Philosophy and Structure
Our goal is to purposefully engage students in nature with focused reflection to facilitate increased academic skills, critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and a better understanding of self and role in the world. We endeavor to provide students with a personalized learning experience that integrates STEAM education and civic engagement.
Open House Video Introduction
Our program is intended for families who want authentic real life learning that occurs in the great outdoors two days a week using hands-on, place-based inquiry learning with targeted instruction in science and social studies as well as student choice in art, PE, leadership, outdoor and life skills, and more. Families provide intentional instruction in language arts and math throughout the week.
Who is a good fit for MOS?
Students who are best served in this setting will:
- Participate joyfully in the outdoors in all kinds of weather.
- Benefit from project and place-based learning.
- Embrace choice in learning activities.
- Respond well to mixed-age groupings.
- Collaborate and cooperate.
- Receive strong math and ELA instruction at home.
Families best served at MOS are committed to:
- focused instruction at home throughout the week, specifically in language arts and math
- helping your student reach grade level standards
- collaboration with mentor teachers
- encouraging curiosity and an appreciation for nature
- supporting a growing stewardship and leadership mindset in their student
Due to safety concerns in the outdoors, students who struggle with defiance, aggression, and/or leaving a classroom setting without permission may not be a good fit for this program.
What makes MOS unique?
The MOS school day takes place at Camp Dart-Lo which has 51 acres of natural habitat nestled along the Little Spokane River. This environment is rich in diverse ecology and history. Students at MOS spend the majority of their school days immersed in the outdoors - reading under the trees, conducting science experiments using place-based learning, and writing journal entries that exemplify their interdisciplinary learning experiences.
What’s the role of the mentor teacher?
- Monitor monthly progress based on grade level power standards, providing professional guidance, feedback, and interventions when needed, in areas where your student is not achieving grade level standards.
- Provide an awareness of state power standards and resources for clear guidance on how to teach to those standards.
- Offer support in selecting appropriate, district-approved curriculum and educational materials.
What’s the role of the parent educator?
- Choose your own district-approved “research based curriculum” based on your family goals and student needs.
- Implement a flexible learning schedule in a comfortable home environment.
- Deliver essential ELA and math instruction at home and support student learning in science and social studies with materials provided by the teacher.
- Help your child achieve grade level benchmarks.
- Evaluate coursework, provide feedback, reteach until mastery is achieved, and provide individualized interventions as needed.
What’s the role of the student?
Students are the purpose of our community. But they also play an important part in building our community’s culture. These four simple guidelines help create a harmonious learning environment for all our students:
- Be kind. Everyone who walks through our doors, is expected to always treat others with kindness.
- Give your best effort. We don’t expect students to be perfect or have all the right answers. But we do expect you to try your best in everything you do.
- Respond quickly to adult requests for cooperation and participation. If any adult in our program asks any student to cooperate, we need to know you will follow directions quickly and without argument.
- Be responsible for our space and your belongings. Keep track of stuff, clean up afterwards, and help beautify our surroundings.