Grade School Program | The Little Farm School

Little Farm School Learning Collaborative

Our Mission

Little Farm School Learning Collaborative aims to educate the "whole person"—intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. We focus on fostering critical thinking, self-awareness, community, and creativity, preparing students to be well-rounded, compassionate, and responsible individuals and members of their community.

Our Vision

Little Farm School Learning Collaborative fosters lifelong learners who are critical and divergent thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and compassionate global citizens, placing equal importance on academic and social-emotional development. Little Farm School Learning Collaborative empowers students to understand their relationship to self, family, community, and the planet, promoting harmony, cooperation, and social responsibility. Little Farm School Learning Collaborative guides learners through self awareness, personal growth, and optimal well being, fostering a sense of belonging and purposeful living through Community & Connection, Well-being & Growth, Experience & Innovation.

A Learning Collaborative VS School

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Little Farm School is a Learning Collaborative. Maine laws regarding compulsory education require every child to be enrolled at a school (public or private) or registered as a homeschooler. Little Farm School Learning Collaborative is not an accredited school. Therefore, families fulfill their legal requirement regarding compulsory schooling by registering their children as homeschoolers. Our Learning Collaborative supports children and families by providing full or part time educational experiences.

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Homeschooling in the state of Maine means that you get to choose how your child receives their education. When choosing to homeschool, as the parent or legal guardian, you must:

Register your children as homeschoolers each year by sending a Notice of Intent to the Department of Education
Provide instruction or ensure that it is provided
Complete an annual assessment and submit it to the Department of Education

The annual assessment can consist of standardized tests or creating a year long portfolio of the student's work to be reviewed by a certified teacher. Little Farm School works with students and families in creating a portfolio of the student's work while participating at our Learning Collaborative.

While the final responsibility of ensuring an education is provided to your child lies with you, as a homeschooling parent, Little Farm School partners with all enrolled families to support them in completing necessary steps in this process. Students at Little Farm School work on their portfolios throughout the year. Portfolios are reviewed in June by a certified teacher who will be made available at Little Farm School. Following the portfolio review, a letter is generated for parents to submit to the Department of Education.

Resources

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Resources

Maine DOE Home Instruction Resources https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction/resources

Maine DOE Home Instruction Requirements, Forms, and Laws https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction/requirements

Maine DOE Home Instruction FAQ https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction/faq

Homeschoolers of Maine summary of the law https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/maine-law/steps-to-comply/

Little Farm School is excited to be stewarding the creating of our Learning Collaborative for children in grades Kindergarten through grade 3.

We know a sense of belonging is foundational to human well-being. Whether in schools, workplaces, or communities, people thrive when they feel seen, valued, and accepted. This concept is particularly crucial in K-12 learning communities because students are actively developing their identities and social frameworks. Families, teachers, administrators, and students must work together to create a space where everyone feels like they belong. Decades of research underscore the critical connection between belonging and student outcomes. When students feel included and valued, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and resilient. At its heart, belonging is about creating an engaging community in which learners of every age feel confident, valued, connected, and successful.

Project Based Learning

Our Learning Collaborative brings students together through project-based learning and real-world skills combined with traditional academics.

Project Based Learning transforms students by inspiring them to think differently about the chosen subject as well as themselves as learners, collaborators, and leaders. 
Project Based Learning prepares students for academic, personal, and career success; what’s more, it readies young people to rise to the challenges of their lives and the world they will inherit. 
Project Based Learning leads students to master core academic content and builds critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and self-management skills. 
Through Project Based Learning, students are inspired to redefine their identities as leaders, collaborators, and learners.
Project Based Learning enables teachers to make a difference in their students’ lives—academically, socially, and emotionally—and to experience the joy of teaching.

Outdoor Based Programming

Little Farm School Learning Collaborative is an outdoor education program that integrates the natural environment directly into the learning experience, prioritizing hands-on exploration and nature immersion. Key aspects include:

Curriculum & Instruction: Our program blends structured academic instruction with child-led exploration. Teachers use project-based learning, interdisciplinary studies, and authentic experiences to bring concepts to life in the barn, garden, field, and forest.
Environmental Connection: By using natural spaces as the primary classroom, students develop a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Activities frequently include nature walks, gardening, animal care, storytelling, and creative arts using natural materials.
Holistic Development: Our program emphasizes social-emotional learning, encouraging empathy, collaboration, self-awareness, and resilience. Small class sizes allow for personalized instruction, supporting students' cognitive, physical, and emotional growth while fostering independence and confidence.
Risk & Safety: Our program incorporates healthy risk-taking—such as climbing, balancing, and exploring—to build responsibility, while maintaining safety guidelines and supervision. Instruction continues in all weather conditions, utilizing our canvas wall platform tents for relief from extreme elements. A required gear list is provided to ensure all children are well prepared for this outdoor learning opportunity.

Learning Collaborative for Grades K-3

Little Farm School Learning Collaborative

Our Mission

Our Vision

A Learning Collaborative VS School

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Resources

Homeschooling Requirements in the State of Maine

Resources

Project Based Learning

Outdoor Based Programming

Enrollment Options and Tuition

Enrollment Options

Tuition

Interested in exploring enrollment?