leather jacket, holding and looking at a colorful painted object in sunlight, with her eyes closed. In the background, there is a woman partially visible, and outdoor seating, possib
Logo with three stylized leaves in green and yellow colors arranged in a circular pattern.

Qualities of A Woodson Branch Education Experience.

A group of children and an adult sitting outside near a greenhouse on a sunny day in a rural setting.

Outdoor Immersion

Students spend up to 75% of their day learning under the canopy of trees or beside garden beds. They build shelters in the woods, conduct science experiments using native plants, and create art inspired by Appalachian landscapes.

A woman and a boy playing with a jump rope outdoors in a rural area on a sunny day.

Project-Based Curriculum

From designing a garden plot to building a solar-powered irrigation system, learners collaborate on meaningful projects that weave together STEM, eco-arts, and cultural traditions. This approach cultivates resilience, emotional intelligence, and a deep sense of purpose.

Children picking vegetables in a lush farm garden during daytime, with adults in the background.

Regenerative Agriculture Integration

Through our farm school model, students learn to sow, tend, and harvest vegetables, fruits, and herbs. They transform harvests into traditional medicines—elderberry syrup, fire cider, soothing salves—blending science, botany, and Appalachian healing arts.

A group of children participating in a tug-of-war game outdoors on a sunny day, with a rustic wooden building, parked vans, and hillside in the background.

Accessibility and Equity

Every child deserves engaging, high-quality education, regardless of income. That’s why WBNS operates on a sliding-scale tuition model—ensuring that a student’s zip code or family budget does not determine their future. Three transportation vans extend our reach up to an hour from campus, so geography is not a barrier to opportunity.

A group of five children in a forest, with one girl climbing a tree and the others posing and making gestures on the ground.

Outcomes

Graduates of WBNS don’t just pass tests—they leave with academic fluency, creative expression, ecological literacy, and a strong ethical foundation. They are prepared to lead, serve, and confront real-world challenges with collaboration, compassion, and clarity.

A woman and two young girls taking a close-up selfie outdoors, smiling, with trees and sky in the background.

ANNIE YORK, WBNS PARENT

My child seemed completely happy at public school and didn't want to change schools. After giving WBNS a try, I don't think there's any turning back! The level of happiness, security, self sufficiency and practical skills such as the ability and interest in dressing for the weather every day, have enriched all of our lives so much.

About Woodson Branch: Learning Naturally

Step into the daily rhythm of Woodson Branch Nature School, where K–8 students learn through hands-on exploration, creative projects, and outdoor adventures. Set in the heart of the mountains, this immersive experience nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Are you interested in enrolling in Woodson Branch Nature School?