New Ingersoll School Offers Alternative Learning

Thursday, 2 June 2016 at 06:48

A new school opening up in Ingersoll offers an alternative way of learning with an emphasis on outdoor learning and practical skills

INGERSOLL - A new private school will be opening up in Ingersoll this fall.

Hall's Creek Nature Academy will be teaching up to 12 children in Grades 1-6. It will operate similar to a one room school house and will be based at Trinity United Church.

Director Proprietor Sarah Crellin says the academy will be using a variety of different curriculums.

"We will be having a blend of curriculums - so we will be relying on the Ontario curriculum to some degree. We'll also be bringing in some Waldorf stuff, some Aboriginal teachings and instructions and just whatever else we might find along the way; stuff on sustainability that will be important as well, sort of blending all that together."

Crellin adds two hours of each day will be spent outside, weather permitting, and they will occasionally venture off to different areas.

"Sometimes we will be leaving the property and we will be going to explore one of the natural areas in Ingersoll. For example we might go to Smith's Pond and do some investigating there; maybe do some journaling or sketching then come back to the school."

The average school day will kick off at 9 a.m. with some communal activities such as singing or storytelling. In addition to their outdoor investigating, they will also have sessions throughout the day with classes such as language or math. Every Friday the class will be cooking food and serving lunch. Each school day will also end at 3 p.m.

The cost of tuition is $550 a month per child plus HST over the 10 month school year (September to June). However, if parents volunteer one hour a week or the equivalent of one day a month, they can save $50 on the monthly fee. There is also an interview and application process in order to attend the academy.

Crellin explains why some parents will want to sign their kids up.

"It's just something different - it's an alternative. If they're perhaps unhappy in the regular school system, that might be one reason. Even if they are happy maybe they want a different type of experience for their child that's hands on, that's connecting them with nature and each other in a really positive way and just something to bring the joy back in learning basically."

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in the academy are welcome to attend an upcoming open house. It will be on June 11th at Henderson Hall from 10am til 3pm.

You can also find more information by visiting their website, e-mailing them at info@hallscreeknatureacademy.com, or calling 519-788-5881.