Educational Programs

The individual child stands at the core of the Five Acre School curriculum, this is child centered education.

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” Ignacio Estrada
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” Chinese proverb 
Since teachers act as facilitators, students develop a voice in the classroom and actively solve social and intellectual challenges. Competencies are demonstrated by student work, rather than by the content covered.

Five Acre School has a strong orientation toward environmental stewardship and responsibility to ourselves as well as the natural world. Maintaining a low environmental impact is a vital part of the school’s culture.

Classes use the Dungeness Recreation Area for hiking and nature studies and take frequent field trips to Olympic National Park. Students enjoy an expansive outdoor play area as well as the many benefits of our beautiful location.

Five Acre provides a caring and flexible educational program emphasizing a child centered approach. We promote a high degree of personal responsibility and accountability to successfully educate the whole person.

This unique and robust curriculum integrates traditional academic subjects with music, theater, art and outdoor education, emphasizing our relationship to the natural world.

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education forms an essential backbone to the Five Acre curriculum.  It stands as a sequentially progressive program that enhances students’ adaptability by exposing them to a vast, sensory rich environment. Weekly on "Hike & Field Study " day we use the outdoors as our classrooms.  Students engage in the natural world, collect data using all their senses, and it reminds all of us to remember that the world is a wonderful and awe-inspiring place. As we climb over logs, down a steep bank, and navigate in the wilderness we all learn appropriate levels of risk, and maybe push ourselves a little bit farther than we have before.  Students build life skills that will stay with them long after they graduate.   

Fine Arts

Fine Arts are central to the Five Acre experience. Students learn to express themselves clearly and confidently through visual media. They achieve musical competency through our graduated music program.  Preschool through sixth grade students master rhythm instruments and marimbas. Our after school marimba band, comprised of 3rd through 6th grade students, performs frequently at public events. 

Each spring Five Acre students and staff produce and perform a high quality theatrical performance. This collaborative project develops self-confidence, public speaking and teamwork. Students actively integrate learning in literature, history, geography, and science as well as develop skills in the fine arts. 

 Primary Class

Preschool Ages 3-5
Primary classes are full for the 2023-24 school year. We still welcome prospective families to reach out to be added to a contact list for future enrollment possibilities

Five Acre School provides a safe and welcoming environment for children to grow and discover school for the first time. Licensed by the State of Washington, the Primary Class offers preschool following Five Acre School’s philosophy of educating the whole child.   

Three trained preschool teachers supervise and guide up to 23 children in art, music, language, and play.  Children have access to a wondrous outdoor space that includes gardens, playgrounds, a large sand area for digging, a building area and a newly restored hill with tunnels for exploring.
 
Parents can choose 2 (W,F), 3 (M, T, TH), or 5 day programs that run 8:40-2:00pm daily. Aftercare is currently provided  until 5:00pm. 


Elementary Program

Kindergarten through 6th grade

Teachers and children build a strong, close-knit learning community where every child gets to shine. The students remain with the same teachers for several years; this continuity gives them the security to undertake new and ambitious learning challenges. We strongly emphasize respect for self, others, and the school environment by teaching community skills such as public speaking, listening, teamwork, and group problem solving. Students meet high standards in taking responsibility for schoolwork and personal conduct.
 
At Five Acre, we truly practice personalized and individualized learning. In each subject area the students work at their appropriate skill level. Children who learn more slowly continue to see themselves as successful students and with time reach high levels of achievement. Fast learners can blossom at their natural pace without having to wait for others to catch up. For many activities, students from all levels work together, pooling their special talents to create marvelous results. Curriculum is organized around the Washington State Essential Learning Requirements, and the traditional subjects are integrated with art, music, drama and outdoor education to keep learning exciting and meaningful. Teachers balance hands-on activities with work periods requiring quiet attention.
 
Students who have moved from Five Acre to the public system have been very successful. In particular, students are noted for their creative problem solving and excitement for learning.

Discovery Class

Kindergarten - 1st Grade

The Discovery Class, serving Kindergarten through 1st grades, focuses on building strong reading, writing and mathematics skills needed for later school success. Within their class, students are grouped in each subject not by age but by their skill level, facilitating truly individualized learning. Subjects are taught using both traditional curriculum materials and project-based learning that is driven by student passions and interests. Discovery students are at school from 8:30-3:00, 5 days a week. 


Adventure Class

2nd - 3rd Grade

The Adventure Class, serving second and third grades, continues building strong reading, writing and mathematics skills while integrating a higher degree of ownership and responsibility.  Students are grouped in each subject by their skill level at the pace that is appropriate for them. Subjects are taught using both traditional curriculum materials and projects are 4 to 6 week assignments with learning objectives that incorporate space for students to explore personal curiosities through their work. Adventure students are at school from 8:30-3:00, 5 days a week. 


Explorer Class

4th - 6th Grade

The Explorer Class, serving fourth through sixth grades, builds on well established reading, writing and mathematics skills and encourages co-creation of curriculum between students and teachers. Students are grouped by their skill level and provided with materials to support continued growth and appropriate risk taking in their learning. Subjects are taught using both traditional curriculum materials and projects are 4 to 6 week assignments often co-created based on student needs and expressed interests. Explorer students are at school at 8:30-3:00, 5 days a week.
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