Openings at Wind Ridge Schoolhouse

Thank you for your interest in Wind Ridge Schoolhouse!  The Schoolhouse is a nature preschool located in Duluth’s Observation Hill neighborhood.  Because of the small size of the program and the great interest in our community for nature-based programs, we have tried to design the application and enrollment process to be as equitable as possible. 

Enrollment Process

1. Openings for the upcoming school year are typically announced mid January.  Openings are announced on the Schoolhouse Instagram and signs are posted around the neighborhood.
   
   
2. Applications will be accepted until the application period is closed.
   
   
3. Applications will be reviewed, and the families that best fit the enrollment considerations will be notified and invited to come tour the Schoolhouse.
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4. ​If a family decides that they would like to enroll their child, they will complete the enrollment paperwork and put down a deposit for half of the first month's tuition to hold their child's spot.   If a family decides that they will not enroll their child, the family of the next child who best fits the enrollment considerations will be contacted for a tour.
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Enrollment Considerations
In situations where more that one family is interested in an available opening there are several guidelines for determining which child will be enrolled.

1. Sibling of a Former or Current Schoolhouse Student:  Families interested enrolling a younger sibling of a former or current Schoolhouse student are considered first.
   
   
2. Neighborhood Building:  The Schoolhouse is committed to community building in the nearby neighborhood.  Children in families who live within one mile of the Schoolhouse or whose parents work within one mile of the Schoolhouse have priority in enrollment. We want the Schoolhouse to connect families so that they can benefit from the convenient community of one another in many ways throughout their children’s growth.  We envision neighborhood children building lifelong friendships playing in the nearby natural places.  Of course, children from all parts of the city are welcome.
   
   
3. Full-time and Part-time Scheduling:  A balance of full-time (Monday- Friday) and part-time students is important for the continuity of play and relationship building in the class.   Part-time schedules are accommodated as capacity allows on a M, W, F or T, TH schedule.  Programming and curriculum at the Schoolhouse is designed for children who attend 5 days per week.
    

Wind Ridge Schoolhouse is a part of the Duluth Nature Play Collaborative which is led by a group of educators who incorporate nature play into each day.  Other programs in the collaborative include Lake Superior Zoo School, Hartley Nature Preschool, Secret Forest Playschool, Wandering Roots Nature School,The Forest School at Marshall, Duluth Forest Kinderhaus, Little Barnyard Preschool, and Kindred Paths Nature School.   Check for openings at these excellent nature-based preschool programs, as well.  

Wind Ridge Schoolhouse is four-star rated by Parent Aware.  Early Learning Scholarships are available for eligible families.