Wild Roots, Strong Foundations.
Families come to Wild Roots for a low teacher-to-student ratio, a nurturing atmosphere, and real time outdoors. Our guides are genuinely passionate about working with kids, and our size is intentional. Small enough that teachers have room to notice the small things.
6:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
15+
Hours Outdoors per Week
Nature-Based
Curriculum
AMI Certified
Guide Certification
Room to Notice the Small Things.
Our Mission: We believe that learning about the world should be a beautiful adventure. We believe that science should be messy, that books are like treasure, and that struggles can be just as valuable as successes. We believe that getting our hands in the dirt is good for our bodies as well as our souls. We believe that blending letter sounds, finding peace in guided meditation, honing math skills, and identifying wildflowers should be all in a day’s work.
Our Program
Early Childhood (Ages 3–6)
Discovery Days
Friday Enrichment Program
Extended Care
Why Nature Based
What Growth Looks Like
The Montessori Method
Self-Directed Learning
Children choose their own work, building independence and intrinsic motivation.
Mixed-Age Classrooms
Younger and older children learn together, building mentorship and community.
Hands-On Materials
Specially designed Montessori materials make abstract concepts concrete.
Meet Our Guides
Molly McDowell
Co-Founder
Molly brings 20 years of education experience, including a Master’s in Education and Montessori certification from Westminster College, along with research on empowering parent involvement. She believes the love of discovery and learning is the most powerful force in education, one that fosters curiosity and imagination for a lifetime.
Shannon Dixon
Co-Founder
Shannon brings a deep love of nature and a background in sociology to Wild Roots. She blends Montessori principles with a nature-based, exploration-centered approach to help children grow into confident, lifelong learners who are curious about the world around them.
What Families Are Saying
What Children Gain
Confidence
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Independence
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Connection to Nature
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Academic Foundation
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Ready to Take the First Step?
Schedule a TourCommon Questions
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What are your hours of operation?
Our core program runs Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–3:00pm, with a Friday Enrichment half-day available as an add-on. Extended care is available before and after school.
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What are the extended care options?
We know families juggle busy schedules, so extended care is available: Early Bird from 8:00–8:30am ($10/day) and Late Bird from 3:00–5:00pm ($30/day).
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What age do students start?
Children join us between ages 3 and 6. Our curriculum is built around the developmental milestones typical of preschool through early kindergarten, using Montessori methods to foster independence, self-regulation, and a love of learning.
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How is Montessori different from a traditional school?
Montessori is a child-led approach: the teacher follows each child’s natural motivation and pace, rather than directing a teacher-led classroom the way a traditional school does. The focus is on helping students build independence through hands-on, self-directed work.