Grade 1 and Grade 2 at The Hundred Acre School
Since the school opened in 2014, our families consistently requested that we expand our offerings so that students would be able to utilize the dynamic learning environment at Heritage Museums & Gardens, our STEM focused curriculum and our talented educators. Parents also expressed the importance of play based learning and opportunities to learn in, about and with nature. Our full day Kindergarten program began in 2019 and was filled to capacity in the first year.
Since its establishment in 2014, our school has been consistently responding to the desires of our families who have longed for an expansion of our educational offerings. They sought continuity in the exceptional learning environment provided by Heritage Museums & Gardens, our STEM-focused curriculum, and the expertise of our dedicated educators into the elementary years. Additionally, parents have emphasized the significance of play-based learning and the invaluable experiences gained through interactions with nature.
In 2019, we proudly introduced a full-day Kindergarten program that immediately reached full capacity within its inaugural year. Of course, the request for Grade 1 came soon after that. Our first Grade 1 classroom opened in 2021.
Attending elementary school within a museum and botanical garden offers a truly distinctive educational experience. Our elementary school consists of three grades (K, 1, & 2), each with approximately 14 students, fostering individualized support, a tight-knit community, and the versatility of a larger group totaling 30 students. We view each classroom as a cohort that will journey through these formative years together.
As one family eloquently expressed, “I’m grateful that my young student gets to swim in this pond, before jumping in the ocean.”
In our philosophy, we emphasize the importance of granting early elementary students the freedom to play, explore, engage in physical activity, and cultivate a passion for learning. Learning isn’t confined to desks or classrooms; in fact, our students spend an average of 2.5 hours outdoors daily. Our STEM curriculum is hands-on and capitalizes on the natural world to provide immersive learning experiences. Furthermore, elementary students benefit from dedicated literacy, math, STEM, and outdoor adventure learning blocks.
Our teachers collaborate closely with families to provide each child with the appropriate engagement and encouragement necessary to foster a love for learning and school.
Our program is a full day allows for care from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
- Flexible drop off included with all enrollments from 8:30-9am
- Our school day is from 9am – 3pm.
- Flexible pick up included with all enrollment from 2:50pm-3:20pm
- Add optional after care 3pm-4:30pm
Please note:
- We are open for a regular week of school during what is typically February public school vacation week.
- Beginning in 2025, we will be closed for April vacation.
- We follow Sandwich Public for weather related closures. If there is a weather delay, we open at 10am.
Enrollment
- We accept up to 14-16 students each school year.
- Priority Enrollment: Current students are accepted first during a priority enrollment period.
- Enrollment or the waitlist opens to the general public in January.
- We have students from Sandwich and many towns on and off Cape Cod.
Classroom & Teachers
- Our elementary program has three classrooms:
- 2 Kindergartens
- 1 Mixed Grade 1 and Grade 2
- Our Grade 1 & 2 teachers are licensed and have at least a BA in Education, learn more here.
- We will offer a mixed Grade 1 & Grade 2 classroom for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year. The classroom will be staffed with two teachers. Grade-level groups will be utilized during literacy and math instruction, so we will have very low student-teacher ratios! This is great for individual support and personalized instruction, which is what The Hundred Acre School does best.
- Our elementary teachers work as a multi-teacher team to brainstorm and collaborate to create a truly special elementary program. While it is a gift to have a small class size, the K-2 community can gather as a group of 40 students for different outdoor activities and foster friendships beyond their individual classrooms.
- Our elementary support teacher floats between the classrooms assisting teachers and students as needed.
- If you are interested in a tour. Learn about upcoming opportunities and sign up by clicking here
Enrollment Details for 2024-2025
Enrollment Process for New Students
Step 1: Submit an Enrollment Request and create a Brightwheel account.
Make sure to turn on all notifications in your account as we will only communicate with you about your enrollment through Brightwheel.
Step 2: Fill out the Application and Pay the Application Fee
You will be notified in your Brightwheel account of the $100 application fee invoice and 3 additional online forms gathering information about your child. You must complete this step before your child will be reviewed for acceptance.
Step 3: Accepted, Waitlisted or Declined
The School Director will reply within 1 week after the final item in step 2 is submitted. Please note that applications will be reviewed in the order that step 2 is completed. If we have openings, an acceptance letter and tuition deposit invoice will be sent via Brightwheel. If we have a waitlist, you will be notified of your status and contacted when space is available.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is taught through a STEM lens meaning that we approach concepts with curiosity and discovery. During the school year, students will study a series of investigations depending on their interests, teacher goals and environmental influences. Each investigation aligns with the Massachusetts standards for Grade 1. Our elementary students also utilize literacy curriculums and a mathematics curriculum to strengthen development of these skills.
Tuition
Tuition is billed bi-weekly in your Brightwheel account.
Grade 1 Daily Schedule
Open 8:30am-4:30pm for all grades ~ School day is 9am-3pm
2025-2026 Enrollment
- This is a new offering!
- For students that just miss the cutoff of PreK classroom.
- Students who turn 4 in September, October, November, December 2025
- Enrollment opens on October 30, 2024 @10am