“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our Mission
Hillside Nature School is an extraordinary place where the needs and growth of the children come first. Our campus is located among the cedar trees and tucked into the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. We are committed to connecting children to nature for the purpose of improving the current Nature Deficit Disorder* and instilling the foundation for a strong and positive relationship with learning.
*The Nature-Deficit Disorder, as defined by researcher Richard Louv, is the result of separation from nature which in turn leads to a wide range of behavioral problems, including reduced use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of mental, physical, and emotional illness.
We believe in a holistic approach to the development of children from infancy through 5 years of age, and are passionate about providing a multitude of hands-on learning explorations to build a strong foundation and lifelong love of learning. Our campus curriculum focuses on nature, science, gardening, music, art, mathematics, language, cooking, social studies, and physical movement.
Hillside Nature School resides on one-and-a-half acres, which includes over half an acre for our expansive outdoor learning environment. While in the outdoor environment, children will spend their time under shaded structures, among the trees, in the gardens, at the instructional outdoor tables, eating at the picnic tables, exploring in water works, and playing on the natural playscapes. Our curriculum combines the natural curiosity of the child with the academic backing in order to meet the child’s developmental goals in all curriculum areas.
The indoor classroom is an extension of the outdoor learning environment. The materials and resources found in the classroom spark an immediate connection between the child’s understanding of the natural world and how this relates to practical every day life applications.
While following our written developmental goals, our teachers provide an array of lessons to advance the child’s academic journey in mathematics, language, social studies, and science. We ensure proper individualized attention through our flexible classrooms and effective teacher/student ratios.
Classroom ratios
We are committed to providing the best learning environment possible for your budding explorer. We believe that not only the curriculum, but lower classroom ratios, is the key to successful early childhood education. Our classroom ratios are;
Infants 1:4 or 3:10, Toddlers/twos 1:7, and PreK3-5 1:8
Learning Environment
Strategically placed in the breathtaking northern hills of Travis County, your child will have the opportunity on a daily basis to explore the exciting natural world around them. Hillside Nature school has also gone the extra mile to reduce our environmental impact and blend the school into the surrounding landscape with our low profile building, natural playscape, and student gardens. Our indoor classrooms will be an extension of the outdoor space and encourage independent and imaginative play.
Safety
Your children’s health and safety are top priority. We want to make sure your child not only has the best learning environment, but is healthy and safe in that environment. We plan to ensure this through multiple locked entry points and security surveillance on property. We also have a full time Certified Pediatric Nurse on staff to address any health concerns, manage immunization records, and address any medical needs, should they arise.
