These 7 distinctive principles form the foundation of our educational philosophy and influence every aspect of our curriculum.
1. We teach from a Biblical Worldview
We believe that God is the source of all Truth. All areas of life at Lorien Wood School are to be understood in the light of the Word of God. We believe the Bible teaches that reality is governed by the paradigm of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Our statement of faith is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed.
2. We learn through an Integral Curriculum
Our approach to curriculum aims to align with the integral nature of God, reflecting the interconnectedness of His design of the world. The faculty-designed curriculum seeks to minimize the traditional boundaries between subjects, as we aspire to study the whole reality of the world in which we live. Supported by specific skills-based curriculum for math and phonics, we emphasize primary sources, great civilizations, inquiry-based science, and explorations of timeless literature, art, and music.
3. We are grounded in Classical Study & Joyful Discovery
We use a comprehensive approach to education that embodies our understanding of what it means to be a lifelong learner, including elements of both classical study and joyful discovery. Our teaching methodology aims to educate both the mind and the heart: we are disciplined and experiential, we foster intellect and curiosity, and we always seek to engage and meet the needs of the whole child (mind, body, and spirit).
4. We seek to Cultivate Character
We aim to cultivate in the hearts of our students the ideals of biblical character, including self-control, discernment, kindness, humility, integrity, joy, responsibility, and diligence. We encourage growth through faculty-student conversations, purposeful classroom management practices, and the study of role models in Scripture, history, and literature.
5. We know that Every Child is Unique
Our faculty strives to develop a deep knowledge of and appreciation for every child at Lorien Wood. Our small, mixed-age classes are designed to provide a supportive environment in which each child’s unique and God-given design is revealed and developed, while also providing the freedom for each child to progress at an appropriate pace.
6. We create opportunities for Parents to Actively Participate in the life of our school.
We believe that excellence in education requires parents to see themselves as part of their children’s community of learning and to be willing to assume a high level of service. By active participation in the life of our school, parents model service, leadership, and life-long learning as they explore God's world alongside their children.
7. We believe that Nature Nutures
We believe that Outdoor Education offers children the opportunity to explore their rich curriculum in the context of nature. Children engage in observation, grow in appreciation and take part in the stewardship of God's creation. As we expand the classroom beyond four walls and intentionally seek to discover more about God's creation and our place in it through both work and play, our students learn more about the character of God. The outdoors is used as a tool to support emotional, behavioral, and intellectual development.