Nature Academy

At Hamilton Pool Nature Academy, we use a holistic approach to childhood education. Kindergartener age and older students engage in hands-on STEM exploration, social emotional development, and written and verbal communication skills.  Through farming, art, and strategic traditional academics on our 46 acre regenerative farm, we grow resilient lifelong learners who cherish nature's wonders, embrace their autonomy as well as interdependence, and can apply critical thinking and creativity to problem solving.

School hours are Monday through Thursday (8:30am - 3:30pm) and Friday Farm School day (9am - 2pm). 
Calendar year begins August 13, 2024, and concludes May 23, 2025

Our Guiding Ethos

Here at Hamilton Pool Nature Academy, our guiding ethos is rooted in the knowledge that time spent in nature is one of the healthiest, most impactful ways for children to develop a deep and positive understanding of themselves and of the world around them, and the connection between the two.

The well documented benefits of time and nature for health and learning — the sensory activation, the “happy chemicals” and regulating hormones produced in the brain and body, the experience of profound concepts like cause and effect and change and natural consequences unfolding in real time — these are invaluable teaching tools.

We understand that this foundation of strong self-awareness and a positive relationship to the world around them is the key to growing successful, lifelong learners.

Our Approach

When we say our approach is holistic, it means that academics or “school” are not treated as flat, serious, and “over there”,  and nature and play are separate, fun, and “over here”. Rather, our expert teachers integrate diverse fields of study and teaching methodologies into each moment, using hands-on, applied sciences and arts, along with social emotional mentorship and coaching. 

So many fields of study, including child development, psychology, neurology, as well as cultural studies - Eastern and Western, traditional and clinical –  show us that children learn best when the material is engaging and relevant to them, when they feel good about themselves, when they're in community, and when they're having fun. Rather than abiding by one dogmatic practice or educational theory, or one faction of life, our holistic approach brings education to life, integrating all for the whole child — and the whole planet.

By integrating accredited academic standards with immersive nature-based learning, we create an environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also resilient, empathetic, and environmentally conscious.

We are dedicated to providing an education that balances the best of both worlds – rigorous academics and enriching outdoor experiences. This unique blend ensures that your child is prepared for future academic success while developing a lifelong connection to nature and their community.

HPNA Students participate in:

• Experiential learning: knowledge acquired through direct, hands-on, sensory learning experiences

• Formal learning: knowledge acquired through a structured curricula or content presented by teacher

• Informal learning: knowledge acquired through discovery, natural interactions with others and environment

• Sensory learning: activities or materials for exploring that incorporate sight, smell, touch, taste or sound

• Unstructured play: play that does not involve adult rules, adult narration or adult direction

• Nature play: unstructured play in a natural environment

• Child-led/centered/driven: following children’s interest in activities, topics or places to allow them to make true meaning out of experiences

• Risk-taking play: play that allows children to determine their own physical capabilities (EX. climbing a tree); children learn to assess their own risks independent of adults telling them what they are able to do/capable of doing

Experiential Learning at Our 46-acre Farm:

The Hamilton Pool Nature Academy campus is on a 46 acre biodynamic, organic farm in lush Hamilton Pool, complete with permaculture vegetable and plant crops, a greenhouse nursery, medicinal herb farm, farm animals, as well as an indoor classroom space. 

Our students spend significant time outdoors, participating in experiences that provide practical applications of academic concepts, enhance problem-solving skills, and promote physical and emotional well-being. Experiential learning customized to student interest promote deeper engagement, critical thinking, and a personalized learning path. 

Each day, students immerse themselves in a world of exploration, creativity, and hands-on education. 

Our staff members include 2 master organic permaculture farmers, a teacher who holds a masters in child and family counseling as well as decades of experience as a public and private school enrichment teacher and curriculum author, and a lead teacher with over 25 years of early child development and education expertise. Students’ social, play, academic, nature, and farm experiences are guided by experts dedicated to maximizing learning potential.

• Farm Class: Students participate for 1-hour a day of learning and working with our farmers on seasonal tasks.

• Homestead Activities: We learn weekly homesteading skills such as cooking with farm fresh produce, making fresh butter/cheeses from local dairy, creating herbal remedies, fire building/cooking, and so much more.  

• Nature Study: Our expert Nature Study teacher uses a curriculum he created for Austin ISD, that has been featured on PBS and many other renowned education channels and platforms. Students participate in ongoing seasonal lesson modules that build on each other for a full circle academic year.

• Core Academics: Students spend 1-2 hours per day in the classroom incorporating their experiential farm and nature studies into traditional academic study - writing journal entries and reports, listening to and reading books, practicing written math, and completing lessons in history, geography, and social studies.

Social-Emotional & Life Skills Mentorship

We understand that all learning inherently involves social emotional skill navigation. Frustration thresholds, communication, confidence, team work, focus in groups, intrinsic motivation, independent and interdependent learning are examples of behavioral psychology that come into play in all learning. Conflict and challenges are addressed using in-the-moment coaching, rather than lecturing and arbitrary punishments. Our staff use lead personal safety non profit organization Kidpower’s (www.kidpower.org) skills as a primary teaching tool. Students practice empowerment skills that they can apply right away, for themselves, to feel more confident, uphold boundaries, improve relationships, and experience social success.

Low student / teacher ratios of 8:1

Hamilton Pool Nature Academy maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.  This ratio fosters personalized and supportive learning environments, allowing teachers to better understand each student’s needs and provide tailored instruction. By adhering to the ratio, we aim to maximize the effectiveness of our teaching practices and enhance the overall educational experience of our students.

Nature Academy's Academic Standards

We are committed to providing a holistic education that balances accredited academic standards with the enriching experiences of nature and farm-based learning and social emotional growth. Our goal is that your child receives a well-rounded education that adheres to traditional academic guidelines while also fostering a deep connection with the natural world and strong sense of self.

Meet the Teachers

• Tammy Kattner - Farm Owner & Educational Director

• Denlin Doty - Program Director & Lead Teacher