What we teach

Our goal is to cultivate a biblical worldview in our students. Our curriculum, with few exceptions, is taught from a distinctly Christian perspective. Teaching from a biblical worldview encourages students to engage thoughtfully with a variety of sources - discerning truth from falsehood, developing wisdom, and learning to ask meaningful questions.

Waymark Academy offers a classical Christian, nature-based education that integrates both classroom and outdoor learning. Students experience a balance of structured academics and nature-based exploration, often blending classroom studies and nature.

Our mornings are devoted to traditional academic blocks grouped by ability rather than grade, allowing each student to learn at a pace that challenges and supports their growth. 

Afternoons are spent in a focused learning block. Most days are spent outdoors in the forest mastering real life skills and nature-based learning. A few days might include a science lab, STEAM lesson, group projects, or some days the children work on personal goals they set. For the younger children, this might be finishing a 100-piece puzzle or creating a diorama. For the older children, this might include directing a play or building a functional project like a birdhouse or stool! The children apply classroom knowledge through exploration, collaboration, and hands-on discovery.

Hebraic Classical Education - God-Centered Rather Than Man-Centered

Our God-centered curriculum reflects the classical structure of grammar, logic, and rhetoric found in Greco-Roman education. Yet, where traditional classical programs are often rooted in a man-centered understanding of the world, we follow a distinctly Hebraic perspective. We teach about the God who created the universe and His ongoing relationship with humanity, in contrast to traditional classical education, which tends to focus on the gods and belief systems that mankind imagines and worships.

Consistent Engagement With Scripture

Students are encouraged to grow in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom through ongoing engagement with the Word of God. From Kindergarten we begin with short Bible verse memorization, gradually expanding their capacity until students can learn extended passages. Our program uses the classical stages of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, expressed in three developmentally appropriate phases - Discover, Investigate, and Declare.

We cover traditional subjects: Math, ELA, Handwriting, Bible, History, Science, SS, PE, Music and in the older grades a second language, but also have nontraditional subjects like outdoor survival skills, nature walks, life skills and more! 

During the school tour you can discuss what each grade level uses for curriculum.

Daily Rhythm

After saying goodbye to parents, we walk to our first meeting spot for an opening circle. We honor each child’s presence by greeting them individually and thanking God for the day and sing. We talk about being safe in God’s creation and caring for one another as a classroom community.

Walkabout

During walkabout in our forest classroom at basecamp, students have time for unstructured exploration in the outdoor classroom God has provided. Depending on the day, students may be “cooking” in the forest kitchen, building in our construction area, retelling Bible stories in our theater space, exploring seasonal items at the science center, or engaging in imaginative play, reading, music, art, and nature building. Educators provide materials that extend student interests and connect their discoveries to God’s world. This time also allows for practicing social skills, kindness, and community values.

Snack

Snack time is a valuable gathering moment where students sit together, offer thanks to God for our food, and practice table manners. We listen to one another as children take turns sharing highlights from the morning. When students finish, they participate in cleaning up, learning stewardship, responsibility, and care for our shared space. 

Group Activity

Some days we engage in a special group activity such as animal tracking, visiting our classroom sit spot for quiet reflection or prayer, drawing or writing in sand, or participating in a seasonal art project inspired by God’s creation. These group experiences help children see the beauty and order God placed in the natural world and develop a sense of awe, curiosity, and gratitude.

Hiking

We go on our forest trails together and enjoy the beauty of nature. Hiking allows children to connect with God, their classmates, and the outdoor world. Along the way, they naturally learn math, language, social-emotional skills, and science concepts, as well as character traits like patience, cooperation, and perseverance. We stop in meaningful places to explore, play, and notice God’s handiwork.

Closing Circle

At the end of the day, we gather again in a circle to review our learning and adventures. We reflect on God’s presence in our discoveries and recognize ways He is teaching us through creation and community. We read or tell a story based on our theme and sing together. Depending on the day, children may write or draw a journal entry, create a group map of an adventure, or record observations of the natural world. Students and teachers can share a favorite moment, something they learned, or appreciation for a classmate. We end with a goodbye song and thank God for our time together before greeting families.

Learning at The Nature School NC looks different from a conventional classroom. God’s creation becomes the learning environment, and the outdoors serves as our living classroom. Educators function as facilitators who move between sparking curiosity, quietly observing, and prayerfully planning learning experiences. Rather than being “experts” with all of the answers, educators walk alongside children as co-learners, modeling humility, curiosity, and a posture of wonder toward God’s world. Like Jesus, who often taught through stories, questions, and observation of nature, educators provide materials, resources, and experiences that inspire creative, imaginative, and exploratory learning.

