Old Rag - Traditional First Day of School

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School Students begin the 2010-2011 school year with our traditional hike up Old Rag.  It was a beautiful day and we were rewarded with spectacular views.

A True Community

This morning at Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm school 15 children and youth (current students, incoming students, graduates, and siblings), 2 parents, and 2 staff members gathered for community work.  Community work is a weekly event - students, siblings, parents, staff members, and neighbors gather voluntarily, taking time out of their summer vacations, to work together at the Farm School.

While we worked very hard moving our chickens to fresh pasture, weeding the garden, mowing paths, turning the compost, and cleaning the beekeeping equipment, it was truly joyful work because we worked together as a community.

Building community is hard work and a long term process.  It takes dedication by all included.  Joyful days like today remind us what good work it is.

Mountain Laurel Montessori MOVES

First Lady Michelle Obama is traveling the country encouraging people to move: to walk, run, play, just get out there.  

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School 
students MOVE every day!  

We work hard, play hard, and study hard outdoors - 

in all kinds of weather.

This photo was from a muddy spring day's soccer game.  As we hear about the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, lament the occurence of "nature deficit disorder" among our country's youth, or worry that people don't connect farms with food, I like to look at this photo.  There is pure joy there.       

Students Perform Music and Drama at Coffeehouse

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School students perform at the final coffeehouse of the year. The evening included original songs, drama, guitar, drums, duets, solos, group songs, and more.  The beautiful early summer night was perfect for the outdoor concert.

Creative Expression is an important part of life as a Mountain Laurel student. Students choose from among classes such as guitar, voice, watercolor painting, drawing, drama, drums, pottery, and dance. 

Lambs for Sale!

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School is selling 5 beautiful Border Leicester ram lambs. 

They are pedigreed with papers. Born in March.  They have been hand raised by the students and are very gentle.  Would be great for 4-H or another setting where they will be around children and youth.

Border Leicester sheep are a dual purpose breed: good for both wool and meat.  These lads would make great breeding stock.

Their fleeces are gorgeous: two black, three white.

Call for more info: (540) 675-1011 or e-mail mlmfarmschool@earthlink.net

As part of the Microeconomics curriculum, Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School students manage the money that is made through sale of farm products, as well as the expenses generated by the farm.  Raising, breeding, and selling the sheep are part of learning about economics hands-on.

Open House! Visit the Montessori Farm School Friday and Saturday (5/7-5/8)

OPEN HOUSE

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School

7th - 9th grades

Friday, May 7th, 9 am - Noon

Saturday, May 8th, 10 am - Noon

23 Sunny Slope Ln, Flint Hill, VA

(on 522 / Zachary Taylor Hwy, just North of Flint Hill)

You are invited to visit Mountian Laurel Montessori Farm School; Find out for yourself why students love going to school here!

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School is:

• 
  
  An academically rigorous, college preparatory curriculum
• 
  
  A strong community that fosters mutual respect among students and adults
• 
  
  A safe place to explore self-expression through the arts & sports
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  An environment that encourages a balance of freedom and responsibility
• 
  
  A great place to grow into a confident, capable, young adult

Education for a Sustainable Future

(540) 675-1011

Backpacking the Massanutten

Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School students backpacked 22 miles in the Signal Knob area of the Massanutten Range in VA.

In addition to helping each other to accomplish a physical challenge, the students learned many other skills.

Here, they learn how to light a one match fire: 

Brandon McCrary of Weasel Creek Outfitters taught us about the geology and the Civil War history of the area:

Students also enjoyed the plants and animals of the mountains: