08/27/2026
🌲 WHAT IF SCHOOL HAPPENED OUTSIDE?
What if children spent a meaningful part of every school day exploring the woods, observing the seasons, asking questions, building things, solving problems, and learning through the world around them?
That is the idea behind Ashby Evergreen Charter School, a proposed Finnish-inspired forest school envisioned for the former Ashby Elementary School campus.
🌿 So, what exactly is a forest school?
Forest school is more than taking children outside once in a while. At Ashby Evergreen, outdoor learning would be a regular and integral part of the school day.
Students might study science by investigating a stream or wetland, practice math by measuring and mapping their surroundings, develop writing skills by documenting observations, or work together to design and build something.
The approach is inspired by Finnish education and combines outdoor, phenomenon-based learning with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
And yes—children would actually go outside in New England weather. 🌧️❄️
We believe learning to navigate changing weather, challenging conditions, unfamiliar problems, and the occasional muddy pair of boots can be part of becoming capable, confident, and resilient human beings.
🌲 WHY ASHBY?
The proposed school would be located on approximately 55 acres of forest, wetlands, streams, and a pond at the former Ashby Elementary School site.
It is an extraordinary opportunity to turn the campus itself into a living learning laboratory.
✨ WHAT MAKES ASHBY EVERGREEN DIFFERENT?
• Daily outdoor learning
• Finnish-inspired, phenomenon-based education
• Multi-age learning
• Hands-on, experiential learning
• Strong connections to the natural world
• Individual Learning Plans and portfolio-based assessment
• Massachusetts academic standards integrated into meaningful experiences
• A focus on independence, collaboration, creativity, and resilience
This isn't about lowering academic expectations. It's about giving children more ways to engage deeply with what they are learning—and understand why it matters.
💚 AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
We are still building this school. That means we want questions, ideas, concerns, and honest conversation.
Have questions about enrollment, academics, transportation, outdoor learning, the charter process, or the proposed location?
Or are you simply curious about what a Finnish-inspired forest school in Ashby might actually look like?
Come find out.
📍 Ashby Evergreen Charter School Informational Meeting
📅 Tonight — August 27
⏰ 6:30 PM
📚 Ashby Free Public Library
Come with questions. Come with curiosity. Bring a friend.
The initial application has been submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and we are currently awaiting word about whether we will be invited to submit a final application.
There is still a great deal of work ahead. Nothing is guaranteed.
But we are excited about the possibility of creating something truly special for children and families in our region.
🌲 Come see what we're imagining.
