About
Where Nature, Creativity, and Community Meet
Welcome to Woodson Branch Nature School (WBNS)—a K–8, nonprofit, nature-based school nestled in the heart of Madison County, NC. Just ten minutes from Hot Springs, where the Appalachian Trail meets the French Broad River, our school is rooted in place and purpose.
At WBNS, we believe that children thrive when immersed in nature, surrounded by community, and inspired to learn in meaningful, respectful ways. Our mission is simple but powerful:
To raise confident, intelligent, peaceful, and creative leaders who are deeply connected to themselves, each other, and the Earth.
Our Story
Deep Roots, Growing Branches
Our story began in 2008 with the founding of the Hot Springs Community Learning Center, created to serve families in our mountain community with preschool, transitional kindergarten, after-school programs, homeschool support, and summer camps. Guided by the vision of Deborah Delisle, the school was nurtured by a small but passionate community of families and educators seeking a different kind of education; one rooted in nature, creativity, and meaningful connection to the world around them. Centered around a deep belief that children learn best through connection, to place, to purpose, and to one another. We grew from just ten students in our earliest days to serving more than one hundred children each year, all while maintaining a five-star rating from the State of North Carolina.
A turning point in our journey came in 2016, when the Cato Foundation, led by the continued generosity and vision of Edgar Cato, made it possible for us to put down permanent roots. Through this extraordinary gift, we were able to purchase the land that would become the home of Woodson Branch Nature School. Edgar’s support did not end with the gift of land.. For years afterward, he lovingly and patiently helped steward the campus-maintaining the grounds, caring for the property, and ensuring that this special place would continue to grow and flourish for the children who learn here. His quiet dedication, generosity, and belief in our mission helped shape the school in ways that will be felt for generations. Edgar Cato remains a true pillar of our community and an enduring part of the Woodson Branch legacy.
Today, our students learn and explore across a thriving 30-acre campus in Marshall, North Carolina, where the land itself is part of the classroom. Here you’ll find:
Rolling hills and open pasture
A blueberry orchard, apple trees, and Elderberry shrubs
Indoor classrooms and a restored 1,800-square-foot tobacco barn
Forest trails, creeks, and bountiful gardens bordering national forest land
It is a place where curiosity is nurtured, hands get dirty, and learning grows as naturally as the landscape that surrounds us.
Our Approach
Learning Through Nature, Art, and Community
WBNS follows evidence-based, developmentally appropriate teaching practices designed to engage the whole child—physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. We blend academic rigor with outdoor exploration and creative expression through a three-part educational model:
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Our agriculture program teaches students to grow, eat, and share whole, healthy foods. Children care for plants and animals, learning responsibility, sustainability, and a deep appreciation for the cycles of nature.
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Our outdoor education program takes students into the woods, creeks, and trails to engage in scientific inquiry, environmental stewardship, and real-world problem-solving. Lessons in chemistry, biology, and math come to life in hands-on ways.
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Art is not just a subject—it’s a mindset. Creativity is woven through all areas of learning, from visual arts to design thinking. We encourage imagination, innovation, and emotional expression as essential parts of the educational journey.
Why Nature Based Learning?
There is growing evidence that outdoor learning increases academic performance, social-emotional development, and physical well-being. Studies have shown that students with regular access to nature:
Retain information longer
Demonstrate higher reading and writing skills
Feel more excited about school
Perform better academically—especially those from underserved backgrounds
At WBNS, learning outside is not an occasional activity—it’s an essential part of every day.
The Owl Code :
At WBNS, we are dedicated to creating vibrant, respectful, and life-affirming learning environments that nurture our community and the natural world.
The Owl Code is more than words—it is a living practice.
Together, we uphold these principles so that every person and every part of our ecosystem can thrive.
🤝 Connection
We foster authentic relationships with ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
Connection is the heartbeat of our community—it is the spark that draws us together and the glue that keeps us united. Whether learning in a classroom, tending the garden, or sharing meals, we listen deeply, communicate openly, and show up with empathy and kindness.
⚡ Empowerment
We create and cultivate the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to make meaningful change.
Empowerment is action—it’s where innovation, creativity, and collaboration meet. By learning, experimenting, and building together, we grow the confidence and capacity to make things happen. We embrace curiosity, decisiveness, and resilience as we shape a better future.
🛡️ Integrity
We uphold honesty, respect, and accountability in all we do.
Integrity means we honor our commitments, own our mistakes, and lean into hard conversations rather than avoid them. By showing up fully and practicing transparency, we build trust and model the courage needed for growth, healing, and collaboration.
🌎 Stewardship
We care for people, place, and planet with purpose and compassion.
Stewardship calls us to tend to ourselves, one another, and all living things. From the forests and waters to the food we grow and share, we take responsibility for nurturing balance and wellbeing in our community and beyond. Our actions reflect our gratitude and reverence for the interconnected world we inhabit.
Join Our Community
WBNS is more than a school—it’s a vibrant community of educators, families, and students committed to learning, growing, and building a brighter future together.
Come visit us. Walk the trails. Meet the animals. Feel the joy. We look forward to welcoming your family into our learning ecosystem.