We offer a Kindergarten program, four days per week (Mon.-Thurs.), for children 5-6 years of age. We provide two opportunities for children to re-charge and nourish their bodies with a healthy snack and lunch (both brought from home). To be able to individually support and connect with each child as necessary, we have a low staff to child ratio of 1:6. Class size of 12.

 

Inspired by European model, Waldkindergarten (all outside, all weather, early childhood programs), we have created an inclusive nature immersion kindergarten program that provides children with the opportunity for adult-supported, uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature. For our kindergarten class, we also weave project/place based learning into our curriculum to foster a transition into emergent curriculum. This closeness to the natural world and exposure to moderate risk supports a young child’s mental and physical health as well as problem solving skills, social-emotional learning, sensory, motor and cognitive development.

 

As a place-based program, children continually discover their “classroom” as the seasons and environments change throughout the year. 

 

Bend Forest school is modeled after the German based Waldkindergarten. Key principles of this model include:

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• All-outdoor, all-weather nature immersion

• Place-based education (permanent location)

• Play-based (children learn through play)

• Interest-led/child-driven learning/Flow Learning

• Emergent Curriculum 

• Inquiry-based teaching 

• Small student to teacher ratio of 6:1

• Exposure to moderate risk 

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Within our classroom we:

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• Place equal value on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of students.              

• Promote authentic learning with high expectations. 

• Provide an open atmosphere for the student's discovery of self, others, and the world around them. 

• Encourage an intimate connection to the natural world and surrounding communities through in-depth, integrated study. 

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TUITION

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Bend Forest School strives to make all the programs we offer as equitable to our community as possible. In doing so, we follow a tiered tuition model. The cost of tuition is dependent on which tier a family feels is within their affordability. Limited tuition assistance is available, see our Admissions tab. View more information about our tuition model and application process here.

 

Our kindergarten program is a 4 days per week program. 

 

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SCHEDULE​​

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Bend Forest School will loosely follow the Bend-La Pine School Districts schedule. We will follow their Inclement Weather Closures.

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Following is our 2025-2026 schedule:

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First Day: September 15th, 2025

Veterans Day (C): 

Thanksgiving Break (C): 

Winter Break (C): 

MLK Day: (C) 

President's Day: (C)

Spring Break (C): 

Memorial Day (C): 

Last Day: June 17th, 2026

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