PRESENT IN THE WILDERNESS
A Charlottesville Private Elementary & Preschool
in the Forest
FOSTER A LOVE OF LEARNING
AWAKEN WONDER
FIND COMMUNITY
Cultivating connections between learning, spirituality & the natural world.
CBI Forest School’s classroom outside provides the opportunity for freedom within structure.
CBI Forest School’s outdoor classroom provides a private school in Charlottesville, VA for ages 18 months through 4th grade. We offer opportunities to experience the rhythms of Jewish life by connecting with the wonder and joy of our natural world.
We follow a Reggio Emilia framework, based on the belief that children are active learners, and our programs build on the interests of the children.
Through our explorations in the forest, children develop curiosity, creativity, both written and verbal communication, listening, negotiation, observation, and critical thinking skills.
Our curriculum evolves from observation of the children’s conversations, interests, and play.
Teachers and students collaborate to build a project-based program.
Children are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, find experts, and draw conclusions — creating a foundational love of learning that will carry throughout their lives.
Repairing the World Together through Outdoor Experiential Learning
“Our child has flourished at the school and in the outdoors.”
We knew, in choosing the school, that he would get much outside playtime, but we didn’t fully count on how much he would learn this year.
It is remarkable that the staff has managed to do all that they have with him while also enjoying and exploring the outdoors.
We could not recommend the school more highly, even for non-Jewish families like ours.
—Todd B, Elementary Parent
Afterclub
Afterclub gives students extended time for exploration and opportunities to create friendships across grades and age groups.
Whether we are creating a drum circle out of sticks, art with natural materials, constructing shelters, or making lavender iced tea, Afterclub gives students open creative adventure time sprinkled with special projects in the outdoors with a variety of ages.
AFTERCLUB DETAILS
For families who prefer an extended day at school, Afterclub offers an option to stay, play, and learn in the forest until 5:00 pm – with teachers they know and love.
Groups are separated by age:
18 mos–3 years
4–5 years
6–9 years
Community
More than academics.
Our weekly Havdalah and Shabbat celebrations offer our school community the chance to gather in full and mark the rhythms of the school week (beginnings and endings) while also connecting to Jewish identity.
When our community gathers, siblings are together, students see former classmates or teachers, and parents are welcome to join!
Tikkun Olam or “Taking Care of the World” is a significant theme at Forest School. Students contribute through efforts such as:
Our school-wide acorn collection for injured bears at the Virginia Wildlife Center
Protecting our resident geese during mating season through sign making and education
Practicing leave-no-trace principles around our school
In addition, we build our community through our family volunteers. This looks like parents and grandparents substitute teaching, cooking for Jewish holidays, or building garden beds together. Our families model what working together can create.
Community in action:
What is an Outdoor Classroom like?
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Less Screentime
Teachers and students use their surroundings as the classroom.
Whether learning about water science at the stream or using flower petals as the basis for counting, our teachers incorporate the natural world into their curriculum from toddlerhood through 4th Grade. -
Perseverance
Praciticing self-confidence and capability from the earliest age.
Learning outside in nature offers constant opportunities for children to practice perseverance, sticking to something because it is important — even when it is difficult to do. This gives our students a sense of accomplishment.
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Working Together
Collaboration between teachers, parents, and children is essential to our environment.
Our small class size and being in the outdoor environment give our students plentiful opportunities for cooperative and project-based learnin — leading to relationship-building tools and empathy-building.
Wondering what kids wear?
Or how they transition to a more traditional school? Maybe where the little ones nap?