learning redefined
Our Approach
At Jericho Valley, we believe that education thrives when freedom and structure coexist. Our curriculum offers a balanced mix of outdoor learning, free play, and structured activities, empowering children to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. We aim to support families interested in homeschooling by providing the guidance and resources they need by fostering a consistent community of learning for children.
What we focus on:
Fundamentals:
While we embrace freedom and flexibility, we also recognize the importance of building a strong foundation in the fundamentals. Our curriculum ensures that students develop essential literacy, numeracy, and critical foundational skills.
Outdoor Learning:
We recognize the immense value of nature in a child's education. Our curriculum emphasizes outdoor learning, enabling students to explore and connect with the world around them. From nature walks on our trails, to learning how to garden, to fun scientific learnings at the river, we harness the power of the great outdoors to ignite curiosity and foster a deep appreciation for the environment.
Free Play:
Play is an essential component of childhood development. We embrace the importance of free play and risky play. We believe that by allowing children to engage in unstructured and imaginative activities, we are helping to develop their creativity, social-emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills.
Critical Thinking:
Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on critical thinking skills. We encourage students to ask questions, analyze information, and think critically about real-world problems. Through hands-on projects, collaborative discussions, and inquiry-based learning, we empower students to become independent thinkers who can navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Hands-On Learning:
We believe that learning by doing is crucial for deep understanding. Our program incorporates hands-on experiences across all subjects, allowing students to actively participate in their education. From science experiments to art projects, students engage with learning material in a meaningful and memorable way.
What your child will experience:
Year-Round Learning:
We operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for our Sparrows & Ravens Pod and Thursdays for the Bluebird Pod. We’ve implemented a year-round schedule with breaks throughout the year, providing for continuous learning opportunities. Days start at 8:30am and end at either 12pm or 1pm. We have a beautiful indoor space for the children and ample outdoor space- which is where we like to spend a lot of our time!
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​Mixed Aged Classroom:
Mixed-aged classrooms promote collaboration and peer learning. When older students mentor younger students, responsibility, empathy, and cooperation can bloom. This environment allows students to progress at their own pace without the pressure of age-based comparisons and helps to facilitate continuous growth.
Sparrows & Ravens will attend at the same times, older kids aged 9-12 years old will be recognized as "The Ravens." This designation acknowledges their developmental advancement and empowers them to take on a mentoring role over the younger Sparrow students in their class.
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Low Student to Staff Ratio:
We are starting our first year with up to 12 children in the Sparrow Pod and 10 children in the Bluebird Pod. We hope to have a lead instructor and assistant team, along with rotating support from volunteer parents.
Freedom to Explore:
We are located on the property of Bloom Meadows. Situated on 70 private acres, we have walking trails, meadows, and streams to explore and ample space to play. We plan to hold daily nature walks, lessons outside, and free play outdoors.
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Key highlights of
Jericho Valley:
​Flexible Drop- Off Model:
We offer parents​ the opportunity to drop off their children, providing parents the freedom to ​help supplement their education while also giving themselves a much-needed brea​k. :) (This is an optional, not mandatory).
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Fee Structure:
Our co-op charges a fee to join, which ​is per child. This fee covers the salaries of the instructor and assistant, as well as supplies for the children​, cleaning, and general maintenance of our space.
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Curriculum + Instruction:
We ​w​ill pull from multiple curriculums which will be lead by an instructor(s), allowing parents to outsource some of their teaching responsibilities.​ Our Curriculum is not geared towards any religious beliefs.
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Parental Involvement:
While we encourage parents to drop off their children, we also appreciate having parents volunteer on a rotating basis. This provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage with their child's daily activities and observe the learning experiences firsthand. Certain days may require multiple parent volunteers, especially during specific subjects or field trips.
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Community Focus:
We aim to create a warm and welcoming community where children can thrive and families can connect.