"EdenAcres has been a lifesaver for us, especially during Covid! I wasn’t sure if my six-year-old was going to be OK being outside the whole day, but she loves it because the programs are so great. She comes home every time with stories about the forest and our ecosystem. We also love that she’s able to interact with kids from different age groups. I highly recommend the program at EdenAcres!"

"My child comes home from EdenAcres beaming, every time! His eyes sparkle as he tells me about their days adventure. Fostering a deep connection with nature is of utmost importance to us, something EdenAcres is pro at doing! We love it!"

Forest Explorers
Robins Class
Ages 5-7

At WildRoots Nature School, we believe that children are natural learners, driven by curiosity, play, and the innate desire to explore the world around them. Our Forest Kinder and First Grade program nurtures this intrinsic motivation, seamlessly blending child-led discovery with gentle, intentional guidance from instructors.

A Living, Breathing Classroom

We have chosen the forest as our classroom because research continues to affirm what we know intuitively—time in nature is essential for healthy cognitive, emotional, and social development. Through immersive, place-based education, children develop resilience, critical thinking, and a deep sense of environmental stewardship.

Academics in Action

Our emergent, nature-based curriculum integrates early literacy, numeracy, cultural studies, and the sciences into daily experiences, making learning both meaningful and joyful. Whether measuring the height of a fallen tree, listening for phonetic sounds in bird calls, or using storytelling to process their discoveries, children engage in hands-on, inquiry-driven learning that builds strong academic foundations.

Skills for Life

Through play, collaborative projects, and real-world problem-solving, children at Earthsong:
✔ Develop executive functioning skills like focus, adaptability, and self-regulation
✔ Strengthen communication and social-emotional skills through cooperative play
✔ Cultivate creativity and confidence by exploring open-ended challenges
✔ Build ecological awareness and a sense of place by interacting with their natural environment

At Wild Roots Nature School, we foster whole-child development, honoring each child’s unique learning journey while nurturing their sense of wonder, belonging, and connection to the world around them.

We believe that children are natural learners, driven by curiosity, play, and hands-on discovery. Our Forest Explorers program fosters this intrinsic motivation by weaving academics, traditional skills, and social-emotional learning into a rich, nature-immersive experience.

A Dynamic Blend of Structure & Self-Discovery

Each day, children move between instructor-guided activities and self-directed exploration, both essential for developing confidence, resilience, and critical thinking. Through play, storytelling, handcrafts, and teamwork, children strengthen their hearts, hands, and minds while deepening their connection to the natural world.

The forest is our classroom, providing the perfect setting to engage in real-world, experiential learning. Whether tracking wildlife, tending a fire, navigating with a compass, or weaving with natural fibers, children develop problem-solving skills, ecological awareness, and a strong sense of self-reliance.

Academics in Action: Learning in the Natural World

Our place-based, emergent curriculum integrates early literacy, numeracy, cultural studies, and the sciences into daily rhythms, ensuring that learning is meaningful, engaging, and connected to children’s interests and experiences.

Science & Inquiry: Observing ecosystems, exploring interdependence, using field guides and magnifiers, and engaging in experiments that bring physics, botany, and ecology to life.
Math in Motion: Measuring tree heights, estimating distances, building structures, and working with patterns in nature.
Literacy & Storytelling: Keeping nature journals, composing poetry, and using oral storytelling to process discoveries.
Handcrafts & Traditional Skills: Weaving with willow and grass, crafting with natural materials, and building cob structures.
Wilderness & Survival Skills: Fire-building, shelter-making, orienteering, animal tracking, and learning about native plants.
Social-Emotional Growth: Strengthening collaboration, emotional intelligence, and leadership through group problem-solving and reflection.

Rooted in Seasonal Rhythms

Our program follows the natural cycles of the year, adapting daily activities to the seasons, children's developmental stages, and emerging interests. Whether we’re constructing habitats, practicing primitive skills, or playing games that deepen ecological understanding, we remain fully immersed in the elements—rain or shine.

At Wild Roots, we know that true learning happens when education is alive, relevant, and connected to the world around us. Our program is open to all who seek to give their child a nurturing, nature-immersed experience that builds confidence, leadership, wonder, and deep-rooted stewardship—all while having fun outdoors!

