About Gather Forest School

A Forest School is a child-centered inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. (https://forestschoolassociation.org) At Gather, we are a nature-based microschool where 75-100% of our day is spent outdoors, regardless of weather. Unlike traditional nature-based schools that spend 30-50% of their time outside, forest school days are immersive outdoor experiences. Our pedagogy is community-based, emergent, Black-centering, and flows with the rhythms of nature. This allows children to develop deep connections with the natural world while building strong academic foundations.

Gather rotates between several garden classroom locations throughout Dekalb County Georgia. We find it valuable for children's sense of wonder, spatial awareness, and understanding of biodiversity to experience different natural spaces. On rainy days, we meet at locations with covered or indoor spaces available—though we still spend the majority of our time outdoors! Specific location details are shared with enrolled families through our private Mighty Network community and GroupMe.

We do not schedule tours during our school hours. We have a small teaching team and to have a tour during school hours will take away from the learning and supervision of our students in space. We do have families who are willing to share their current experiences with interested families.

Families interested in Gather can join our 2026-2027 waitlist. We accept children ages 4-12 and enroll on a rolling basis as spots become available. Priority is given based on waitlist date and age/developmental fit for our multi-age community. Once a spot opens, we'll reach out to schedule a family meeting so you can learn more about Gather to ensure it's the right fit for your family.

Our program serves children ages 4-12. To thrive at Gather, children should be: Potty-trained (accidents happen, and that's okay!) Able to participate in a 4-hour program (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM) Dressed appropriately for all-weather outdoor learning (families commit to providing proper seasonal gear) Able to work independently We accept all children regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, family structure, or ability. We actively promote respect, understanding, and celebration of differences. If your child has specific needs or accommodations, please reach out—we're committed to working with families to ensure every child can flourish in our forest school community.