Why shouldn’t my child just stay in a public/charter school?

Each family’s circumstances, values, and needs are unique. A right fit for one family might not be a right fit for another. This may even be true for siblings within a family. That being said, Watershed Schoolhouse was designed for families who are passionate about education, and yet underwhelmed or disillusioned with mainstream educational offerings. This could be due to a lack of real skills and meaning in the curriculum, a lack of time outdoors, concerns over school safety, or challenges with systemic discrimination, etc.

Even when families recognize the limits of the current educaiton system, and wish for something else, the effort and circumstances required to craft that different education can be overwhelming, often to the point of resignation. People also tend to have a level of comfort with the known (i.e., the type of schooling that they experienced), even if they know it is outdated or problematic. The leap can be intimidating.

Watershed Schoolhouse is designed to help families overcome these challenges and to make alternative, holistic education accessible.

What makes Watershed different from other homeschool enrichment programs?

Each program has a different approach, and each approach is significantly affected by the teachers/individuals who are implementing the program on the ground. Still, the primary difference, on a structural level, between Watershed Schoolhouse and other homeschool-based programs, is coherence. Watershed Schoolhouse is not a piece-meal, a-la-carte menu of offerings, where a set curriculum is offered to a new group of students each day. From a student’s perspective, with the piece-meal approach, one day might be about math, the next day about animals, and a next day about Spanish and handcrafts. What is missing is anything to tie these experiences together or create a sense of continuity. Learning can become a series of disjointed experiences.

Watershed Schoolhouse prioritizes synthesis and integration. The learning is organized through broad lenses (Our Four Literacies) and yearly themes and projects that weave throughout each day of learning. These are seen in the routines and rhythms, as well as the actual areas of study. What is gained is an educational journey, designed by a professional educator, and adapted to the skills and interests of the families and children journeying together.

What is your use of media/technology like?

Media and screens are not a part of Watershed Schoolhouse in the early years. While these are introduced in a limited way after the elementary years, they are done so in a limited way, with an emphasis on supporting healthy relationships with technology as well as a critical analysis of their impact.

Rather than watch a video about fire, students are encouraged to build an actual fire. Rather than use a search engine on the Internet to find out what the weather forecast is, students are encouraged to go outside, set up a weather station, learn weather patterns, and to observe first-hand. This all supports deeper focus, creativity, and problem-solving, and, perhaps more importantly, deep learning, rather than rote memorization or “screen-deep” understanding.

Will my kid learn to read?

Yes. And write, and do math. Literacy is central to the curriculum. Sadly, although literacy is also central to most mainstream curriculum, many children are not learning to read or write well, even though (and perhaps because) all else is pushed aside to drill these skills. Parents assume their child will learn to read in a mainstream setting, and then the collective blame is placed on the child who fails to do so, rather than a system that has failed the child.

Watershed Schoolhouse focuses on children reading at their own developmental stage, developing a love for reading, and exposing children to the many ways in which an ability to read (and write) supports them in their own interests and life-long learning.

What about sports?

Sports can be a powerful arena for having fun, team-building, pushing one’s own skills, and more. The same can be said about many physical games in general. Watershed Schoolhouse incorporates various movement, sports, and games throughout the curriculum. This ranges from running games and rock-hopping in creeks to climbing trees and experimenting with sensory challenges. Learning is not something that happens in the brain alone; the body is key, as is our use of new skills and learning in real-world, complex, dynamic settings.

Clearly, this is not at the scale of district- or state-wide organized sports. This is simply a matter of scale. For families interested in pursuing sports at a high-level, we recommend pairing Watershed Schoolhouse with club sports. Still, some parents feel that their child should attend mainstream schooling because of the sports. This is a question of values and priorities that each family will have to sort out. That being said, having a broad foundation, especially in the early years of a child’s education, can support long-term health, both physically, as well as emotionally. This must be weighed against early specialization in one sport and the common pattern of “over-pressuring” children to “perform.”

What supplies does my child need to participate?

A full list of supplies is included in the welcome packet upon enrollment. The main difference is that children need to have clothing to support them outdoors in all weather conditions. This includes a comfortable backpack, warm layers, rain gear, rain boots, water bottles, etc.

