Two-Day Homeschool Program (Grades 1-6)
Mondays and Tuesdays: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Waldorf-Inspired • Nature-Based • Screen-Free Homeschool Enrichment
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The Two-Day Homeschool Enrichment Program is designed for homeschooling families seeking a rhythmic, community-centered learning environment that meaningfully complements home education. Children spend two full days each week engaged in hands-on, developmentally aligned learning that supports intellectual growth, emotional resilience, social connection, and a lasting love of learning.
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All Spring River K–8 programs are intentionally screen-free, allowing children to engage fully with their bodies, senses, peers, teachers, and the natural world. Class sizes are intentionally small and will not exceed 12 students per class.
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Program Overview (2026–2027)
Grounded in Waldorf-inspired pedagogy and shaped by parent feedback, the Two-Day Program emphasizes learning through direct experience, movement, imagination, meaningful work, and time in nature.
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Why Two Days?
For many homeschooling families, two days offers the right balance between structure and flexibility, community and independence, and guided learning and home-based education.
The Two-Day Homeschool Enrichment Program provides:
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A steady weekly rhythm that anchors the homeschool week without over-scheduling
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Meaningful peer relationships and social learning in a small, consistent group
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Access to experienced, Waldorf-trained teachers and group learning experiences that are difficult to replicate at home
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Time for children to engage deeply in hands-on learning, movement, and nature-based experiences
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Space for families to retain ownership of their home education, pacing, and values
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Two days allows children to benefit from community life and expert guidance while preserving the flexibility, family time, and individualized learning that draw families to homeschooling in the first place.
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Belonging & Support at Spring River
New for 2026–2027
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Students in the Two-Day Homeschool Enrichment Program are fully included in all Spring River all-program festivals and community events, including Michaelmas, the Martinmas Camping Weekend, Parent Enrichment Evenings, the Winter Market, music performances, and the Spring Festival. This shared festival life fosters connection, continuity, and a strong sense of belonging across the wider school community.
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Beginning in 2026–2027, the Two-Day Program will also benefit from expanded pedagogical oversight and student support. The program will be guided by a Pedagogical Administrator, ensuring consistency, collaboration, and alignment across classrooms.
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In addition, Spring River is implementing an Integrated Student Support Program in the two day progam, informed by the work of Kim John Payne, to support the academic, social, and emotional development of each child. This whole-child approach emphasizes early observation, partnership with families, and developmentally appropriate supports that strengthen both individual students and the classroom community.
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Admissions Timeline
Applying for 2026–2027
Applications for the 2026–2027 school year will open for returning students on Feb 2 and for new students on Feb 20th.
Limited Availability: Spring 2026 (Current Year)
A limited number of spaces may be available for the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year, depending on placement and program fit. Families interested in joining mid-year are encouraged to contact our admissions team to discuss availability.
Learn More & Apply
For program-specific questions:
2dayadmin@springriverschool.org
To begin the application process or speak with our Enrollment Coordinator:
enrollment@springriverschool.org
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Combined First & Second Grade Daily Rhythm & Curriculum (Ages 6-8)
Crossing the Threshold with Wonder and Imagination
First and second grade together mark an important developmental passage—one in which children move from imaginative imitation toward greater confidence, skill-building, and social awareness. In this mixed-age setting, students are supported where they are developmentally, while learning side by side in a shared rhythm that fosters growth, empathy, and responsibility.
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At Spring River, our First & Second Grade Two-Day Enrichment Program offers a nurturing, Waldorf-inspired environment where academic foundations are introduced and deepened through story, movement, art, and meaningful connection with the natural world.
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Daily Rhythm: Circle & Main Lesson
Morning begins with a grounding Circle that includes seasonal verses, singing, movement, and rhythmic activities. This shared rhythm supports focus, joy, and readiness for learning while providing continuity for younger students and leadership opportunities for older ones.
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The Main Lesson introduces and develops literacy and numeracy through rich storytelling, artistic expression, movement, and hands-on work. While lessons are offered as a shared experience, expectations and follow-up work are thoughtfully differentiated—allowing first graders to be gently introduced to new skills while second graders deepen, practice, and apply what they have learned.
