Raven’s Call April Newsletter
April Newsletter – The Ravens Take Flight!
As our resident ravens soar and the swallows join them in the skies, the earth below is coming alive—tender green leaves and new shoots peeking from the ground. And just like nature, we at NVS are bursting at the seams with growth of our own!
Earth Week Adventures
To celebrate Earth Week, our middle and upper school students joined forces with our new partners at the Cascade Head Biosphere for a “raindrop to sea” exploration. This exciting partnership is just beginning—with more experiences to come, including upcoming visits with Westwind to deepen our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Be sure to visit the Partners page on our website to see our community collaborations bloom and grow!
Enrollment & Camp Updates
Enrollment is steadily growing for the 2025–2026 school year, and our Wild Coast Camp is filling up fast! We’re thrilled to welcome new students and campers into our thriving, outdoor-loving community.
Garden Growth
Construction on our new school garden is nearly complete! Our plant starts are thriving and getting ready to be both planted and sold at our upcoming Plant Sale at the end of May. This new garden space will be a center for learning, play, and hands-on exploration for all of our students.
Middle School Program Upgrades
We’ve made exciting updates to our Middle School Program—enhancing both curriculum and structure to support deeper learning, creativity, and leadership. Stay tuned for more details and how these changes will elevate the student experience.
Financial Aid Success
Our Financial Aid Spring Fundraiser has already surpassed our goals—and we still have a few days left! Thank you to everyone who has contributed. This support ensures that more families who align with our values and mission can become part of the NVS community.
Sunshine & Outdoor Learning
With the return of sunshine, every class is spending as much time outdoors as possible—bringing lessons into nature, where our students thrive best. We believe in learning with, in, and from nature, and it's been beautiful to watch that unfold this spring.
Growing with joy and purpose,
The NVS Team
Kelsey Leatherman
Board Chair
Interim Head of School
Upcoming Events
April 2 - 21: Spring Financial Aid Fundraiser
April 8: Open House and Games Night
April 8 -30: Virtual Book Fair (details below)
April 16 - 22: Earth Week
May 4: Info Session for Lower School and Middle School - RSVP below.
Spotlight on Classes for the 25/26 School Year
Preschool–Kindergarten at NVS - WAITLIST
Where Play IS the Curriculum
In our early childhood program, children learn through joyful exploration, meaningful play, and a deep connection to nature.
- Play-based, emergent learning
- Daily outdoor adventures
- Creativity through art, music & movement
- Early literacy & math woven into real-life contexts
- Social-emotional growth at the heart of it all
️- And… our Kindergarteners take their first steps into leadership, guiding younger peers and stepping into greater independence
This is where the learning arc begins—with wonder, confidence, and connection.
Lower school Grades 1–5 at NVS - OPEN ENROLLMENT
Welcome to the years of the Explorers.
- Hands-on exploration
- Nature-based science
- Emergent literacy & math
- Creative expression
- Place-based projects
- Multiage mentoring
- Social-emotional growth
- Real learning, no grades
In our primary program, students build strong academic foundations while growing into confident, curious, and compassionate learners. Learning is personalized, purposeful, and deeply connected to the world around them.
Middle School at NVS – Grades 6–8 - OPEN ENROLLMENT
Our middle schoolers are navigators, thinkers, and changemakers.
In Grades 6–8, learning goes beyond the classroom walls:
- Rigorous academics grounded in real-world relevance
- Nature-based & experiential learning
- Deepened social-emotional growth
- Interdisciplinary projects & emergent curriculum
- Personalized learning paths in multiage classrooms
- Active roles in community service projects
- Annual off-campus adventures, including an unforgettable backpacking trip!
Middle schoolers at NVS are supported as they build independence, resilience, and a deeper connection to both themselves and the world around them. This is education for the whole child—engaging, empowering, and meaningful.
