Why Woodson Branch?

At the Woodson Branch School, teachers recognize the child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual capacities. Learn more about our curriculum below.

A rustic black wooden barn with an open entrance, small windows, and a colorful sign that reads WBNS, surrounded by trees and greenery, with picnic tables, umbrellas, and a white van outside. Overcast sky.
A boy using a propane torch to burn wood planks outdoors in a rural area with trees and hills in the background.

The WBNS Difference

What sets WBNS apart is not just what we teach, but how we teach it. Our role as educators is to create optimal learning environments that empower students to be active participants in their own learning. Teachers serve as mentors and guides, providing the tools, materials, and lessons students need, while also offering careful observation, thoughtful feedback, and relevant activities that foster growth.

Our campus is filled with natural materials, open-ended tools, and engaging spaces that encourage choice, creativity, and movement. Through a rhythm that balances structure with freedom, students feel safe to take risks, explore deeply, and reflect on their progress in meaningful ways.

We believe children thrive when they are given ownership of their learning—when they can move their bodies, engage their senses, and connect knowledge to real life. The result is a community of confident, curious, and joyful learners who are prepared to step into the world with integrity, adaptability, and care.

A young boy with curly hair, wearing a Star Wars t-shirt and blue shorts, runs outdoors in a grassy yard holding a homemade paper kite with a wooden frame and blue tail.

Primary Education (K-2)

In the primary years, learning begins with wonder. Students explore the natural world through play, stories, and hands-on projects that build literacy, math, and social-emotional foundations. With guidance and feedback from teachers, children grow as confident explorers, compassionate friends, and engaged members of their community.

A group of children sitting on a wooden bench and ground in a forest, listening to a man reading a book outdoors.

Elementary (3rd-5th)

As students grow in independence, projects invite deeper inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. Core academics are integrated with agriculture, outdoor education, STEAM, and the arts, helping children connect knowledge to real-world purpose. This stage fosters confidence, responsibility, and joyful rigor, preparing students for both middle school and community leadership.

A girl and a man are working on a craft project outdoors under a canopy. They are holding wooden spoons with cans attached, likely creating musical instruments. The table in front of them has tools, cans, and other supplies, and the background features trees and outdoor furniture.

Middle School (6th-8th)

Middle schoolers step into responsibility and leadership through complex, interdisciplinary projects. With teacher mentorship and real-world application of core subjects, students develop resilience, self-reliance, and a strong sense of identity. By graduation, they are prepared for high school success and ready to serve as innovative, compassionate changemakers.

Group of twelve women standing and kneeling on a wooden deck, holding handmade broomsticks and straw brooms, smiling at the camera.

Community Education

Our Community Education programs through Madsion County Community Learning Centers connect students and families to the wider Madison County community through workshops, events, and local partnerships that enrich learning beyond the classroom. By engaging with farmers, artists, elders, and other community members, children gain real-world skills, cultural awareness, and a deeper sense of belonging—essential ingredients for meaningful, lifelong education.