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Core learning themes include:
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Story as the Foundation
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Fairy tales, folk stories, and fables form the heart of the curriculum. Through these stories, children encounter archetypal imagery, moral questions, humor, and contrast—supporting emotional development, imagination, and social awareness.
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Literacy Through Story & Art
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Letters and sounds are introduced through image, movement, and drawing, providing an imaginative foundation for reading and writing. Second graders build upon this work through increased practice in reading, writing, and sentence formation, guided by readiness and confidence.
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Mathematics & Form
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Mathematical concepts are introduced through story and movement, allowing children to experience numbers as meaningful and alive. Form drawing, patterns, and number relationships support coordination, spatial awareness, and early mathematical thinking.
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Nature as Teacher
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Each day includes time outdoors to explore seasonal rhythms, observe the natural world, and engage in guided nature experiences. These moments foster reverence, curiosity, and a foundation for later scientific thinking.
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Head, Heart, and Hands
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Learning is fully integrated through movement, music, storytelling, visual arts, handwork, and practical activity—nurturing the whole child and honoring multiple ways of learning.​
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Outdoor play and nature connection remain a vital part of each morning, supporting creativity, physical development, and social growth.
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​Enrichment & Exploration
Afternoons are dedicated to rotating enrichment blocks, often in mixed-age groupings that encourage collaboration, leadership, and community-building. Activities are designed to meet children's developmental needs, with opportunities for second graders to take on greater skill, focus, and responsibility within shared experiences.
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Enrichment offerings may include:
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Creative Movement & Music
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Handwork (integrated into morning rhythm)
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Gardening & Nature Study (integrated into morning rhythm)
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Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL)
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Movement and Games
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Practical Arts
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A Warm, Purposeful Continuation
Our combined First & Second Grade program offers children continuity, warmth, and appropriate challenge. Through a consistent rhythm and a developmentally responsive approach, students strengthen foundational skills, grow in confidence and social awareness, and cultivate a lasting love of learning—held within a caring, nature-based community.
Combined Third and Fourth Grade Daily Rhythm and Curriculum (Ages 8-10)
Confidence and Connection in Learning
Third and fourth grade together represent a pivotal stage in a child’s development. As children grow more aware of themselves as individuals, they begin to seek clarity, structure, and a deeper understanding of how the world works. Our combined Third & Fourth Grade Two-Day Enrichment Program is designed to meet this moment with steadiness, purpose, and meaningful work.
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At Spring River, students are supported through this important developmental passage within a Waldorf-inspired rhythm that integrates academic learning, artistic expression, movement, and immersive experiences in nature—offering both continuity and appropriate challenge.
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Daily Rhythm: Circle & Main Lesson
Each morning begins with an opening Circle that includes seasonal songs, poetry, movement, and rhythmic activities. This shared practice fosters grounding, focus, and community while allowing older students to model confidence and leadership within the group.
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Main Lesson Blocks
Semester One: Humanity, Character, and the Natural World
Stories of human character and relationships form the foundation of learning during this stage. Through legends, myths, and rich narrative material, students explore courage, perseverance, morality, and the evolving relationship between human beings and the world around them.
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Semester Two: Practical Life & the Human Relationship to Earth
Students engage in a hands-on exploration of food, clothing, shelter, and land stewardship—examining how human beings meet their basic needs through thoughtful interaction with nature. This work supports practical skills, responsibility, and a growing sense of place and purpose.
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Throughout the year, literacy and numeracy skills are strengthened through integrated practice in reading, writing, mathematics, and form drawing. Artistic activities such as painting, movement, music, and drama are woven throughout the curriculum to support comprehension, creativity, and healthy development.
Daily outdoor time and nature immersion remain essential components of the morning rhythm, supporting physical vitality, observation skills, and peer connection.
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​​Enrichment & Exploration
Afternoons are dedicated to rotating enrichment blocks, often in mixed-age groupings that encourage collaboration, leadership, and community-building. Enrichment offerings are designed to meet students' development, with opportunities for increased focus, craftsmanship, and responsibility as children mature.
