Spaces for Expression and Confidence

The Heart of Community

At the center of the school is the Community Plaza, where students gather each morning to share stories and ideas. Your child might talk about observing a butterfly at home, sparking curiosity from peers across grade levels. These moments help children feel heard and valued—and build confidence in expressing themselves.

Presenting with Purpose

In the Learning Black Box—a dedicated presentation space—students share their work with classmates, teachers, and community members. These aren’t polished performances—they’re honest conversations that help students explain their thinking, respond to feedback, and grow as communicators.

Spaces for Thinking and Collaboration

Where Ideas Take Shape

In the Visual Thinking Lab, students work together to solve problems, sketching ideas on large whiteboard walls. Math problem feel less like solo struggles than a shared challenge.

From Ideas to Impact

At The Collider, our innovation hub, students apply what they learn to real-world challenges—from clean water to sustainability. Working in teams, they connect with experts, build prototypes, and begin to see how their ideas can create meaningful change.

Big Thinking, Big Building

Designed for middle and upper school students, The Transformer is where big ideas become real. Here, students take on large-scale design projects with heavy duty tools—building engines, complex machines, and prototypes that challenge them to think like engineers. It’s a space for bold experimentation and the kind of making that prepares students for real-world innovation.

Spaces for Movement and Exploration

Learning in Motion

In the Cognition Circle, students walk, move, and act out ideas while learning. Whether they’re exploring geometry through movement or reenacting historical moments, they’re encouraged to learn in ways that feel natural. Research shows kids retain more when they’re physically engaged—and this space is designed to support that.

Creativity Meets Literacy

In the Story Lab and Library, students bring ideas to life—writing stories on interactive walls, building projects inspired by books, and combining language with creativity in fun, hands-on ways.

Spaces for Wellness and Growth

A Quiet Place to Grow Inside, Too

In the Reflective Cave, children take time for emotional learning. Here, they pause to identify their feelings, reflect on challenges, and understand their own growth. It’s a calming space that helps kids become more self-aware, resilient, and ready to take on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Learning Spaces

Where are the traditional classrooms? How do children learn without defined classroom spaces?

We've replaced separate classrooms with interconnected learning zones—think of it like having different areas of your home serve different purposes without walls between every room. The Inquiry Grove functions as our main work area, the Imagination Loft serves as our library, and the Gathering Ring is where we come together for lessons. Children do learn effectively this way, but I'll be honest: it requires more intentional teaching and classroom management than when walls do some of the organizing for you. Some parents find it takes time to trust that real learning is happening without the familiar classroom setup they remember.

Student Needs & Differentiation

How do you accommodate children who learn better with traditional desk-and-chair setups?

We absolutely provide traditional seating options because some children genuinely focus better this way. Tables and chairs are available throughout our learning zones, and children can choose these setups when they need them. However, children who strongly prefer this arrangement sometimes feel like they're missing out on the variety around them, or conversely, feel distracted by all the other options. We've found that most children benefit from experiencing different learning positions, but some consistently return to traditional seating because that's simply how they learn best.

My child has ADHD. Won't all this movement and flexibility make it harder for them to focus?

This really depends on your child's specific needs and where they are in developing self-regulation skills. Many children with ADHD do benefit tremendously from being able to move, change positions, and have sensory input through our Movement Trail and varied seating options. However, some children with ADHD become overwhelmed by too many choices and need more external structure to help them focus. The key is whether your child has developed enough self-awareness to choose what helps them, or if they still need adults to structure their environment. We work closely with families to determine what works, but it's not automatically better for every child with attention challenges.

Safety & Logistics

Won't children lose their belongings without assigned desks and storage spaces?

This is a real challenge. Children do lose things more frequently without assigned desks, especially at the beginning of the year. We spend significant time teaching organization systems and have backup supplies available. Personal cubbies help, but they're not as convenient as having everything right at your desk. We build extra time into our routines for gathering and organizing materials, and accept that developing these independence skills takes time and patience.

Transition & Adaptation

Won't my child be unprepared for structured, test-based environments they'll face later?

We don't avoid structure or assessment—we just implement them differently. Children still take tests, complete assignments with deadlines, and learn to follow directions. However, you're right that they may need extra support adjusting to high-stakes testing environments and rigid time constraints. We do incorporate traditional assessment methods periodically to ensure children can perform in these formats when needed. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills they develop here often help them excel academically, but they may need coaching on test-taking strategies and sitting still for extended periods.

What if we move and my child has to attend a conventional school? Will they struggle with the transition?

Honestly, yes—there likely will be some adjustment challenges. Children accustomed to movement, choice, and collaborative learning may find traditional "sit still and listen" environments restrictive. They might struggle with raising hands to speak, waiting in lines, or working in isolation. However, most children are remarkably adaptable. We provide transition support and documentation of your child's learning preferences to help new teachers understand their needs. The independence and self-direction they develop often become assets once they adjust to new expectations.

Educational Philosophy & Real-World Readiness

Are you preparing children for the real world or creating unrealistic expectations about learning environments?

This gets to the heart of different philosophies about education. We believe we're preparing children for a rapidly changing world where adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are increasingly valuable. Many modern workplaces actually resemble our learning environment more than traditional classrooms—flexible spaces, project-based work, collaboration across teams. However, you're right that children will also encounter rigid, hierarchical environments throughout their lives. We try to balance innovative learning with teaching children how to succeed in various settings, but our primary focus is on developing future-ready skills rather than compliance with traditional systems.

Our Learning Spaces

Where Learning Sparks Curiosity and Growth