LEARNING MODEL
Our Montessori inspired program integrates the best of the world’s leading learning models, providing learners the freedom and responsibility to tackle their curiosities through inquiry-based learning.
How does The Wilder School facilitate this process? The three pillars of our learning model guide us to offering a homeschool alternative that promotes character development alongside an individualized academic plan.
Learner-led
We believe that life-long learning is the product of curious, empowered children.
Our learner-driven model is grounded in a whole-child approach to education. At the core, we trust and respect children, empowering them to grow into independent and self-reliant learners. This begins in our youngest studio, where learners master foundational reading, writing, and math skills through a progressive, transitional balance between guided and independent activities. As they demonstrate greater capacity for independence, learners gain further freedom to create their own learning plan and explore their interests. Because we support their learning choices, we see them take the time needed to master core skills and revel in the success of their choices – something they demonstrate throughout the year during our learner-led exhibitions.
Learners who are empowered to guide themselves are also natural contributors to the community around them. Our blended-age studios are naturally collaborative and foster a supportive, team environment where learners lead and follow each other. As their journeys progress, learners fulfill greater roles of mentors, discussion leaders, and responsible community members.
When children are encouraged to lead, they develop the character and skill sets essential to thrive.
Experience-driven
We believe that hands-on experiences develop real-life skills.
Learning through project-based, collaborative experiences is not only fulfilling, it is steeped in the experiences that drive success. Whether working with animals, programming a robot, playing a musical instrument, or launching a start-up business, projects are an opportunity for experimentation, the results of which is learning both the about topic at hand and the process for inquiry-based research. Our studios are laboratories for students to practice the every-day skills of writers, artists, community leaders, scientists, and architects. It is in these experiences that students problem solve, tinker, fail, and reflect – the process by which they practice creativity, determination, and collaboration.
Community partners are an important element to our hands-on study. We live in an area with a breadth and depth of expertise in every field, and through partnerships our learners benefit from both immersive field excursions and guest visits in our studios.
Character-based
We believe that strength of character is more important than abundance of knowledge.
Starting in our earliest studio, our guides are the mirrors through which the children see their best selves – capable, kind, and trustworthy people. As they grow, both individually and as a community, the interactive nature of our program creates a series of natural opportunities for learners to learn how to make sound decisions while considering and respecting other people’s thoughts and ideas. The very nature of our learner-led and experience-driven design facilitates the development of important social/emotional skills of self-control, self-advocacy, flexibility, and collaboration. In this way, each child begins to see the impact of their actions on the world around them.
The experiential design of our studios facilitates a safe environment for learners to exercise their independence, and through this, experience the natural consequences of their actions. Through these setbacks and successes our learners develop the resilience, confidence, and self-awareness to appropriately meet a range of life experiences from adversity to boredom. Our studios are also the incubators for the learner communities to hone leadership skills. Whether through peer review feedback or seeking collaboration on a community project, Wilder School learners develop the skills and talent to impact the world.
Think we may be a good fit?
Our learning model challenges each student with their own differentiated learning plan and equips them, through real-world projects and experiences, to uncover the talents that will transform them into leaders.
Learn more and take the next step. Request a Family Guide.
