Every year, the Core themes will be inspired by the ancient elements: Earth/Sky/Fire/Water. For example, students start the year by considering the Earth. They are introduced to the school forest and its place in the ecological provinces. They study botany and animal science through their work in the forest. They apply math to their study of the forest with data analysis, inventory, averages, and statistics. They use the forest to inspire creative writing, and journal about their observations. They consider geography and the relationship between people and the land they inhabit, and students work with clay in art.

As the Core theme changes every quarter and the cycle repeats every year, students accumulate topics. For example, one year the Sky core seminar studies meteorology, another year it studies light and optics, and a third year it studies astronomy.

An important aspect of Core will be Community Service, which will bring the students into the real world while deepening their engagement with their school subjects.

The Core is designed to include: Science, ELA, Social Studies, Math application, Spanish acquisition, and Community Service.

An important part of our curriculum is ecological stewardship. Every year, the forest landowners will consult with the school about a particular land management goal. Students will present a plan back to the landowners for approval, then implement the plan throughout the year. Sample activities include:

Spring/Fall: Install plants, cage seedlings, pull buckthorn, pull garlic mustard, prescribed burn 

Winter: Plant inventory/forest mapping, process fallen trees, burn brush 

Year-round: care for domestic animals, build structures (benches, wildlife viewing blinds, tool shed), make and maintain a path, label specimens, treat disease.

Of the many subjects in the curriculum, mathematics is one that requires steady practice for mastery.  Students will be expected to routinely participate in math practice and learning.  While at OFA, students will complete a math course through Advanced Algebra. Students wishing to go further can utilize PSEO or tutoring options.

Unit classes are short courses that focus on topics outside of the Core Seminar. Sample topics include:

Personal Finance, Graphic Design, Business and Marketing, Engineering and CAD, Personal  Fitness and Health, Science Lab, Music Theory, Chamber Music, ASL, Spanish, Woodworking 

We schedule open work into our week to allow students time to focus on additional subjects or complete work for classes.