Fern Grove Cooperative Learning

Fern Grove Cooperative Learning offers project-based and emergent (child-centered) learning that includes integrated academics with a play-based focus. Children take part in language and literacy skills development, early knowledge in mathematics and science, exploring arts and culture, hiking, free play, circle time, and reading as part of the daily rhythm.

• Ages: 3–10 years old
• Schedule: Academic year programming Monday–Thursday, 9am–3pm, with a two-day-per-week minimum for the 2025–2026 academic year
• Price: During the academic year, tuition is offered on a sliding scale basis, ranging from approximately $13–18 per hour

Fern Grove Cooperative Learning describes its mission as offering project-based, emergent (child-centered) learning for children ages 3–10, valuing knowledge from the environment and from one another, and fostering anti-bias learning and earth stewardship. The program states four mission points: Inclusive, Nature-Based, Cooperative, and Learning, including being outdoors in all weather and encouraging cooperative work among students. It notes a 6:1 student-teacher ratio and two cooperative learning cohorts: Ferns for ages 6–10 and Fiddleheads for ages 3–6.

The leadership team includes Co-Founder and Lead Teacher Sarah Amadei for the Ferns (6–10 years) and Co-Founder and Co-Lead Teacher Caryn Hewlett for the Fiddleheads (3–6 years). Staff credentials include degrees in Primary Education, International and Agricultural Development, Early Care and Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Liberal Arts and Sciences – Interdisciplinary Studies, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Education, Psychology, and Cognitive Science, along with CPR and First Aid certifications. The program states that it gathers on the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe and acknowledges the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s work to restore traditional stewardship practices and heal from historical trauma.

Last updated June 24, 2026.