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About Us
The Property
Surrounded by majestic oak trees, our program is nestled on 1.5 acres of vibrant, engaging land. Our lively farm is home to chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail, peacocks, pigs, goats, bunnies, barn cats, and friendly pups. The garden overflows with herbs, vegetables, and flowers—perfect for hands-on harvesting and growing lessons. At the front of the property, you'll find a zipline, slackline, basketball hoop, and plenty of space for running, playing, and joyful discovery. Behind the property, a winding trail leads into a mystical forest, inviting curious minds into daily adventures filled with wonder.
Our Philosophy
Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm in Aptos offers a unique program in a beautiful setting. Our curriculum is emergent, and we put a strong emphasis on creating a connection to the natural world. Our open sunny classroom creates a warm environment, and we encourage freedom of choice and relationship building. Set on several acres, every day is filled with the beauty of nature, the joys of friendship, and fun activities geared toward artistic expression, physical movement, and the development of a lifelong love of learning.
We Strive to Cultivate:
1. Thinking Skills: we explore learning through interests and exploring new topics. We feed our learner's curiosity by exploring our natural world and encouraging them to wonder and ask questions.
2. Social Skills: We teach and practice mindfulness skills, and respect and love for ourselves and others, through conflict resolution activities and discussion.
3. Respect and Responsibility to the Environment: Respect is something that is learned. We teach respect by giving respect and being the example for students to utilize. Using our beautiful outdoor setting, we develop our student’s appreciation for the natural world though gardening, farming, and enjoying the beautiful outdoor spaces here at school. We also teach wilderness survival skills throughout the year.
4. Imagination and Play: Music, story telling, dramatic play, art, and friendship are an important part of our program. With our groups being mixed ages, we ensure all children are playing together, finding their own friend groups, and working through emotional moments together, without judgement.
5. Physical Development: We spend ample time outdoors and learners are encouraged to test and develop their physical abilities, enjoying our large yard with space for running, apple trees for climbing, a zipline to conquer fears, basketball hoop in the bottom loop, and so much more.
6. An Understanding of our Rights: We learn our rights as Americans and compare and contrast the rights of other countries, maintaining an open conversation about "hot topics" that learners will effortlessly be able to talk about any topic, without limit and restraint.
Our Director
Teacher Katie
School Director
Katie’s first experience in teaching was in 2000 when she traveled to Romania and spent 6 months teaching art and English classes to kindergarten through 2nd grade students at the Transylvania College. After such a rewarding and inspiring experience, Katie decided that opening a farm based play-based school back home was her dream. In 2008, Katie opened a Preschool Program, teaching and directing this program until 2018, when she decided to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling. At this same time, Katie also started to home school her oldest child, then 12. He was no longer thriving in the school he had been enrolled in since kindergarten, and both Katie and her son felt that homeschool was going to work well for them. And it did! However, when our community shut down and changed drastically in 2020, many of the programs that homeschooled kids were participating in either shut down and enforced mandates that Katie’s family has chosen not to participate in. Thus, the decision to open a new program, Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm, was made. Katie’s vision has been that FS&F is a special blend of the best parts of homeschool and school away from home.
Our Teachers
Teacher Hannah
Co-Director &
Preschool, Elementary, and High School Teacher
Hannah is currently our sole Schoolhouse Teacher here at Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm. With over a decade of teaching experience spanning Preschool through 12th Grade, Hannah brings a deep well of knowledge, care, and passion to her role.
Driven by a lifelong sense that something was fundamentally misaligned in the U.S. education system, Hannah followed a path shaped by research, intuition, and love. That journey eventually led her to meet Katie, and together they opened Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm in 2021—an inspired alternative to conventional schooling.
Hannah’s approach to education centers around a consistent and grounded morning routine. Each day, she works closely with her students on personalized, bite-sized lessons designed specifically for each learner. This individualized curriculum allows understanding to naturally build and expand, like a snowball gathering momentum.
Recognizing that humans thrive on routine, consistency, and security, Hannah creates a learning environment that nurtures not just academic growth, but emotional well-being. At Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm, we believe in the power of small group learning, where every child feels seen, heard, and truly supported.
We place high value on identifying and nurturing each student’s strengths and challenges—helping them grow in character, confidence, and social awareness. We reflect on both positive and negative self-talk, and guide children in developing tools for self-esteem and healthy connection.
Here, we are human first, and students second.
We are human first, and students second.
