Upland Hills School in Oxford doesn’t look like your traditional classroom setting; that’s because it’s not. But it is where around 90 students will be learning come fall, including Alicia Stewart’s two sons.
The independent tuition-based school has always used a very “nature forward” approach to learning, and this year, due to COVID-19, will rely on that model even more.
“I did venture out to Target just recently and I saw all the back-to-school supplies and I don’t really have to get any of that,” Stewart said.
What is on her back-to-school list, is bug spray, camping pads, and hats with mosquito netting.
“What I’m doing now is I’m searching REI, I’m searching Patagonia, I’m going to my local camping stores,” she said.
Upland Hills has been around for 48 years providing a non-traditional approach to learning for kids as young as four, and now, through high school age.
The school has a ropes course and a CSA farm on its property, so kids are also provided with true “farm-to-table” meals.
“We have a long history of being a nature-based school and we’re in this beautiful setting, 30 acres in the woods here. So to be outside for 2-3 hours a day is really typical for our students,” said Director of School Rob Himburg.
Because of COVID, outdoor learning will be central this fall. However, the school does also offer online learning.
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Source: Private school in metro Detroit planning outdoor, camp-like model for fall
