SKY ISLAND SCHOOL
of Nature and the Arts
Inspiring Curiosity, Creativity, and Joy through Art and Exploration
At Sky Island, we draw inspiration from Montessori, Waldorf, and Finnish educational philosophies to cultivate well-balanced learners; children who are independent problem-solvers, emotionally intelligent, and academically strong. We believe education should nurture the whole child, blending structure with creativity and inquiry with connection.
Our unique approach brings learning to life by integrating academics with real-world exploration. Through hands-on projects, sensory rich experiences, and guided reflection, student build confidence, curiosity, and resilience. We emphasize both intellectual growth and social emotional development, helping children become thoughtful collaborators and self-directed thinkers.
With small class sizes capped at 12, each child receives meaningful one-on-one support. While much of our learning takes place outdoors, our thoughtfully designed, nature-inspired classrooms provide space for focus, creativity, and emotional regulation. Ensuring every child feels grounded, supported, and inspired.
Sky Island Subjects
The core disciplines are woven into every unit of the Origins Curriculum. Instead of teaching each subject in isolation, we blend literacy, math, science, social studies, mindfulness, movement, and the arts into hands-on, project-based experiences, making lessons deeper, more efficient, and far more engaging than traditional single subject classes. Each day, students joyfully rotate through yoga inspired movement, forest exploration, Spanish language practice, integrated biome-themed projects, and a rich menu of electives, including agriculture, art, theater, music & dance, culinary arts, and swimming & field sports. Learning happens seamlessly from morning to afternoon!
Movement - provides opportunities to take part in yoga-inspired movement, while engaging in mindful breathing to ground and center your student’s feelings and focus.
Reading - provides foundational skills and strategies for the study of language for your student to become a confident reader. Your student will be empowered to independently explore subjects that ignite their passions.
Writing - provides foundational skills and strategies for your student to meaningfully share ideas, express themselves, and connect with others and the world.
Culture & Society - provides a chance to explore ourselves and others through the study of human culture and history. This study pushes your student to think both critically and creatively, so they can imagine and take part in a better future.
Fine Arts - provides hands-on artistic exploration to help your student explore their internal and external worlds. This exploration helps your student practice and develop their own personal relationship with self-expression.
Nutrition - provides your student the opportunity to learn about how the body needs and uses nutrients to stay healthy. Thematic recipes offer a hands-on learning experience, exploration of global food culture, and an opportunity for meaningful connection.
Science - provides your student an outlet to discover and understand the world around them. Lessons and hands-on experiments deepen your student’s comprehension of how things work, and enhance their connection to the habitats and ecosystems that sustain us.
Mathematics - provides a right-brained approach to math, helping your student understand math in the context of the natural world. Lessons focus on developing understanding, opportunities for meaningful practice, and encouraging your student to apply what they have learned.
Mindfulness - provides your student space and guidance for calming the senses, increasing focus and attention, and bringing awareness to the present moment.
Why Origins Curriculum?
Holistic Learning
By integrating science, art, literacy, and mindfulness around each biome, students develop a well-rounded understanding of complex concepts. They might paint desert scenes while studying cactus biology or write poetry inspired by forest ecosystems, seeing how different disciplines connect. This multisensory approach deepens retention and nurtures both intellectual and emotional growth. Ultimately, holistic learning at Sky Island creates adaptable thinkers who draw connections across subjects.
Place-Based Exploration
Students dive into ecosystems (desert, forest, aquatic, grassland, and tundra) through hands-on activities like pond water sampling and prairie plant surveys. These real-world experiences make abstract lessons tangible and spark genuine curiosity. By interacting with community members, such as local farmers or native storytellers, learners gain cultural context and deeper respect for their surroundings. Place-based exploration transforms every outdoor outing into a rich educational journey.
Environmental Stewardship
Origins instills a sense of responsibility by highlighting how all living things are interconnected and impacted by human choices. Students track water cycles, study food webs, and engage in service projects, like planting native species, to see conservation in action. Sustainability lessons are woven into art projects, ensuring creativity always ties back to caring for the planet. In this way, young learners become thoughtful caretakers committed to community and ecological well-being.
Our Classes by Biome
-
![A colorful kindergarten classroom with a world map on the wall, decorated with hot air balloons and clouds. There are small desks and chairs, potted plants, a globe, and a striped circular rug.]()
World Explorers
Kindergarten will explore concepts in each biome to create a base understanding of the world ecosystems. They will join grades K-5 in daily forest exploration, yoga, and Spanish.
-
![Classroom with desert-themed mural, cactus decorations, potted plants, a lizard in a glass enclosure, and colorful educational decorations including a board labeled 'CIRCLE TIME', with desks, chairs, a purple bean bag, and a rainbow-patterned rug.]()
Desert Discoverers
First graders navigate the desert biome as they incorporate reading, writing, math, science, history & culture, art, mindfulness, and movement. They will join grades 1-5 in weekly specials rotating between dance, music, swimming, and field sports.
-
![Classroom with a forest mural, small desks, potted plants, a fish tank, a rainbow rug, and labeled as second grade.]()
Forest Navigators
Second graders learn about different forest biomes within their curriculum, as well as joining grades 2-5 in daily rotating electives. They include art, theater, cooking, animal agriculture, and gardening.
-
![Classroom decorated with an underwater theme featuring a large ocean mural with fish, a turtle, an octopus, and coral. There are six potted plants on benches along the walls, a teacher's desk with a fish tank, and a blue circular rug in the center.]()
Aquatic Voyagers
Third graders enjoy learning about aquatic biomes within daily curriculum and projects. Like the other grades, they also have access to daily yoga and Spanish. With daily elective rotations through art, theater, dance, cooking, animal agriculture, music, swimming, field sports, and gardening.
-
![Fourth grade classroom with a mural of a field and sky, hanging owl and leaf decorations, plants, a gecko terrarium, and classroom furniture.]()
Grassland Investigators
Fourth graders study grassland biomes within curriculum. Like all grades, they will have access to the daily yoga, forest exploration, Spanish, and also rotating electives.
-
![Empty classroom with snow-themed mountain mural, potted plants, and classroom furniture.]()
Tundra Adventurers
Fifth graders get to study the tundra within their own separate cabin as the big kids on campus. To celebrate their achievements, at the end of the year families are invited to tour Denali National Park with us in Alaska.
Our Partners & Supporters
We are honored to work alongside organizations and sponsors who share our mission to nurture joyful, resilient learners through nature-based education.