Upper School at NVS - Grades 9-12 - Enrollment on a case-by-case basis
Our Upper School program (Grades 9–12) is currently in its pilot phase, with a small group of students helping to shape what will become a full, dynamic high school experience rooted in our educational philosophy. As we grow, we’re excited to expand offerings, deepen programming, and continue building a learning environment that is rigorous, experiential, and student-driven. Stay tuned—there’s much more to come in the years ahead!
INFO SESSION - MAY 4
Join Us for a Lower & Middle School Info Session!
Curious about what makes our school different? Come learn more at our upcoming Information Session focused on our Lower and Middle School programs (Grades 1–8).
Meet our passionate teachers and our Board Chair, explore our unique educational philosophy, and discover why we believe in nature-based, experiential, and student-centered learning. You’ll have the opportunity to hear about the intentional, research-backed choices behind our approach—and see firsthand how we support deep academic growth while nurturing the whole child.
Whether you're just beginning your school search or already considering joining our community, this is a great chance to ask questions, connect, and get to know the heart of our program.
Sunday, May 4th, at Neskowin Valley School
Lower School 10 - 11 am
Middle School 11:30 - 12:30 pm
RSVP to info@neskowinvalleyschool.com
Exciting Enhancements to Our Middle School Program
We’re thrilled to share that our Middle School program (Grades 6–8) is evolving in powerful ways for the 2025–26 school year!
Rooted in our school’s core values—connection, curiosity, and whole-child learning—our enhanced Middle School model builds on what’s already working and adds even more opportunities for leadership, adventure, and deep academic growth.
Here’s what’s new and exciting:
More Outdoor & Place-Based Learning – Nature continues to be our classroom, but with added opportunities for extended outdoor exploration and real-world, project-based learning.
Off-Campus Adventures – Students will engage more regularly in the world beyond campus—including community service partnerships and an annual multi-day backpacking trip.
Leadership & SEL Focus – Middle Schoolers will step more fully into leadership roles across the school, while continuing to grow emotionally and socially in a supportive, intentional environment.
Strengthened Interdisciplinary Academics – Our curriculum continues to emphasize rigor, relevance, and student-driven inquiry—giving students the tools to think critically, collaborate, and thrive.
These updates are part of our commitment to continual growth and innovation—ensuring that our Middle School students are not only ready for high school, but for life.
Enrollment is now open for Grades 6–8 for Fall 2025!
We’d love to talk with any families looking for a Middle School experience that’s rich with purpose, adventure, and connection.
25% OF ALL PROCEEDS GO TO OUR FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM
Financial Aid at NVS: Making Education Accessible
At NVS, we believe that every child deserves access to a meaningful, enriching education—regardless of financial circumstances. We understand that tuition can be a significant commitment, and we want to reassure families that financial limitations should not be a barrier to joining our community.
NVS has a robust financial aid program designed to support families for whom tuition may present a challenge. In fact, 30–40% of our families currently receive financial aid, and the majority of those awarded receive up to 30% off tuition costs. Our aid program is primarily need-based and is structured to ensure that we can support as many families as possible while maintaining the strength and sustainability of our school.
We strongly encourage any family who feels that cost is standing in the way of enrollment to apply for financial aid. Our process is thoughtful, respectful, and confidential—and above all, it reflects our commitment to making NVS accessible to a wide range of families.
If you're considering NVS but have concerns about affordability, please reach out. We’re here to help, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you.
Career Opportunities
We are Hiring!
We are hiring multiple positions for our 25/26 school year and summer day camp program.
Joining our team at Neskowin Valley School means becoming part of a dynamic and passionate community dedicated to outdoor and experiential learning. We offer opportunities for professional growth through mentorship, training, and hands-on experience in a student-centered environment. Educators here can develop expertise in nature-based learning, emergent curriculum, and social-emotional development while working in a supportive and collaborative setting. Whether you're an experienced teacher or an emerging educator eager to explore innovative early childhood education approaches, we welcome individuals who share our commitment to nurturing lifelong learners.
Visit our website to see all available positions, and for all inquiries, please email kelsey@neskowinvalleyschool.com