Oak Ridge Nature School

About this program

Oak Ridge Nature School is a nature-based early learning program located in Minnesota that fosters curiosity and creativity through outdoor education. The school operates on the philosophy that nature is the teacher, immersing children in hands-on outdoor exploration year-round while meeting Minnesota's Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) and MDE standards. What makes Oak Ridge Nature School unique is its commitment to spending 50-80% of each day outdoors regardless of weather conditions, with children experiencing rain, snow, and sunshine as valuable learning opportunities. The program maintains small class sizes in a mixed-age group model, allowing for personalized attention and individualized learning. While primarily outdoor-focused, the school also provides a dedicated indoor classroom space designed with natural materials for extreme weather days and focused activities like journaling and read-alouds. The school is expanding its enrollment structure to better align with public preschool schedules, with plans to offer 2-day and 3-day program options Monday through Friday starting in summer and fall sessions. A loaner gear program provides essential outdoor equipment including snowsuits, rainsuits, boots, and winter accessories to ensure every child can comfortably participate in all seasons.