Our Philosophy:
We believe that classical education is the highest form of education a child can receive as it is the formation of the whole person as a good in and of itself- not for a trade, degree, or job, but because it is right that our souls are ordered toward the Good, True, and Beautiful. Ultimately, the end of classical education is the formation of a soul towards wisdom and virtue. And it does so, firstly, by respecting the child as a child, or as Mason stresses, as born persons.
A soul must be nourished in order to be cultivated. Children, as natural truth seekers, nature lovers, questioners, explorers, learners, and movers should be nourished with all the beautiful and wonderful things God’s creation has to offer. As a classical forest school, we believe that through experiencing nature, students will be oriented towards the Good, True, and Beautiful.
Philosophy in action:
Through classical pedagogy, Preserve will educate the body, mind, and soul of the students. As a forest school, students will spend the majority of the day outdoors. With nature as our classroom, students will learn to attend to and care for the world we live in, specifically the place we call home. Students will uncover the truths of nature through fables and stories, the goodness of nature through psalms and poetry, and the beauty of nature through art and song. They will explore and discover the natural world through play, story, poetry, practical arts, fine arts, and nature study. Their day will consist of stories and narration, poems and memorization, play and investigation, hands on learning and attention.
Four Pillars of Preserve:
Rooted, to anchor students in the love of their place
Traditional, to shape students in the wisdom of the past
Holistic, to nourish the mind, body, and soul for growth
Reverent, to cultivate wonder and care for God’s creation
