Our Campuses

Welcome to Magnolia Forest Preschool, a “Natural Childlife Preserve.” Our school runs on the belief that children are drawn to experience, to learning, and to each other. We see it as our responsibility to create an environment where each child can reach out for life and touch it, wallow in it, tinker with it, interpret it, and express it. The forest provides open-ended materials that inspire curiosity, wonder, manipulation, motion, contemplation, and gales of laughter. Here, our number one goal is to empower children.

POULSBO

Sherman Hill

The Sherman Hill Campus hosts our Waldkinder program for ages 5-8. On 7 acres of wooded land adjacent to Petal and Pitchfork Farm, children are given time to explore...

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Silverwood

The Silverwood Campus opened in 2020 and hosts a dynamic wooded space beyond the classrooms at Silverwood School (a private, K-8 elementary school). Our two unique forest classrooms here provide rich inspiration...

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Kitsap Memorial

The Kitsap Memorial Campus is our original Magnolia home. Here we launched and developed our unique play-based forest school method and continue to revel in the magic of the forest spaces where everything began...

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BAINBRIDGE

Bainbridge Island

The Bainbridge campus opened in 2023 and is lovingly nestled in the forest adjacent to The Island School. We are thrilled to be in partnership with TIS and by their warm welcome to join this wonderful learning...

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PORT ORCHARD

Port Orchard

The Port Orchard Campus, located at Manchester State Park, opened in 2023. Amidst the old growth forest, trails, and meadows, our classes will experience the joy and beauty of nature's outdoor...

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LYNNWOOD

Lynndale

At the Lynndale Campus children have daily adventures on the trails and open spaces tucked away throughout the diverse forest. The environment at Lynndale makes every day unique and gives children...

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SEQUIM

Sequim Bay

The Sequim Bay Campus was founded in 2020 and is hosted at Sequim Bay State Park off of Highway 101. Children start their day with a breathtaking hike through the old growth forest and across a large bridge. It has a magical feel that draws children in for a wide variety of...

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Land Acknowledgement

“Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished.” - Chief Seattle, 1854

A land acknowledgment is a statement that formally recognizes the historical and continuing connection between Indigenous Peoples and their native and ancestral lands. In this spirit, we humbly make this land acknowledgment.

We acknowledge that the land on which we daily grow and play is within the ancestral territory of the Suquamish (suq̀ʷabš), S’Klallam (nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕), Snohomish, Skokomish, Stillaguamish, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Peoples, and many more. We honor the cultures, histories, and continued contributions of Indigenous Peoples and acknowledge the violent history of 500 years of colonial oppression at the hands of European explorers and those who settled here. We recognize that these Indigenous Peoples are the traditional stewards of this land and will work not only to learn about their history and culture ourselves, but to pass on this learning to the children and families we serve. We commit to being stewards of the Earth and caretakers of future generations with a spirit of compassion, intuition, and deep reflection as we continue to grow and learn. With every single step on these lands, we deeply wish to intentionally notice and care for what and who we are standing on and staying with. We will work to partner with and empower Indigenous and Native People within our community and beyond, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable community. No land acknowledgment can right the wrongs suffered by these and other Indigenous People, but we engage in this practice to promote social justice, decolonization, and greater Indigenous visibility.

“In the safety and freedom of the woods, [my child’s] little voice started asking for things she needed – and getting those needs met. Through climbing, exploring the natural world around her, her confidence grew. Magnolia’s style makes room for that.”
“One of the biggest leaps has been [my child’s] ability to communicate her emotions. Instead of endless tantrums or guessing games, [my child] has been able to clearly tell me what she’s feeling. Being able to identify a feeling is one of the first steps to working through it for her. This is a big deal in our everyday life, and I believe it’s truly added to her life in a dynamic manner. At Magnolia, I know I have a group of other caring adults in her life to help her learn to trust herself and others, during those difficult life moments.”
“ We look forward to the year, as well as the adventures of the K-8th program to follow. I want [my child] to continue to grow and learn to trust herself and grow into a confident child, and eventually young woman, with respect for life, others and the world around her. Those values are echoed by this school as well. Having the freedom to be 100% herself in a safe environment as she discovers who she is priceless.”
“Now, as a first time parent, I’ll admit, I had my doubts when it came to the theory behind child-lead learning, but I’m now sold on it. The confidence gained by learning to climb a rock transfers over to facing new learning milestones, like counting. [My child’s] imagination is free to expand with simple tools and toys, friends, fresh air, and the occasional snow ball. Imagination is the mother of invention. [My child] knows School is a safe place to make mistakes, explore, and grow.”
“I cannot say enough how much my child has grown since school started in September! She went from crying at drop off and clinging to a teacher, to confidently walking to a teacher at the start of a school day and strutting back at pick up.”
“[My child] has great stamina! Before Magnolia she wouldn’t walk very far and now she is able to hike up to 3 miles! She also has a longer attention span. She will stick with a task for 45 min or an hour. Again, before school she would flit from activity to activity.”

Visit Magnolia and learn more

We would love to meet you! Each campus welcomes new families for tours regularly so that you can see the forest school space, meet the site director, ask questions and get a taste for the Magnolia Forest Preschool experience!

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Have a question?

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Forest school can be the perfect fit for so many children because it is uniquely tailored to support their strengths and interests. We look forward to connecting with you and your child further, and we hope to see you in the forest soon!

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