Five Acre School Tour/Adventure

I hope you are sitting down, because this is a school worth talking about!

My summer Professional Development has consisted of researching as many of the teaching practices and pedagogues out there as possible. It seems that our world is ripe with innovative, active and conscientious practices, but independent of each other, are these classrooms missing the mark? Is it possible to create an education system that incorporates the unique and thoughtful philosophies of:

• Montessori
• Waldorf
• agriculture
• ecology
• formal education
• indigenous
• autodidactic
• vocational
• Multiple Intelligences
• Integrated
• Integral
• Unschooling

Can any one style of teaching reach students adequately? The more I looked into the types of systems out there, the more questions arose. In an effort to discern at least one possible solution, I set out for Sequim, Washington to visit Five Acre School.

No sooner was Victoria behind me and Washington coast  before me than I was launched into my scholastic adventures. With the stunning Olympic Mountains as a backdrop to this beautiful valley, Sequim county is a sprawling countryside that has the lucky chance of running along the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge– 636 acres and the longest natural sandspit in America.

Less than three weeks had passed since I had gone out on a limb and called the school after hearing about it from some friends. To tell you the truth, the school just looked too good to be true when I looked at the website. Outdoor-orientated education, gardening, animal care, individual learning styles… it sounded like just the school I have been searching for. No sooner had I sent the email than I received a much anticipated reply from Autumn, the new owner of Five Acre School, informing me that they would be delighted to have me visit.

The school was started in 1994, when founders Bill and Joanita, both school teachers, wanted to create an alternative to the public system they had been working in; a place where “children ha[d] room to grow.” The school was born out of several philosophies: Montessori and Waldorf among them, but essentially a desire to provide hands-on education that allowed students to nurture their natural talents, and to learn to work cooperatively. It was truly the latter which formed the foundation for the school. Over the years, the building grew from a single room cob building (build by Bill Jevne) to a multi-room complex for children ranging from preschool to (for the first year, this year) grade seven.

When I met with Autumn in the schools (very) humble office, it was like I was meeting an old friend. She launched into a tour of the school. In the first classroom we visited, the Pre-k/Primary Class. The first thing that struck me were the Wardolf/Montesorri stations set up throughout the room. The space was neat and orderly, with wooden blocks, counting manipulatives, a library, nature station (complete with microscopes and magnifying glasses), a washing station, art station, and just about everything you could think of to inspire your students to think and learn and grow!

The next classroom is set up for grades K, 1 and 2 (Discovery Class). As with the Primary room, the Discovery class was laid out in an open space, with shelf upon shelf of wonderful manipulatives and resources. The room was notably well-lit, with windows looking out on the playground and garden.

Two things really struck me about this space: the first was a space dedicated to the students “theme of choice.” In past years students have recreated this space into a jungle, a cafe, and grandma’s house. The work area becomes a springboard for the students spring play. In other words, the work that students embark on is centered around their ideas and their development. And this brings me to the second revelation: this school absolutely projected a sense of student-centered learning. From the height of the stations to the open layout of each room, it was evident that students worked independently and in small groups, with the teacher as facilitator.

The third classroom that I visited was the 3-6 Explorers Class. What was interesting about this room was that it had a completely different vibe to the room, as though it was more expectant than the others. Autumn explained that the kids would come in September and make the space their own; they would decide how to set up the room. I was really taken back, thinking of all the endless hours I had put into making my classroom just right for the students; I recalled teachers who had spent hundreds of their own dollars to buy posters and boarders and wall paper.

It seemed almost selfish to me, to think that I had created a classroom in my own image of what was right for the kids. What a great idea letting them create their own space. What an incredible start to the school year to collaborate and plan and design together, to create the workspace that suits YOUR needs, as a student. Henceforth, my students will be excited to know that they can create their own classroom work environment!

It should be noted that the school would next like to add an “intermediate” classroom, as the school is expanding to grade seven, and perhaps beyond.

Next on the tour was the great outdoors: tunnels in the hillside, a sandbox with shovels and wheelbarrows, a re-furbished jungle gym, and 636 acres of Nature Refuge. There was nothing in this playground that I didn’t love. It was simple, economical, and thought up by kids. I have to say, the thought of throwing some pipes into a little hill thrilled me.

“Big Blue”

 Student murals

The horse track/ running track/ marimba stage

Wetland project with lookout 

The sandbox/ tool shed. Students also use drainpipe, gutters and other materials to create water systems, mining troughs and, well, basically anything!

The students use recovered pallets to make forts, a pirate ships and basically anything their heart desires!

The final classroom was the band room. Five Acre School boasts an incredible marimba band, “Sound Waves”. Each year the students perform in house, at public events, and have even produced their own CD’s each year. I was able to listen in the car when I left the school and found myself bouncing in my seat to  incredible little voices and very talented musicians!

Suddenly it dawned on me that I had found something unique, and which I hope to replicate in my own classrooms to come. I cannot wait to head back once school is in session to check out the school in action! There is no substitute for internet research like seeing an amazing school in action. Keep your eyes open for Five Acre School Tour/Adventure Part II, coming sometime in October or November!