We don't follow a single boxed curriculum. Instead, we use a blend of high-quality, carefully chosen resources, like Khan for math and Waseca for literacy, tailored to where each young leader actually is. Learning here is hands-on and exploration-driven, but literacy and math are woven into every single day in a structured way. It just looks very different from a traditional classroom.

Our cultivators are on the floor all day, every day — available for one-on-one support whenever a young leader needs it. And one of the beautiful things about mixed-age pods? Older kids naturally step up for younger ones too.

We have a dedicated schoolhouse, but don't picture traditional classrooms. Our space is designed around how children actually learn best, with purposefully built specialized spaces including an art room, maker space, quiet room, and more. Leaders move freely between these spaces based on their goals and what they're working on that day, creating a natural rhythm that no traditional classroom schedule could replicate.

Our mixed-aged pods currently accommodates up to 20 young leaders per Cultivator, intentionally small so every child is genuinely known and supported. I am on site every single day as head of school, and our layout is purposeful. Cultivators can always see the whole community, kids move freely between resources, and mixed-age mentorship happens naturally throughout the day.

This isn't a classroom. It's a community built for curious minds.

What qualifications do your Cultivators hold?

We call our educators Cultivators, because they don't direct learning, they nurture it. Every Cultivator at Curiosity Grove is background checked, CPR certified, and First Aid certified before they ever step foot in the Grove.

Beyond credentials, we intentionally seek out people with Montessori styled education, coaching, or entrepreneurship backgrounds rather than those trained in conventional teaching. Years inside a traditional school system can deeply ingrain institutional thinking that's hard to unlearn. Our Cultivators come in already believing in this model, people who follow a child's lead rather than direct it, and who live out these values themselves.

A lot and that's very much by design. We actively encourage young leaders to take their work outside whenever they feel like it, aptops, books, projects, you name it. Fresh air and nature are part of the learning environment here, and with 5 acres to roam, we want kids taking full advantage of that. Some of the best learning happens outside.

Personal devices are permitted at Curiosity Grove with trust and responsibility in mind. Phones, tablets, and smartwatches may be accessible during the school day, however, we expect young leaders to use them with the same integrity we expect in everything else they do here.

When technology is used for learning, it's on our school computers, which have comprehensive content filters blocking inappropriate material entirely.

Please note: If a child is found using a personal device to browse social media or engage in any inappropriate activity during school hours, parents will be notified immediately. That child will lose the privilege of accessing personal technology during school hours going forward, no exceptions.

We believe childhood is too short and too precious to spend it mindless activity. Our young leaders have 5 acres to roam, animals to care for, projects to build, and a community to connect with. Personal technology is a privilege here, and we treat it like one.

Safety at Curiosity Grove isn't an afterthought, t's woven into the fabric of how we operate. As part of the Apogee Network, we follow an intentional, multi-layered approach to keeping our community safe. Several things work together here:

Our program stages help young leaders understand that real independence is built through responsibility. By showing up, following through, making thoughtful choices, and taking ownership of their actions, they gradually demonstrate that they are ready for greater independence within The Grove.

Outdoor time and movement throughout our campus follow clear expectations designed to keep everyone safe while encouraging young leaders to grow in confidence and responsibility.

Younger young leaders remain closer to their cultivators and follow more structured routines as they learn what responsibility looks like in practice. As they grow, mature, and consistently demonstrate readiness, they are given more opportunities to make independent choices, manage their time, and take greater ownership of their day.

At Curiosity Grove, independence isn't simply given based on age. It's developed through trust, responsibility, and demonstrated readiness.

The kids set the rules, and enforce them. Each pod writes their own community contract at the start of every year. Honestly? They're often tougher on each other than we would be. Consequences like revoking Grove Tokens or losing tech lab time are decided by the pod themselves. Watching children hold each other accountable at such a young age is one of our favorite things about this model.

Eyes on the Grove at all times. Our Cultivators are always present and actively engaged, and the property is intentionally designed so that all outdoor spaces are visible and monitored throughout the day.

When a young leader isn't following through, we don't punish, we have a conversation. Cultivators help each child understand that their choices have real consequences, reset their goals, and create a path forward. Daily check-ins and weekly reflections keep everyone honest.

If a pattern continues, support increases and expectations become more structured , but the goal never changes. We're not here to control behavior. We're here to help every child develop the internal motivation to do the work themselves. That's a skill that lasts a lifetime.