Teaching Philosophy

Fern Hill takes a whole-child approach to learning that supports students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Attention to the whole child ensures children develop an intrinsic love of learning while also meeting the Standards Aligned System established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Our approach to learning is:

INQUIRY Based

Learners are encouraged to explore material, ask questions, and share ideas.

PLAY Based

Child-led. Open-ended. Process-oriented.

NATURE Based

Learning occurs in the context of nature with extensive daily outdoor time.

S.T.E.A.M.

Hands on, creative opportunities to design, experiment, build and invent through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

SOCIAL Learning

Self-awareness.
Self-management.
Social awareness.
Relationship skills.
Responsible decision making.

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in the child’s soul.”

— Friedrich Froebel