Vision and Mission
The Mayapple School engages children in rich, meaningful, and creative learning experiences that encourage cognitive and social growth. Using an integrated, playful curriculum with a focus on outdoor discovery, our students build an awareness of their selves, each other, and the world around them. The Mayapple School nurtures joyful, connected, and resilient children who are masters of their own learning and have a zest for life.
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The whole child, nourished through play and community:
We are committed to holistic education, recognizing the interconnectedness of social, emotional, and academic growth.
A child’s life is valued and important in its own right. Children are given time to play, to exercise their capacities, to contribute, to create. Through play and community, we look to find and experience the joy, love, purpose, and challenge that is the magic of childhood. This is childhood’s real work.
Students experience outside perspectives, learning respect for others and problem-solving through cooperation.
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Creative Education:
Creativity is a priority, not an extra. Teachers understand that the world needs original minds that excel at critical thinking, and that students blossom with creative opportunities.
Creativity starts with innate curiosity and extends through discovery, exploration, original thought, and the independent execution of a child’s unique ideas. Creativity goes across the curriculum.
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Place-Based & Outdoor Education:
The outdoors inspires wonder, promotes well-being, and provides a rich learning environment. We foster this connection through place-based and outdoor education, leveraging the unique cultural, community, natural science, and environmental teachings of our Appalachian surroundings.
As children experience and learn about wild places, they form a whole-self connection to nature. The wilderness becomes a place where the mind, body, and spirit can become refreshed, a source of well-being that children can tap into, now and forever. The wilderness is a natural haven for the growing child, and for the adult she becomes. As the forest cares for her, so she too will care for the forest.
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Hands on Exploration & Deep Learning
Children’s innate sense of wonder and growing capability is trusted and developed. We foster the disposition to learn and a child’s internal incentive for action through hands-on exploration of the world around us.
Students are challenged on an ongoing basis, with continual learning, and not end-result achievement, as the goal. Meaningful contributions and skill building are within children’s capacities every day.