Does the program still run if it is raining?

Yes. Watershed Schoolhouse offers a hybrid indoor/outdoor program with an average of slightly more than 50% of time spent outdoors. That being said, certain weather conditions (lightning, hazardous air quality, etc.) will send us indoors for safety.

What happens if my child is sick?

If your child is sick, please keep them home until they have been without a fever or any other major symptoms for at least 24 hours. Rest is essential for children (and all of us) to recover fully and quickly. Please communicate if you are unsure how to proceed, or if your child is sick.

Can I have my child come for just part of the day?

Generally speaking, no. The curriculum is designed to follow an arc and flow. Moreover, the group moves locations throughout the day, depending on what we are focused on, so logistics can be complex. That being said, for younger students, if a transition time of early pick up is needed, this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Early pick up for enrolled students with appointments, etc. are no problem.

Can my child come for just one or a few days a week?

Yes! Please see the Tributaries (1-Day) offering. However, for those signed up for the full-time program, the commitment is to be there for the duration of the school calendar each week. The program is designed to be cumulative, building on skills and group trust and relations over time. This allows for more coherence with the group and the curriculum, which, in turn, allows for deeper learning. It is also built on a model of long-term mentorship, rather than short-term relationships and a set curricular script. Five days a week is also designed to support working parents.

Is there a trial period?

Yes! If during the first month of programming it becomes clear that the program is not a fit for some reason, families can request to withdraw and receive a pro-rated refund for the remainder of the program, less the deposit ($500 for full-time/$250 for Tributaries). After this initial trial period, the standard Refund Policy applies.

Where is the program located?

The program is located on our 43-acre campus near the Chico Airport.

Is there swimming allowed?

Yes. We have access to a year-round creek with shallower and deeper zones. Children who have not yet learned to swim can have the opportunity to gain comfort in these areas and also build their skills as swimmers.

What payment options are there?

Tuition is individualized, to support access to alternative education for all families. Once tution is set, families can pay in 1, 2, or 10 payments over the course of the acadmeic year. Please see the Individualized Tuition page or reach out to admin@watershedschoolhouse.org with additional questions.

What forms do I need to fill out? How do I apply?

The first step is to fill out the application form. If accepted, you will be sent a link to an enrollment packet which includes an enrollment contract, liability waiver, media release form and health form.

Where can I find the calendar?

The calendar is available here.

What kind of pedagogy is used?

For a more detailed look at the educational approaches and philosohpy, please read about Our Approach and see our pages about Our Four Literacies, Nature Connection, and Rhythm. If you have additonal questions, please feel free to reach out.

Do you carry liability insurance?

Yes. Watershed Schoolhouse carries general liability insurance.

What if we are traveling or need additional flexibility from the schedule?

We strive for flexibility with enrolled families, within the frame of the school structure. We believe that learning can (and ought to) happen anytime, anywhere. This includes extended travel, injury, illness, etc.). That being said, the needs of the cohort are also taken into account. If a child’s absence disrupts their own participation or the group cohesion significantly, families will be asked to meet to explore how to adjust and still mee the needs of the whole.

What if I need to withdraw my child for an unexpected reason?

We understand that life circumstances can change.  However, Given the small scale of the cohort, as well as budgeting and hiring cycles, tuition payments are non-refundable except in extenuating circumstances. All deposits and application fees are non-refundable. In extenuating circumstances there is the option, at the sole discretion of Watershed Schoolhouse, for a pro-rated refund based on the portion of the school year enrolled, less a 20% withdrawal fee based on the remaining portion of unpaid tuition.

Can Watershed Schoolhouse accommodate children with special needs (e.g., autism, wheelchair, etc.)?

Watershed Schoolhouse offers a low teacher to student ratio. This creates the conditions for more individualized learning and attention, even within the context of a group. That being said, given the small scale of the school, some of the resources required to best serve children needing high levels of support may not be available. This is best sorted out on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire if you are unsure about the specifics of your situation and we will be happy to have a conversation.