The Founding Cohort
A year of meaningful learning, real responsibility, and genuine belonging.
For families seeking something deeper than traditional school, The Founding Cohort offers a small, highly personalized learning community where children grow academically, socially, emotionally, and practically through authentic experiences rooted in nature and community.
Limited to just four learners during our inaugural year.
Program Snapshot
Ages
Approximately 9–13
Cohort Size
Maximum of 4 learners
Schedule
Monday–Thursday
Program Length
Mid-September through May
Learning Style
Project-Based · Nature-Based · Standards-Aligned
Setting
Farm · Forest · Workshop · Community
Portfolio
Included
Progress Reports
Included
School Year Calendar
Four-Day Program · Monday–Thursday
September 14, 2026 – May 28, 2027
Program Year
2026–2027
Fall Break
Nov 25–27, 2026
Thanksgiving Week
Winter Break
Dec 18 – Jan 15
2026–2027
Spring Break
Mar 29 – Apr 2, 2027
Easter Week
Program Pricing
Enroll by term or commit to the full year and save.
Fall Term
Sept 14 – Dec 17
Mon–Thu · Resumes Nov 30 after Thanksgiving
48 days total · $50 per day
$2,400
Winter Term
Jan 18 – Mar 25
Mon–Thu
40 days total · $50 per day
$2,000
Spring Term
Apr 5 – May 28
Mon–Thu · Concludes Friday, May 28
32 days total · $50 per day
$1,600
Best Value
Full Year Commitment
All three terms · September through May
$5,800
Save $200 vs. enrolling term by term
Who It's For
Children approximately ages 9–13 who are ready to:
- Commit to a four-day-a-week full term schedule
- Learn through meaningful projects
- Spend significant time outdoors
- Build confidence through real work
- Strengthen academic foundations
- Develop responsibility and independence
- Become part of a small learning community
Whether your child is homeschooled, enrolled in an umbrella program, or seeking a more personalized educational experience, this program provides structure without sacrificing curiosity.
What Makes This Program Different?
"How do we get children through the curriculum?"
"How do we help children become capable human beings?"
Everything we do is built around the Four Roots of Learning:
Curiosity & Understanding
Learning begins with questions.
Children investigate meaningful problems, conduct research, explore ideas, and make connections across subjects.
Capability & Contribution
Children learn by doing.
Cooking. Building. Planning. Designing. Problem solving. Stewardship. Real work that matters.
Community & Connection
Children learn how to communicate, collaborate, lead, listen, and resolve conflict.
They become contributing members of a supportive learning community.
Character, Identity & Purpose
Perhaps the most important root.
Children gradually discover who they are becoming by setting goals, reflecting on their growth, overcoming challenges, and contributing something meaningful to the world around them.
How the Week Works
Independent Learning Day
Learners work from home using personalized learning plans created by our guides. Assignments may include reading, writing, mathematics, research, project planning, journaling, home responsibilities, family interviews, and nature observations.
Mentor & Cohort Day
Our Founding Cohort gathers together. This day focuses on reviewing Monday's independent work, individualized coaching, academic workshops, project planning, reflection, field studies, community discussions, and occasional educational field trips.
Learning Expedition Days
The Founding Cohort is joined by participants enrolled in our public Learning Expeditions. Together they work on authentic, hands-on projects that serve both learning and community — woodworking, outdoor kitchen construction, ecological restoration, gardening, cooking, engineering challenges, community service, and seasonal farm work.
A Typical Day
Personalized Learning
Each learner receives:
- Individual learning goals
- Standards-aligned academic planning
- Progress tracking
- Ongoing observation
- Family communication
- Personalized feedback
- Evidence-based documentation
- A growing portfolio of work
Rather than relying solely on tests, we document learning through authentic work, demonstrations of understanding, reflections, conversations, projects, and meaningful accomplishments.
What Learners Leave With
By the end of the year, children don't simply complete another grade level. They become more capable.
- Stronger reading, writing, and mathematics skills
- Greater independence
- Confidence tackling unfamiliar problems
- Teamwork and leadership experience
- Conflict resolution skills
- Communication skills
- Practical building experience
- Cooking skills
- Stewardship habits
- Project portfolios
- Documented academic growth
- Meaningful friendships
- Pride in what they have accomplished
- A clearer understanding of who they are becoming
Family Partnership
Families are essential partners in this journey. Regular communication, progress updates, celebrations of learning, and shared expectations help create consistency between home and the farm. Together, we cultivate children who are increasingly capable, compassionate, curious, and confident.
Ready to Join the Founding Cohort?
Our inaugural year is intentionally small. With only four learner spaces available, every child becomes an important part of helping shape the culture and traditions of Foothill Frolic Farm & Forest School. If this learning environment feels like the right fit for your family, we invite you to begin the enrollment conversation.
Enroll Now