Understanding PBL
This short video from the Buck Institute for Education (PBLWorks) offers a glimpse into how project-based learning helps childnre connect curiosity to purpose -- and why it's a the heart of everything we do.
Watch below to see how students discover, design, and grow through PBL.
About Our Approach
Our learning model pulls from multiple ideas including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf, but is rooted in Project-Based Learning (PBL)—a research-backed approach that brings meaning, creativity, and connection to the school day.
Why PBL?
Decades of educational research confirm that when children actively investigate ideas, solve problems, and collaborate with others, they build deeper understanding and stronger long-term retention.
Studies from institutions like Stanford, Harvard’s Project Zero, and the Buck Institute for Education show that project-based learning:
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Increases student motivation and engagement
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Enhances problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills
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Fosters long-term academic growth across subjects
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Supports diverse learners—including those with learning differences or language needs
In other words, PBL is not just more enjoyable for kids—it’s more effective.
Kindergarten Schedule
Each day is designed to feel purposeful yet playful--balancing structure, curiosity, and community with creativity. Rather than separating learning into subjects, we weave literacy, math, science and art into meaningful experiences that grow from children's questions and discoveries.
Here's a sample daily schedule blending play, inquiry, and integrated academics.
9:00 - 9:30 | Arrival & Morning Exploration
Children ease into the day with open-ended activities including sensory bins, art materials, and building materials tied to the current theme. Teachers observe, connect, and document emerging interests.
9:30 - 9:45 | Morning Meeting
Gather for greetings, songs, movement, and a shared question of the day building language, social-emotional skills, and introduces ideas for inquiry work.
9:45 - 11:00 | Project & Play
The heart of the day where children move through indoor and outdoor explorations blending literacy, math, science, social studies, and art through hands-on projects.
11:00 - 11:30 | Outdoor Play & Snack
Free outdoor play, nature exploration, and snack time together.
11:30 - 12:15 | Enrichment Lessons
Music, PE, Foreign Language, Social-Emotional Learning, Theater
12:15 - 1:00 | Lunch & Recess
Community lunch followed by unstructured play.
1:00 - 1:30 | Reflection Time
Soft music, books, and quiet choices to reflect and calm down our bodies.
1:30 - 2:15 | Afternoon Inquiry Extension
Follow up investigations, small group work, or creative expression tied to morning discoveries.
2:15 - 2:30 | Closing Circle & Clean Up
End the day with gratitude, sharing and previewing tomorrow's curiosity.
Instead of isolated lessons, learning unfolds through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that connect literacy, math, science, art, and movement.
Projects are developmentally appropriate and child-centered. For example:
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Building a pollinator garden while learning about ecosystems and measurement
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Interviewing local helpers (like firefighters or chefs) to explore community roles
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Designing simple machines from recycled materials to spark early engineering thinking
Every project is shaped by student interests and guided by expert educators who support both academic and social-emotional growth.
What It Looks Like in Kindergarten
Sample Unit
