Core Classes (Mon-Thurs)
The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies show that his hands created them. Day after day they speak about it. Night after night they make it known. But they don’t speak or use words. No sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into the whole earth. Their words go out from one end of the world to the other.
— Psalm 19:1-4 (NIRV)
Our Learning Environment
Our home-based, two-acre outdoor learning space is backed by an additional 1,000 acres of Thorn Creek Forest Preserve. Your child may see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and a choir of birds in our oak and maple forest. Please review the families that are the best fit for this environment.
Our classes are designed to immerse our students in nature. That’s why each one-hour session Monday-Thursday includes a 30-minute transition period before and after to go on a hike or explore one of our learning stations about geography, building, music, art, history/civics, etc.
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Remnant core classes are for students age 10 years to 13 years:
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Genesis 1 (science)
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Counting Creation (math)
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Living Word Lab (language arts & social studies)
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Raíces de Español (Spanish)
Living Word Lab
(language arts/social studies)
We use Scripture as as the source text to build reading fluency, reading stamina, discourse skills, comprehension, and writing skills. The goal is to connect Biblical passages and related living text to historical periods and modern events.
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Instructor to student ratio: 1:15
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Class maximum of 30 students
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Minimum requirements: ​All students must be able to fluently read and write recaps from the NIRV Bible translation
Time:
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Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. drop off
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Class time: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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Pick up between 10-10:15 a.m.
Counting Creation
(math)
Math is not just numbers and equations. It's the pattern of creation. We use the “Wild Math” approach to help students slowly master foundational math concepts. We use forest elements as manipulatives and build calculation skills through nature-based themes, especially gardening and woodwork.
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Instructor to student ratio: 1:15
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Maximum of 30 students
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Minimum Requirements: All students must be ready to dive into multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and pre-algebra
Time:
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Monday-Thursday, 10-10:15 a.m. drop off
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Class time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
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Pick up between 11:30-11:45 a.m.
Genesis 1
(science)
​This outdoor science class uses Genesis 1 and other living books as the source text to explore God’s creation. It blends life sciences, physical sciences, and earth sciences into an investigation-based approach, not only to learn the information, but to spark worship for our Creator.
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Instructor to student ratio: 1:15
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Maximum of 30 students
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Requirements: All students must be able to fluently read from the NIRV Bible translation—and they must love dirt.
Time:
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Monday-Thursday, 11:30-11:45 p.m. drop off
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Class time: noon-1 p.m.
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Pick up between 1-1:15 p.m.
Raíces de Español
(beginner Spanish)
As our country’s second most popular language, we train young people in the basics of Spanish language structure. Our outdoor nature focus gives opportunity for place-based practice in verb conjugation and vocabulary building. ​
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Instructor to student ratio: 1:15
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Maximum of 30 students
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Minimum requirements: ​Must love music
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Time:
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Monday-Thursday, 1-1:15 p.m. drop off
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Class time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
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Pick up between 2-2:45 p.m.
Fees & Payment Terms
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Core class cost: $200/month per student for each class. Core classes require a full-semester commitment.
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10% percent discount available for siblings
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All class payments due on the 15th of the month prior to the start of the class. Students are not permitted to attend class until full payment is received.
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Core class enrollment DOES NOT include access to Friday Skill School classes. Please check out those offers separately.
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10% discount for students enrolled in all four core classes (Total of $720/month for all four core classes)
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Food is not included in class fees. Each student is responsible for bringing a snack/lunch and a refillable water bottle.
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There are no makeup classes for personal absences. However, a makeup session will be offered for classes that Remnant cancels due to emergency weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstance.
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Refunds & Cancellations
A request for refund means the family has already paid the monthly class fee for a core class and would like to receive their payment back. Remnant Nature Academy does not offer refunds for core class payments.
A request for cancellation means the family has enrolled in the class for the semester, but want to discontinue enrollment and monthly class payments after the class has started. Remnant will consider cancellations on a case-by-case basis when and if the student’s spot in that core class is filled.
Class Size
At Remnant, our core classes maintain a 15:1 student-to–instructor ratio with opportunities for parent volunteers. Our max capacity for each class is 30 students, one lead teacher, and one assistant teacher.
That choice is very intentional. In a world where middle schoolers are often lost in crowded classrooms, we believe being seen is not optional—it’s essential. Teachers actually know their students, how they learn, what motivates them, where they struggle, and where they shine. If a young person needs more support—academically, emotionally, or socially—we will notice early. And when a young person is ready to soar, we don’t ask them to wait. They are engaged, not coasting.
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Our multi-age classrooms are another powerful advantage. Middle schoolers need to learn from each another. Mixed ages allow students to grow at their own pace rather than being boxed into an arbitrary grade-level expectation. Younger students benefit from peer models. Older students develop leadership, confidence, and responsibility by guiding others. Everyone learns that growth isn’t a race—it’s a process.​​