Featured School of the Week: EdenAcres Nature School

From our friends at EdenAcres Nature School:

Welcome to EdenAcres Nature School where we’re on a mission to create curious, confident, and compassionate young learners. Our unique, child-centered philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a learning experience that nurtures their growth in a holistic way — through exploration, play, and hands-on discovery in the natural world.

Philosophy: EdenAcres embraces an inclusive, nature-based learning philosophy that is neuro-affirming and supports each child’s unique development. We are dedicated to fostering the whole child — socially, emotionally, and academically — within an environment that encourages a lifelong love of learning.

Size and Scope: Serving ~60 students annually, EdenAcres provides small class sizes, cultivating a tight-knit, supportive community where children thrive.

Age Range: Programs for kids ages 3 to 15, with developmentally tailored experiences that encourage curiosity, self-expression, and resilience at every stage.

Programs:

• Little Wonders is a nature preschool for ages 3-5, where young learners are introduced to a world of outdoor play and discovery, fostering early skills in science, math, and art through hands-on activities.
• PDX Forest Preschool welcomes children ages 3-5 in Portland’s Washington Park, promoting social-emotional growth and a love for nature through play-based learning in an urban forest setting.
• Forest Explorers (ages 5-7) builds foundational skills in problem-solving and social-emotional growth, blending instructor-led and self-directed play that engages children in nature-based learning.
• Forest School immerses ages 8-12 in a rich 40-acre forest environment where a well-rounded curriculum emphasizes environmental awareness, resilience, and social-emotional skills.
• Farm School offers ages 5-12 a permaculture-based learning experience where students engage with sustainable farming and environmental cycles, balancing structured and child-led activities.
• Forest Keepers Guild (ages 12-15) invites teens to explore the mythical world of Hollowcroft Nest, where they can join one of three guilds: Creators, Mages, or Adventurers. In this dynamic, storytelling-rich environment, students learn primitive skills, native flora and fauna identification, wildcrafting, and more. Each guild offers its own unique path of exploration, discovery, and mastery.

Locations: Learning takes place across three vibrant outdoor campuses — Duncan Farm in Gales Creek, EdenAcres Forest Campus in Hillsboro, and in Portland’s Washington Park — each offering distinct natural settings and learning opportunities.

Why Choose EdenAcres?

Hands-On Learning: At EdenAcres, we balance instructor-led activities with emergent, child-led learning. Our adaptive curriculum embraces the spontaneity and curiosity that come naturally to children. We observe and listen to our students, allowing student interests to shape the learning journey. By combining the structure of our seasonal curriculum with the freedom of child-led exploration, we create a learning environment that is both rigorous and responsive, sparking meaningful engagement with each new discovery.

Inclusive and Equitable: EdenAcres prioritizes access and equity. We aim to reduce financial barriers to high-quality education for all families through our unique Choose-Your-Tuition model. We also focus on creating inclusive, neuro-affirming learning spaces.

Nature Immersion: Our programs allow children to explore the world around them in depth, encouraging a strong sense of place and environmental stewardship. We are committed to helping each child build a meaningful relationship with nature.

Community Focus: Rooted in Washington County’s diverse community, EdenAcres partners with local organizations to serve families from a variety of backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and celebrating our area’s rich diversity. Beyond our nature-based school programs, EdenAcres hosts annual events and seasonal celebrations, offering families a place to gather, connect, and celebrate.

A History of Community and Environmental Education

Founded with a deep commitment to sustainability and outdoor education, EdenAcres has served Washington County families for over a decade. Our diverse programs encompass school-day learning, seasonal events, community workshops, farm markets, environmental restoration, and regenerative farming—all thoughtfully designed to enrich our community and promote sustainable living.

Learn More

EdenAcres invites interested families to get a taste of our programs with a tour or trial day at Nature School. For more information or to schedule a visit, explore our website at www.edenacres.org or reach out to us by phone or email.