Overview
The Forest School Online is a fully virtual, international school that is piloting a model of self-directed learning in online education as set forth by The Institute of Self-Directed Learning.
The Forest School Online is a fully virtual institution. We enroll learners from all over the United States, a family from Uganda, and a family from Kenya. The vast majority of instruction takes place online. With our self-directed learning model, learners spend the day engaging in both synchronous and asynchronous education. Families have the option to visit our sister school campus (The Forest School) in Fayetteville, GA, twice each year for two signature learning events—Contract Signing and Commencement.
- from 10
- to 19 years old
Co-Education
from 1800 to 11805 USD
Founded in 2021
4 different nationalities
42+students
Academics
Learning shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all! We believe that every person has a calling that they can use to change the world. Part of our mission is to help learners find and develop their calling, whatever that may be. To help each learner take charge of their learning and learn about the things that they are passionate about, we use individualized Badge Plans.
Each Badge Plan contains “badges” that a learner completes to advance to the next Studio (Middle or High School). All badges are flexible and can be customized to fit each learner’s preferences and needs based on their goals. Working as thought partners, the Guide and family work together to help the learner choose the right badges, courses, and extracurriculars to achieve their goals. The learner sets goals and works to achieve them at their own pace with regular progress check-ins with their Guides and Studio-mates.
The Forest School Online utilizes online spaces where learners meet in mixed-age classrooms called Studios. Studios meet on Zoom synchronously each day to collaborate on challenges given during our Signature Learning Experiences, give and receive real time feedback, and community building.
A Signature Learning Experience is one of the defining ways that The Forest School Online trailblazes a self-directed model for education. Through maker challenges, storytelling challenges, real world apprenticeships, and Quests, our learning experiences develop each learner as a creative who defines their own calling that will change the world.
The Studio environment is designed to be learner-led. Guides facilitate each synchronous experience with socratic discussions and real-world challenges with the help of visiting experts. Each Studio runs as a democracy in which learners establish their own norms in a Studio Contract each year. Learners and Guides hold each other accountable to their contract through ongoing and real time feedback. Between synchronous meetups, learners and Guides use Slack as our school platform for ongoing communication and collaboration.
Online Learning Information
Extra curricular
-National Honor Society & Jr. National Honor Society
-Steering Committee
-Yearbook Club
-Newspaper Club
-Apprenticeships in Leadership, Marketing, & Education
-Learner-led clubs
Tuition and fees per year
The annual tuition fees at The Forest School Online range from USD 1800 to USD 11805, depending on the student's grade level and chosen program.
At The Forest School Online, we value socioeconomic diversity and commit to creating a learning community that is accessible to all families. Many of our families have taken advantage of our flexible tuition option and have received a reduced tuition rate based on their income and ability to pay tuition for one or more learners.We invite all families of all income levels to apply for flexible tuition if they’d like to see if they qualify. Applications are based on each family’s total income and determined using a sliding scale.The Forest School Online is a not for profit organization, and our tuitions go directly towards staff salaries and operating expenses. It’s always our goal to work with each family to determine the right flexible tuition rate in conjunction with our operating budget. Payments can be made in full, twice per year, or monthly. A $1,000 USD deposit is required upon enrollment each year, and is applied towards your tuition.
Scholarship information is not currently available. Please contact the school directly through this page to learn more.
Things to know
Rolling Admissions (Year-Round)Session 1: August 5, 2024Session 2: September 9, 2024Session 3: October 31, 2024Session 4: December 2, 2024Session 5: January 7, 2025Session 6: February 24, 2025Session 7: April 14, 2025*New learners are welcome to begin enrollment at the start of any session.
This school requires a minimum enrollment of 12 months, ensuring students have adequate time to benefit from the curriculum and educational experience.
Student Community
The Forest School Online welcomes a vibrant community of 42 students representing 4 different nationalities.
Students are not required to wear school uniforms.
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Reviews
Address
- Address: 155 Shepperton Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214, USA
Frequently Asked Questions about The Forest School Online
Tuition fees for The Forest School Online range from 1800 to 11805 USD per year.