Outdoor-based school in DC proper

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if the school I'm looking for actually exists - an outdoor-focused learning environment (kind of like Burgandy in Alexandria) but in DC proper. Strong preference for close to the Park (for commuting reasons). I am moving to DC with a kindergartener and have no interest in it being elite or anything like that. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Depending on age, Lowell is probably the closest.

Is traveling to the suburbs out of the question?

[Anonymous]

Agree w Lowell.

Now a million people will post and suggest creative minds or some public charter school that op will have zero chance of getting a lottery spot. They do this to preen, op, but don't be suckered by that move. Those schools aren't private and they're effectively not available

[Anonymous]

Sheridan - they have the mountain campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if the school I'm looking for actually exists - an outdoor-focused learning environment (kind of like Burgandy in Alexandria) but in DC proper. Strong preference for close to the Park (for commuting reasons). I am moving to DC with a kindergartener and have no interest in it being elite or anything like that. Thanks!

Capitol Hill Day School sounds like what you are looking for. They have a Field Education program. The kids go on at least one field trip a week according to whatever they are studying at the time. Capitol Hill is about at DC proper as you can get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if the school I'm looking for actually exists - an outdoor-focused learning environment (kind of like Burgandy in Alexandria) but in DC proper. Strong preference for close to the Park (for commuting reasons). I am moving to DC with a kindergartener and have no interest in it being elite or anything like that. Thanks!

Capitol Hill Day School sounds like what you are looking for. They have a Field Education program. The kids go on at least one field trip a week according to whatever they are studying at the time. Capitol Hill is about at DC proper as you can get.

CHDS is a fantastic program. Their field education is wonderful, but I'm assuming OP means outdoors in terms of outside in nature, not just outside of school. Many of the CHDS field trips are to other inside locations, and during those weeks the kids aren't getting a lot of exposure to nature, as they're playing on very typical urban playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if the school I'm looking for actually exists - an outdoor-focused learning environment (kind of like Burgandy in Alexandria) but in DC proper. Strong preference for close to the Park (for commuting reasons). I am moving to DC with a kindergartener and have no interest in it being elite or anything like that. Thanks!

Capitol Hill Day School sounds like what you are looking for. They have a Field Education program. The kids go on at least one field trip a week according to whatever they are studying at the time. Capitol Hill is about at DC proper as you can get.

CHDS is a fantastic program. Their field education is wonderful, but I'm assuming OP means outdoors in terms of outside in nature, not just outside of school. Many of the CHDS field trips are to other inside locations, and during those weeks the kids aren't getting a lot of exposure to nature, as they're playing on very typical urban playgrounds.

Ah ok. I see your point. I misunderstood what she meant by "outdoors."
I thought she just meant not in the traditional classroom sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if the school I'm looking for actually exists - an outdoor-focused learning environment (kind of like Burgandy in Alexandria) but in DC proper. Strong preference for close to the Park (for commuting reasons). I am moving to DC with a kindergartener and have no interest in it being elite or anything like that. Thanks!

Capitol Hill Day School sounds like what you are looking for. They have a Field Education program. The kids go on at least one field trip a week according to whatever they are studying at the time. Capitol Hill is about at DC proper as you can get.

CHDS is a fantastic program. Their field education is wonderful, but I'm assuming OP means outdoors in terms of outside in nature, not just outside of school. Many of the CHDS field trips are to other inside locations, and during those weeks the kids aren't getting a lot of exposure to nature, as they're playing on very typical urban playgrounds.

Ah ok. I see your point. I misunderstood what she meant by "outdoors."
I thought she just meant not in the traditional classroom sense.

It is equally possible that I misunderstood!

[Anonymous]

There isn't anything exactly what you want in DC, but there are fantastic outdoor options in the burbs! Washington Waldorf School has an outdoor kindergarten that I believe spends pretty much all their time outside.

[Anonymous]

Sheridan sounds like what you're looking for and the new Head is trying to refocus in - town program to feature Mountain Campus more and more in curriculum (The actual mountain campus in West Virginia btw and owned by Sheridan)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan sounds like what you're looking for and the new Head is trying to refocus in - town program to feature Mountain Campus more and more in curriculum (The actual mountain campus in West Virginia btw and owned by Sheridan)

West Virginia is not close to the park.

[Anonymous]

How about St. Columba's? How high do they go?

[Anonymous]

OP here - yes, I meant "outdoors" in the sense of being in nature, not just outside the classroom. Thanks for the suggestions! What about Lowell makes it outdoor focused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - yes, I meant "outdoors" in the sense of being in nature, not just outside the classroom. Thanks for the suggestions! What about Lowell makes it outdoor focused?

Lowell is a great program, and a good choice if you are looking for a progressive school. I wouldn't describe it as "outdoor focused", however.

I really don't think there's a program in DC proper that is similar to Burgundy. If you're willing to go to the Hill, Burgundy has a bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - yes, I meant "outdoors" in the sense of being in nature, not just outside the classroom. Thanks for the suggestions! What about Lowell makes it outdoor focused?

Lowell is a great program, and a good choice if you are looking for a progressive school. I wouldn't describe it as "outdoor focused", however.

I really don't think there's a program in DC proper that is similar to Burgundy. If you're willing to go to the Hill, Burgundy has a bus.

Agree, I would not say Lowell is "outdoor focused" but the kids do spend a lot of time outside and the grounds are beautiful with a creek running through it. There's going to be a new primary school playground built in the back and a new field where one of the unused buildings was demolished. So there's going to be even more outdoor space. Rock Creek Park is around the corner so the kids will take little nature trips based on what they are studying (butterflies, seasons, etc). Outdoor recess is twice a day.