We are committed to child-led, emergent, inquiry-based, experiential, and place-based learning within a biblical framework. We believe that every child is created in the image of God and is capable of developing meaningful knowledge, wisdom, and skills by exploring their interests, asking questions, and expressing themselves in diverse and interconnected ways. Learning flows naturally through child-led exploration and play, with thoughtful balance between informal discovery and formal instruction.

Our studies often flow with the rhythm of the seasons as we explore local ecology, observe natural patterns, and learn what it means to steward and care for creation.
 

Through dialogue, questioning, and reflection, we gain insight into children’s thinking and interests. From there, educators and students plan learning experiences collaboratively, honoring learner preferences and choice. Ongoing informal documentation - such as written observations, recorded conversations, photography, and video - helps us understand the learning process, celebrate growth, and shape long-term planning within our emergent curriculum.

Daily Rhythm

Morning Greeting

Children arrive and are warmly welcomed into the day. Families, teachers, and children connect at drop-off, helping create a sense of community and belonging. Children begin with child-initiated and teacher-supported center play and a simple morning craft. We sign in by practicing writing or tracing our name, encouraging early literacy and confidence.

Large Group Circle Time

Group time helps build a loving classroom community rooted in shared learning and faith. We sing a welcome song, pray together, and talk about God’s creation, kindness, or a Bible theme for the week. We discuss the day’s events, explore questions, and introduce learning plans in a joyful, developmentally appropriate way.

Music and Movement

Children participate in music, dance, rhythm instruments, and movement activities. They enjoy leading the class in favorite songs, learning to express creativity, joy, and worship through music. We also practice early handwriting skills in meaningful and playful ways.

Outdoor Exploration

Children spend time outdoors exploring God’s world with freedom, imagination, and curiosity. Learning materials are offered to support discovery, nature play, and hands-on investigation. Teachers may lead games, art, stories, and centers, while allowing space for child-led exploration. If weather allows, we extend our outdoor time for a picnic or return after snack for extra outdoor play.

Snack

We clean up together as a team, helping children practice responsibility, stewardship, and care for the learning materials God has provided. After washing hands and using the restroom, we enjoy snack time - often outdoors. We model healthy eating habits, practice fine motor skills, and engage in meaningful conversation. We reflect on learning goals, Bible themes, God’s creation, or character-building moments from our day.

Indoor Exploration

Children explore skills and concepts through hands-on centers and activities. Later in the year, small groups or individual lessons give students focused learning time with teachers. These activities may include art, language, math, nature studies, social science, music, early reading readiness, and more - always supported by a biblical worldview and God-honoring character development.

Circle Time

We gather for afternoon circle to reflect on our day. Children share projects, observations, interests, or questions. Together, we plan ideas for the next day while encouraging confidence, expressive language, and teamwork. We may play a game, sing, tell a story, use the felt board, or enjoy a finger play as we reinforce school readiness skills.

Goodbye

In small groups, we complete a puzzle, game, or activity with the teacher. We may spend time with art materials, playdoh, library baskets, or stickers. We say goodbye to friends and teachers, pack up, and reconnect with families to share highlights of the day. We leave looking forward to the next opportunity to learn, explore God’s world, and grow together.

At Rockfish Country Kids, learning begins with wonder. 

Our preschool program is rooted in a play-based, nature-inspired approach that invites children to explore, create, and grow through hands-on experiences. We believe that young children learn best through play, discovery, and meaningful relationships - guided by caring teachers who nurture curiosity, confidence, faith, and a love for God’s creation. Each day provides an opportunity to plant seeds of biblical truth, kindness, and joyful learning that will continue to flourish as children grow in wisdom and understanding.

RCK’s Preschool Program includes classrooms thoughtfully designed around each child’s developmental stage, honoring their God-given abilities, interests, and growing capacity to learn and discover.

Our classrooms use multiple age-appropriate curriculums, allowing each child to learn at a developmentally suitable level. Daily rhythms include Bible lessons, music and movement, outdoor exploration, circle time, art experiences, math foundations, and early reading readiness skills. Children learn through structured activities, hands-on play, and meaningful time in nature, helping them build academic, creative, and spiritual readiness.

Many preschoolers enjoy a unique blend of learning by spending part of their week in our traditional early education classrooms and part of their week at our Nature School or Forest School programs. They experience meaningful time outdoors exploring God’s world while developing foundational academic, social, emotional, and spiritual skills.