Sonoma Earth School

About this program

Sonoma Earth School is Sonoma County's only outdoor elementary school, serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Located on the 127-acre Ya-Ka-Ama land in Forestville, California, the school was founded by educators Tim and Leila Allen to create a nature-immersive learning environment that reconnects children with the natural world. The campus features mixed forests, open meadows, spring-fed creeks, hiking trails, and access to the Russian River. The school's philosophy centers on education through nature, offering individualized academics within a mixed-age learning community. With a remarkable 1:3 teacher-to-student ratio serving just 29 students total, the program emphasizes place-based and experiential learning. The curriculum integrates daily Spanish instruction and honors both traditional indigenous practices and innovative educational approaches. Sonoma Earth School operates with deep respect for the Southern Pomo People's ancestral land and maintains partnerships with Ya-Ka-Ama, the inter-tribal nonprofit organization that stewards the property.