This summer, The New School Montessori Center earned Schoolyard Habitat® certification from the National Wildlife Federation, recognizing the thoughtful care and design of our 11-acre campus! With creekside areas, wooded trails, outdoor classrooms, and pollinator gardens, our grounds provide rich opportunities for students to engage actively with the natural world. These spaces serve as living classrooms, where curiosity, observation, and environmental stewardship are woven into daily learning.

The certification reflects not only the presence of safe, engaging, and interactive wildlife habitats, but also the educational value of the programming we implement in these environments. From hands-on nature studies to interactive science projects, students explore the outdoors in ways that extend beyond textbooks. Younger learners enjoy activities such as planting seeds, going on nature walks, and exploring, while older students tackle more advanced studies, including conducting soil investigations, tracking pollinator activity, performing environmental inventories, and monitoring creek water. Outdoor learning also encourages freedom of movement, collaboration, problem-solving, and physical activity—all factors that are known to support attention, engagement, and overall well-being.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about our plans to further expand our outdoor educational initiative. New classroom spaces—including decks and small structures in key areas—will create more opportunities for students to explore and engage with the outdoors. Along with our newly marked trails and abundant habitat areas, these spaces will continue to be a cornerstone of our unique campus. We’ll keep families updated as these plans take shape!