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Enrichment activities may include:
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Creative Movement & Music
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Handwork (integrated into the morning rhythm)
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Gardening & Nature Study (integrated into the morning rhythm)
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Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL)
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Movement and Games
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Practical Arts
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Growing Independence with Grounded Support
This stage of learning emphasizes independence, confidence, and social awareness, while remaining rooted in rhythm, beauty, and meaningful work. Our Third & Fourth Grade program supports students as they strengthen academic skills, develop responsibility, and build resilience—held within a nurturing, nature-based community that honors each child’s developmental journey.
Combined Fifth and Sixth Grade (Ages 10-12)
Strengthening Thinking & Self-Understanding
Fifth and sixth grades together represent a significant step in a student’s development. At this stage, children are strengthening their capacity for independent thinking, moral reasoning, and clear observation of the world around them. They are ready to engage more consciously with history, science, and the human story—while still needing rhythm, beauty, and meaningful connection to ground their growth.
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Spring River’s combined Fifth & Sixth Grade Two-Day Program offers a Waldorf-inspired learning environment that balances intellectual challenge with artistic expression, movement, and nature immersion. Students are supported as they move toward greater responsibility and self-confidence within a steady, relationship-centered rhythm.
Developmental Focus: Clarity, Balance, and Independent Thinking
The upper elementary years call for strengthening the student’s inner stability while expanding their capacity for thoughtful engagement with the world. Our curriculum at this stage supports:
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Executive Function & Organization
Developing memory, planning, and the ability to follow multi-step processes with increasing independence. -
Study Skills & Written Expression
Introducing note-taking, summarizing, and structured written work drawn from both oral and written sources. -
Emotional Balance & Moral Awareness
Supporting students as they navigate a growing sense of self, fairness, and responsibility within the group.
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Daily Rhythm: Circle & Main Lesson
Each morning begins with an opening Circle that includes movement, song, seasonal verse, and rhythmic work. This shared practice brings focus, coherence, and a sense of community, while helping students arrive fully into the day.
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The Main Lesson integrates academic content with artistic and experiential learning. Through storytelling, discussion, form drawing, visual arts, movement, and drama, students engage deeply with each subject. Lessons are presented in a shared format, with expectations and follow-up work thoughtfully differentiated to support both fifth- and sixth-grade students as they build skills, confidence, and independence.
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Main Lesson Blocks
Semester One: Myth, Culture, and Place
Students explore humanity’s relationship to the world through rich mythological and cultural narratives. Epic stories and regional studies invite students to consider courage, leadership, responsibility, and belonging, while strengthening comprehension, writing, and critical thinking skills.
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Semester Two: Observation, Science, and the Living World
Through age-appropriate scientific study, students develop careful observation and descriptive thinking. Work in zoology and nature studies supports curiosity, discernment, and an emerging capacity for objective understanding.
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Throughout the year, literacy and mathematics continue to be strengthened through integrated practice, while form drawing, artistic work, and movement support balance, coordination, and healthy cognitive development.
Daily outdoor time and nature exploration remain essential, fostering vitality, creativity, and a grounded connection to the living world.
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​Enrichment & Exploration
Afternoons are dedicated to rotating enrichment blocks, often in mixed-age groupings that encourage collaboration, leadership, and community-building. Activities are designed to support the development of craftsmanship, focus, and responsibility as students mature.
​
Enrichment offerings may include:
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Creative Movement & Music
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Handwork (integrated into the morning rhythm)
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Gardening & Nature Study (integrated into the morning rhythm)
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Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL)
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Movement and Games
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Practical Arts
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Strengthening Minds, Rooted in Rhythm​
Our Fifth & Sixth Grade program meets students at a moment of growing clarity and independence, offering challenge, beauty, and meaningful work within a supportive community. Through a steady rhythm and a Waldorf-inspired approach, students deepen academic skills, strengthen self-confidence, and cultivate a thoughtful relationship to the world—held within a caring, nature-based environment.