Daily Rhythm**

9:00 - 9:15 Drop-off

9:15 - 9:30 Forest Exploration

9:30 - 10:00 Morning Circle & Movement

10:00 - 10:30 Snack

10:30 - 12:00 Forest Exploration/Ancestral Skills/Project

12:00 - 1:30 Lunch & Free Play

1:30 - 2:30 Storytime/Handwork/Project

2:30 - 2:45 Clean-up & Closing Circle

2:45 - 3:00 Pick-up

**The daily rhythm described above is an example of the flow of the day. Instructors practice emergent and child-centered learning, meaning that we adjust and modify with the changing needs and interests of the children while incorporating in whatever the forest or farm has to offer on that specific day.

Our Staff

Our Nature Educators come from a variety of backgrounds including Waldorf education, natural sciences, outdoor education abroad, and more. No matter their educational background, all are experienced and passionate about sharing nature with children. Instructors are certified in CPR/First Aid and epipen administration. Staff ratios for Forest Explorers are no larger than 8 students with 1 teacher. All adults in the program have passed full FBI background checks.

When

Choose from a 1, 2, 3 or 4 day/week rhythm.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:00 am-3:00 pm

First Day of School: 9/8/2025

Last Day of School: 5/22/2025

Where

Hillsboro Forest School Campus @ 16528 Johnson Road, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (use this link for forest school entrance)

How Much?

We use an equitable pricing model we call Choose-Your-Tuition. This model includes three options for families to choose from: Sliding Scale; Standard Rate; and Pay-It-Forward. Click here to learn more!

Standard Rate Tuition

3 days/week - $1,017/month, Sept. - May

4 days/week - $1,356/month, Sept. - May

Equity in Education is one of our core values. Our tuition model puts this value into action. It is one way that we are increasing access to alternative education for families across the economic spectrum. We invite you to join us in this vision of a better, more equitable world!

Which Tuition Option Fits Your Family?
Selecting the right tuition tier means reflecting on your family’s financial reality

Use the following prompts to help determine the best tuition option for your family. Consider which category reflects your current financial reality.

🌿 Pay-It-Forward
Consider choosing this tier if you:

Earn above the adequate standard of living for your area (per the Economic Policy Institute).

Have significant assets, such as investments, inheritance, or a paid-off home.

Live partially or fully off unearned income (family support, trust funds, gifts).

Can choose to work less or not at all due to financial flexibility.

Have a high earning potential due to education, race, or class background—even if you aren’t currently using it.

Have expendable income for frequent travel, dining, entertainment, or luxury expenses.

By choosing this tier, you help sustain the Sliding Scale option for families with financial need.

🌲 Standard Rate
This rate reflects the true cost of our programs. It’s for families who:

Earn an adequate standard of living (as defined by the Economic Policy Institute).

Can afford regular discretionary spending (eating out, entertainment, travel).

Do not experience race, ethnicity, gender, or disability-related barriers to income.

Have some student loan debt, but it does not create financial hardship.

Own or rent a home and can consistently meet financial obligations.

Have a stable career path with opportunities for growth.

If tuition is a sacrifice (cutting back on extras) but not a hardship (impacting basic needs), this is the right tier for you.

🍃 Sliding Scale
If paying tuition would create a significant financial hardship, this option is here for you. Consider this tier if you:

Earn below the adequate standard of living for your area.

Have medical expenses, debt, or caregiving responsibilities that impact your financial stability.

Experience barriers to earning due to disability, chronic illness, or immigration status.

Receive public assistance or rely on community aid to meet basic needs.

Have little or no family financial support or assets.

Are an elder with limited income.

If paying tuition would cause you to struggle with essentials like food, housing, or healthcare, please use this tier.

Honesty, Trust & Community Support
Our Choose Your Tuition model is built on trust and community care. We do not require income verification, and we trust families to choose the rate that best reflects their circumstances.

By selecting the tuition tier that aligns with your financial reality, you help us create a sustainable, equitable model that supports all families and our dedicated educators.

If you're unsure which tier is right for you, please reach out—we're happy to help! 💚

Attend a Charter School??

We accept school funds from many charter and online charter schools!

Submit your 2025/26 application!