Old School of South Burlington

Old School is simply magical. Brandon has curated a program and team that is truly incredible. Kiddos learn so much about nature and themselves by being outside so much throughout the day. The teachers are thoughtful and understanding and strive to help these kids with skills and confidence. Every kid should have the opportunity to experience a program like Old School!

I cannot emphasize enough how incredible Old School and its community are! The teachers are not only responsive and communicative but also incredibly kind, thoughtful, and deeply invested in each child's growth. What truly sets Old School apart is its outdoor, nature-based learning environment. The majority of the day is spent outside, allowing children to explore, play, and learn in a way that fosters curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to the natural world. Since starting at Old School, my two daughters have flourished—not just in their learning, but in their confidence and sense of self. It is truly a special place where children are seen, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We feel so lucky to be part of this community!

When we moved here last summer, we were fortunate to enroll our son in the Old School, a forest school. He had been struggling to attend his previous school and would cry almost every morning, saying "I don't want to go to school". As a result, we were concerned about how he would adjust to the new environment at the Old School, but with the help of the teachers, he not only acclimated but also thrived. We were impressed by the support we received from Mr. B, who regularly messaged us during the daytime in the first week to let us know how our son was doing. Additionally, the teachers provided helpful suggestions, such as sending family photos, to help our son through this transition. They were caring towards the children and employed creative teaching methods to develop their social skills. Our son attended the Old School three days a week during the first month and then four days a week the following month. Eventually, he was attending the school five days a week. It is unfortunate that we will be moving again this summer and will miss the teachers and the forest dearly.

WE LOVE OLD SCHOOL!! Our child has been at Old School for over a year, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. We love that school is held outdoors. Being outside in all kinds of weather, surrounded by all that nature has to offer, has really bolstered our child’s creativity and resilience. In an age of hyper-stimulation, our child is able to truly enjoy time without screens or even toys, totally engrossed in creative play. Nature has also offered plenty of problem-solving opportunities, as well as cooperative play with peers. Our favorite part about Old School, however, is its teachers. They are warm, attuned, responsive, and loving. We are blown away by their personalized attention to every student and continually impressed with clear communication. We also love that their emergent curriculum follows interests and pace of the children, versus pre-conceived yearly lesson planning. We would, without hesitation, recommend Old School as an all-around outstanding preschool.

Old School is the best learning environment we have experienced for our children. It ties together a primarily outdoor experience with small classes and a wonderful experiential education. Caring and thoughtful staff are always ready to help with your children's needs. We are luck to have found Old School.