THE ACADEMIC MISSION OF ONE FOREST SCHOOL IS TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE A SAFE AND POSITIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENHANCES STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH A PROJECT-BASED CURRICULUM UTILIZING E-STREAM (ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, READING, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH)- THE INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTO STREAM LEARNING FOR CHILDREN. TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE LEARNER IN A FOREST SCHOOL SETTING, STREAM ALSO SUPPORTS SOCIAL SKILLS, TEAMWORK, RESPONSIBILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MINDFULNESS.
2025-2026 ONE FOREST SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES
calendar year runs May 25th - May 10th
Our Open House is from 10:-4:00pm on Friday August 15th and our first day of school is on Monday August 25th
TOURS ARE OFFERED DAILY BEGINNING AT 10:00AM MONDAY-FRIDAY. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
SOME WEEKEND TIMES ARE AVAILABLE.
Grade School Program
School year is August 25th to May 10th with open enrollment throughout the academic school year
Drop-off Time: Monday - Friday 8:00am: 8:15am
Session Time:
8:30am-3:30pm
Pick-up Time:
3:45-4:00pm
Before School Hours are
7am-8:00am
After School Hours are
4:00-6:00pm
Any time before 6:30am or after 6:30pm is an additional fee.
Primary Grade School Enrollment
Overview
ONE Forest School is an accredited, internationally recognized private school located in Bedford County, Virginia. We offer a personalized, nature-based education for preschool through 6th-grade students, with open enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year.
Our unique curriculum combines the E-STREAM approach (Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math) with Virginia Standards of Learning and early American history, all through the lens of place-based, project-based learning.
Our Approach to Learning
Each child at ONE Forest School follows a personalized learning path, supported by:
- A forest-based environment that encourages inquiry and discovery
- Community experiences that cultivate curiosity, compassion, and resilience
- Tiered support for social-emotional and developmental needs
- A flexible academic structure that emphasizes mastery over time-based progress
Students grow into thoughtful, capable learners through meaningful engagement with the natural world and local history.
Literacy Through the Orton Gillingham Method
Our reading and language arts instruction is inspired by the Orton Gillingham Method—a structured, adaptive, and multi-sensory approach to literacy that supports all types of learners.
Features include:
- Continuous observation and personalized lesson planning
- Alignment with each student’s learning profile, culture, and interests
- Emphasis on understanding, reasoning, and application
- Regular success experiences to build confidence and fluency
This approach fits naturally into our forest school philosophy and encourages joyful, lasting literacy growth.
Curriculum Themes (By Month)
The school year runs August through May and is organized into monthly themes to guide interdisciplinary learning:
• September: Native Americans – North American cultural groups & Virginia tribes
• October: Exploration – Age of Exploration, including John Smith
• November: Colonization – The 13 Colonies and Jamestown’s founding
• December: Revolution – The American Revolution and battles in Virginia
• January: Young America & the Constitution – Government foundations & the Virginia Plan
• February: Presidents & African American History – Leadership & civil rights in Virginia
• March: Women’s History – Women’s contributions to American and Virginian history
• April: Civil War – Richmond’s role and key battles in Virginia
• May: America the Beautiful – Memorial Day and honoring the Bedford Boys
Curriculum Oversight
Curriculum development and oversight are led by our experienced Board of Directors, who guide our educational vision and teacher training.
Board Curriculum Team:
Janelle Helfer, Director of Education
– M.Ed. in Elementary & Special Education
– Certified STEM teacher & Orton Gillingham certification candidate
– Virginia Master Naturalist
Heidi Sutherland, Board President
– B.A. in American Studies, 25+ years teaching
– Orton Gillingham Certified Instructor
Beth Bond, Vice President
– M.Ed. in School Administration (ECU)
– 30+ years in Special Education
– Lead Teacher, Bridges Program (Wake County, NC)
On-the-Ground Instruction
Forest school classes are led by our Executive Director and assistant educators, each bringing unique training and passion for outdoor, inquiry-based learning. While we are not currently staffed by licensed teachers, our team is highly qualified in early childhood education and naturalist instruction.
Lead Educator
Catherine Eubank – Executive Director
- Level 3 Forest School Practitioner (OFQUAL Regulated)
- Certified Interpretive Guide (NAI)
- Virginia Master Naturalist (BRFAL)
- Virginia State Rep, NAI Chesapeake Region II
- Candidate for Environmental Education Certification (NAAEE)Assistant Teachers
Mikala Vaughn
Teacher Candidate – Elementary Education
B.A. in Elementary Education (in progress, Liberty University)
Mikala is nearing completion of her degree in Elementary Education, with just two semesters remaining before she qualifies to sit for the final portion of her teacher licensure exam. Her extensive background in early childhood education includes:
• Childhood Development Associate (CDA)
• Early Childhood Education Certification
• Pre-Professional Certification in Education Fundamentals
• Phase Two Director’s Training
Mikala brings both passion and practical experience to her role, and we are thrilled to support her on the final steps toward licensure.
Mikala brings both passion and practical experience to her role, and we are thrilled to support her on the final steps toward licensure.
Emily Eubank
Wake Tech & Central Virginia Community College – Elementary Education
• Childhood Development Associate (CDA)
• Early Childhood Education Certification
Sophia Fonseca
B.S. in Environmental Science – Florida State University (Honors Program)
• STEM-focused coursework in oceanography, geology, and GIS
• 950+ hours in community environmental service
Tuition & Program Options
As a nonprofit, ONE Forest School is committed to making nature-based education accessible for all families. We offer a sliding scale tuition model:
- Top tier covers actual costs and supports teacher salaries & operations
- Lower tiers offer flexibility for families needing financial assistance
- Fundraising helps bridge the remaining gap
Enrollment Options:
- Full-Time (3 or 5 days/week) – Call for rates based on income
- Part-Time / Drop-In – $65 per day
After School Enrichment Program (ASEP):
- For Huddleston Elementary & homeschoolers
- Drop-off: 2:30 PM | Pick-up: by 6:00 PM
- Cost: $15/day
Contact & Enrollment
Contact us today to schedule a tour, receive tuition estimates, or ask questions about our enrollment process.
ONE Forest School is more than a school—it’s a place to grow, explore, and thrive.