Where Learning Comes to Life
A small K–6 school on 14 wooded acres in the Aptos foothills, with specialty teachers, organic gardens, an orchard and animals.
- 14 wooded acres in the Aptos foothills
- K–6 a small school with specialty teachers
- 2,000 square feet of life lab garden
- Daily students care for the alpacas, goats and chickens
Our Mission
We aim to provide an educational experience (K-6) where children learn in a healthy, non-competitive atmosphere with an interactive, hands-on curriculum that builds academic skills; respects the individual child, the community and the environment, and nurtures the intrinsic process of learning.
We believe children need to live vigorously in an environment that invites learning. Given the time, the space, the resources, and the gentle and respectful guidance of skilled mentors, they thrive.
We value core academic skills, and we also nurture and protect childhood. Kids get the chance to climb, dig, run, unicycle, gaze at the clouds, sing, prepare and share food, and feel the earth beneath their feet.
A day at Orchard
Organic Gardens
Our life lab garden covers about 2,000 square feet of sunny, fenced land, with fruit trees and raised vegetable and flower beds.
Students grow food here for two big meals each year: the Harvest Festival in October and the Thanksgiving Feast the following month. Garden ingredients also go into cooking electives all year.
The Orchard
Our 14-acre campus in the Aptos foothills has a seasonal creek, a meadow, play structures, a swimming pool, all kinds of trees and a redwood grove.
Children get plenty of time to run, climb trees, play field games, dig in the sand and mud, and build forts and fairy gardens. We value long recesses: unstructured play is where deep engagement and cooperative, child-driven learning happen.
The Animals
Three alpacas, three goats and a flock of chickens live at the school. Every grade takes turns caring for them: feeding, cleaning the corral, collecting eggs, grooming and simply watching.
Now and then, the whole school links hands to make an enormous human fence, so the animals can run free for a while.
What Families Say
My daughter is very comfortable and happy at Orchard, which has paved the way for her academically. I believe because she feels safe and nurtured, her brain is free to learn and experiment.
My daughter is really a success story for Orchard: she is a caring, curious, excited, exploring, smart, imaginative and joyous kid; Orchard fostered her personal growth in a way that no other school could have.
Ivano Aiello, alumni parent After three years attending public school, we moved our son to Orchard. This magical place is nestled in the woods, with trees to climb, unicycles to ride, a garden to plant and teachers that inspire and encourage young minds to grow. Orchard feeds the whole child and ours has blossomed. We only wish we’d become part of this wonderful little community sooner.
Yvonne Reynolds, alumni parent Orchard offers more than a strong academic program. The children learn leadership, self-confidence and compassion...on elective day, the children learn skills such as surfing, woodworking, sewing, archery, photography and fort building. The children carry these experiences throughout their entire lives.
Stacey Kronschnabl, alumni parent The teaching staff knows each child well and supports and encourages their talents and interests. The lovely grounds, varied curriculum, and choice of electives is a refreshing departure from the norm, and helps to reinforce what was learned in the classroom by giving kids the opportunity to not only run and play but negotiate, take risks, collaborate, lead and challenge themselves to grow, think, and live outside of the box.
Jennifer Collins, current parent
From the Blog
All posts
Beekeeping
Hi. It has been wonderful bringing the bees, tending to them, and teaching and learning along with the students. We have accomplished and learned so much during our two elective sessions.
Casino Night 2025
Photos from Casino Night 2025, and a thank-you to everyone who donated.
Coming Up
All eventsFirst Elective Session Ends
