River Valley Nature School

River Valley Nature School believes that the best learners are those that are motivated by interests and passions, those that see knowledge as something that is always changing and useful for real-life. River Valley Nature School children learn through play, exploration, and teacher designed invitations that encourage movement, develop fine and gross motor skills, promote literacy and numeracy skills, and build social-emotional growth.  We aim to educate and inspire children by cultivating a strong sense of self, compassion for others, and deep connection with the natural world.

The development of holistic, hands-on learning relies on community support.  As the proverb illustrates, it takes a village to raise a child and for a small independent school it takes the thoughtful efforts and creative resources of the community to educate the villages children.

We are deeply grateful for your willingness to support our community. 

Our fundraising efforts go towards three essential categories that support our community of learners. The first is our financial aid fund. At RVNS, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances. That's why a portion of our fundraising efforts goes directly towards providing need-based financial aid to families who would otherwise be unable to afford the costs of full tuition. Your support ensures that children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to benefit from the transformative experiences offered at RVNS. 

Our second category is the support of arts education at RVNS. This year we are hoping to raise enough funds to support several residencies for talented local musicians to share their passion and knowledge of music and music education with our students. Music education is a vital component of a well-rounded curriculum for children of all ages. It fosters creativity, emotional expression, and cognitive development. While RVNS students currently receive music programming, this residency will allow our students to further explore music in depth, honing their skills, and deepening their appreciation of the arts. 

Our final fundraising category is the support of STEM programming at RVNS. We are committed to further expanding our STEM offerings to provide our students, particularly those in middle school, with hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Today, STEM skills are more important than ever, and we want to ensure our students are well-equipped to succeed in any field they choose to pursue. Your support will enable us to invest in STEM-related expenses, enriching the educational experience of our students and preparing them for future success.  

Your donation to our 501c3 organization is tax deductible..