Private Day Care Center in Orange County, NY

Watershed Learning Center's - The Birch School & Homeschool Resource Center:
The Watershed Learning Center is a learning alternative for youngsters in Orange County, New York and the Greater Hudson Valley. It is a nature-based educational program based on democratic principles. We serve students in Kindergarten through High School and Homeschoolers. We offer homeschooling support and assistance for families. We encourage child-led, child-centered, inquiry based and project based learning opportunities. We follow in the tradition of schooling which includes Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilio. We are part of an international network of progressive schools, AERO, Alternative Education Resource Organization.

We serve students from Goshen, Washingtonville, Campbell Hall, New Windsor, Cornwall, Newburgh, Walden, Montgomery, Maybrook, Pine Bush, Middletown, Blooming Grove, Warwick, Florida and surrounding areas.

Our Aims:
Watershed Learning Center’s aim is to provide educational alternatives for students seeking flexible learning. Supporting families seeking options for their students, the center offers full time and part-time student-led schooling, classes, on-going programs, a resource center, curriculum support and teacher consultations. Our focus is a holistic approach to learning, and our priority is to support child-led interests and activities. Individualized curriculum, combined with authentic participation in community life form the core of the program.

Accreditation:
The Birch School offer full and part time school programs (either 3 or 5 days per week) as well as homeschool classes and support for homeschooling families.  Assistance with NYS homeschool reporting requirements, consultations with certified teachers, and access to resources to enhance and liven homeschool curriculum.

At The Birch School we are inspired by and grounded in nature. The natural world sustains human life, and so all things relate back to nature. In these times of limited resources and increasing human damage to the natural world, we believe it is more important than ever to learn about, appreciate, and relate to nature and the outdoors.

We take inspiration from what we see in the natural world. At The Birch School, we embrace diversity, and honor and celebrate the unique contribution that each child makes to the school community. We encourage group participation, and consider each child and each family part of the school community. We have weekly and daily school meetings where all students are asked to participate.

We have a clearly defined Democratic process that we, as a school, consciously participate in. Students take responsibiilty for themselves, learn to keep their word and be accountable to others.

Birch School staff embody the ideal combination of educational expertise and diverse experience needed to create our individualized program for each student in the learning community.

The Birch School model of child centered nature based education requires exceptional flexibility and creativity to accomplish on a daily basis. Our staff bring experience in public and private elementary, middle and high schools; in School-Based, YMCA and Boys and Girls Club enrichment and social service programs, and in environmental education, experimental archeology, nature awareness, Youth development and outdoor education. Our staff have attained advanced degrees in education, constantly pursue professional development activities and work hard to ensure they are informed and conversant in the latest developments in environmental and democratic education, child-led learning, connected learning and the 21st century learning environment. We rely on the current common core standards as developed by NYSED and professional disciplinary organizations such as the Modern Language Association and the National Association of History Education, and are engaged as well in the contemporary debates on education reform and alternative education.