Open Doors Schoolhouse is a modern one-room schoolhouse offering part-time, nature-based learning for families. We blend hands-on exploration, life skills, and creative academics in a flexible, mixed-age setting. It’s more than a program — it’s a community built around curiosity, connection, and real-life learning. We are currently enrolling for family-focused programming and drop-in hours for use of the learning spaces & resource center.

We offer seasonal learning sessions — either by the semester or in themed short-term series. Each day follows a flexible rhythm rooted in outdoor exploration, project-based activities, collaborative learning, and child-led curiosity. Our summer pilot program serves as a soft launch to co-create this vision alongside our founding families.

Yes! Our main program is designed as a family-centered experience and we believe our learning community is built when families are involved. We offer opportunities for parents to volunteer, contribute talents, and truly be part of the learning team. Whether you want to help with a nature walk, lead a craft, or simply support behind the scenes — we’d love to have you be part of it in whatever capacity you desire!

Founding families who join us for our pilot season will:

• Receive discounted tuition

• Help co-shape the rhythms, values, and traditions of the schoolhouse

• Have priority registration for future sessions

• Be part of our first-ever Open Doors community events and memory-making

  We're building this with you, not just for you — and we deeply value your voice in this process.

Absolutely. Open Doors Schoolhouse is intentionally inclusive. Our mixed-age, low-ratio setting supports diverse learning styles, sensory needs, and emotional development. Our founder’s background in special education and early childhood development informs everything we do — it is a huge priority in our lessons and structure for all our learners to have the autonomy and space to learn without feeling the need to conform or defend a diagnosis.

That said, we’re a small program and want to ensure a good fit. We welcome open conversations about your child’s needs so we can partner together for success.

Tuition varies by session and materials provided. Our summer pilot is offered at a reduced rate as we grow together. Future pricing will reflect our values of accessibility, quality, and community care. Tuition pricing will be family-based with a small per-child supply cost.

*Volunteer options will be available to offset supply costs.

We recommend packing:

• Weather-appropriate play clothes (layers are great!)

• Water bottle and healthy snack/lunch

• Small blanket, towel, or mat for sitting outside

• A change of clothes, sunscreen, and bug spray (just in case!)

  We’ll provide any additional materials for hands-on projects, science experiments, or messy fun.

Open Doors is designed for ages 5–12 and thrives on the magic of mixed-age learning. Older children can take on leadership roles while younger ones are inspired by their peers. Our activities are intentionally crafted to support a wide range of developmental stages.

We aim to play outside in all seasons — but safety comes first. Classes may be canceled or rescheduled due to:

• Severe storms

• Extreme heat or cold

• Unsafe travel conditions

  You’ll be notified via email or text with as much advance notice as possible. During all sessions we have access to the indoor schoolhouse, playground equipment, outdoor pavilion, walking path, and creek access.

For our summer pilot, we’re prioritizing full session enrollment to build consistency. However, we will host seasonal pop-up days, community meetups, and family info sessions where you can meet the team, explore the space, and learn more before enrolling.

We’re based in Rye Township - Marysville, PA and plan to hold sessions in a beautiful natural space with access to fields, playground equipment, and creek access along with the schoolhouse building - located at Rye Township Community Park.

We’re so glad you asked!

• Join the Interest List to stay in the loop.

• Apply for the Summer Pilot once registration opens.

• Or send us a message — we’d love to answer your questions and connect!