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The Gilbert Nature School Difference
Our Teachers
At Gilbert Nature School, we have an approximately one teacher for every eight students. Our team is made up of adventurous, expressive, and intelligent humans who are passionate about living life to its fullest and making a meaningful contribution to society. We model respectful interactions, curiosity about the world around us, and empowered problem solving while creating a nurturing and supportive learning space for all of our students.
Inquiry-Based Learning Our program is centered around interactive learning experiences that foster connections between teachers and students, students and their peers, and students and their environments. We are proud to offer a place-based education that immerses students in the unique ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert in Gilbert, AZ. Each project begins by engaging students in a conversation about what they are curious to learn. From there, we guide them in discovering answers to their questions, often through hands-on project-based learning that explores the natural world and the community around us. The final step is reflecting on the learning journey, turning these experiences into lasting memories. Throughout this process, children learn to ask more thoughtful, meaningful questions and develop creative ways to find solutions. Above all, this approach teaches them one of the most valuable skills: how to think independently.
Narrative Evaluations
At Gilbert Nature School, we recognize that a child’s growth extends far beyond test scores or grades. We believe parents need a deeper understanding of how their child engages with peers, their cognitive and academic strengths, true passions, ability to self-reflect, and areas where they may need support. Unlike traditional report cards, our approach involves narrative evaluations that provide detailed insights and observations from our teachers. These evaluations offer a more comprehensive view of a child’s development. We regularly meet with parents to discuss their child’s progress and explore ways we can work together to support their learning journey. These narrative evaluations are also the foundation for creating a personalized, multi-year learning plan tailored to each child's needs.
Fresh Air and Freedom of Movement
At Gilbert Nature School, we believe in the power of fresh air and the freedom to move. Research consistently shows that spending time outdoors not only supports physical health but also enhances cognitive, social, and emotional development. When children are free to explore and engage with the natural world, they experience increased creativity, improved concentration, and better problem-solving skills.
Outdoor environments encourage physical activity, which is essential for developing strong muscles, coordination, and motor skills. But it’s not just about exercise. Studies have found that outdoor learning spaces can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and help children develop a greater sense of well-being. These benefits are particularly profound when children have the freedom to move, climb, and explore at their own pace.
We’ve designed our program to allow children to spend their days outside, interacting with nature and each other in meaningful ways. This freedom fosters independence, self-confidence, and a deeper connection to the environment. Whether running, climbing, or simply observing the world around them, students gain valuable experiences that support their overall growth, making learning not only more enjoyable but also more effective.
Our Curriculum at Gilbert Nature School
Wildlife Watching
Montessori Academics
Get up close and personal with nature's magnificent creatures. Our students spend time observing a variety of wildlife including wild rabbits, water fowl, birds of prey (Cooper's hawks! Bald eagles!), a variety of insects and arachnids, and more. Students draw and take notes in nature journals, practice tracking and identifying scat, and deep-dive into biology while they learn about the amazing creatures they discover.
Montessori Academics
Montessori Academics
Our academic program is based on the teaching of Dr. Maria Montessori. A true Montessori school, Gilbert Nature School emphasizes independence, child-led learning, and provides a beautiful learning environment that inspires students to learn more about the world around them.
Our afternoon program provides the carefully structured Language, Mathematics, Cultural, Sensorial, and Practical Life lessons hallmark of authentic Montessori education.
Yoga and Mental Wellness
We believe that peace begins within. Students are exposed to a variety of mindfulness practices for mind and body and we model respect for all living beings (especially our students!)
We foster nervous system regulation through mindfulness practices such as guided listening and breathing exercises to help our students feel safe, grounded, and ready to learn.
Practical Life
Cultural Studies
Dr. Montessori believed that a self-reliant and independent child is a happy child, and so do we. Our motto is "Help Me Do It By Myself," and our students are encouraged and supported to learn to carry out daily tasks on their own. From buttoning sweaters to knot tying and reading maps, our students take on meaningful tasks as they grow in their own abilities.
Music
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Our founder is a Suzuki-trained violinist and vocalist with over 15 years of music-teaching experience and nearly 30 years of violin and voice training under her belt. She guides our students in developing their inner musician with pitch-matching and ear-training exercises, listen-and-repeat games, and vocal training with choral based music classes that children love!
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
We are passionate about place-based education that honors the cultural traditions of this land. Cultural Studies encompasses history, geography, geology, and sociology. We engage with these fields in a respectful and inquisitive way that encourages our students to blossom into informed and empathetic citizens of the world.
Horticulture
Community Engagement
Horticulture
At Gilbert Nature School, we believe that a knowledge of plants is imperative to being a happy and healthy human being.
As proud recipients of the Seed Grant from Native Seed/SEARCH, we grow traditional Sonoran heirloom desert-adapted plants in our large organic garden.
Seasonal gardens highlight the plant life cycle, teach uses of traditional Sonoran crops, encourage healthy eating, and help student understand and appreciate where food comes from.
Art
Community Engagement
Horticulture
Students are exposed to a variety of art forms and mediums ranging from mark making and drawing with crayons, pencils, markers, and found objects to painting (watercolors, tempera, and acrylics ) to sculpture with clay and paper-mache and found objects and extend to the messy side of the art world with sticks, stones, feathers, leaves, and mud!
We use eco-friendly art supplies wherever we can and support all of our students with their unique artistic expression.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At Gilbert Nature School, we know that a key to a fulfilling life is feeling connected and helpful to the wider community. That is why our students engage in various Service Learning Projects through out the year, ranging from restoration projects to trash-pick-up.
We schedule field trips to local community centers and utility providers because we want our students to truly understand how Gilbert operates and functions and to be inspired to contribute to our community in a meaningful way.
Register for Summer Camp!
Summer Camp is now open for enrollment.
This year's theme is Growing Our Food. Camp is 100% Screen-Free and full of enriching hands on, project based, and Montessori inspired learning activities in the fresh air with highly qualified educators.
Space is limited to ensure low teacher to student ratios.
Half Day and Full Day options available.