Opening New Doors to Empower Learning

Welcome to the "WINGS"

Ages 14+ (High School)

Curriculum: Wings (grades 9-12) begin with a basic curriculum that enables them to fulfill Ohio state requirement and earn a Ohio High School Diploma. This program of studies is seen as minimal to what a high school can optimally offer.                                                                           Erdkinder Program: The Wings become intensly focused on a curriuclum that Maria Montessori called Erdkinder ('Earth Children') which she designed specifically for adolescent education. This approach supports teenagers in their quest for independence, empowers them discover their interests, talents, and potential carreer paths, and fosters a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship. The Erdkinder curriculum, whose principles have already been planted earlier in their school experience, helps our youth understand who they are within a wider frame of reference as they make their transition into responsible global citizens. 

Nightingale fosters theErdkinder model by replicating at the school the life on a traditional farm – tending crops and caring for animals, learning mechanical and culinary skills – while integrating these activities into standard academic studies within a classroom structure. The Erdkinder program offers Wings the choice of entering one of the following three classes: Ecology, Culinart Arts, or Microbusiness. 

Ecology Program: Students learn about regenerative ecosystems and how to increase biodiversity through the proliferation of native plants and woodland restauraton through the removal of invasive species on our 10-acre wooded campus. Lessons include the propagation and sale of pollinator and food-producing permaculture plants and trees from the greenhouse lab. The Ecology class proudly runs the Our Earth Native Plant Nursery – an initiative that connects the school with the wider community through seasonal plant sales (also for sale on FaceBook). The school also sponsors other outreach programs such as clearing brush at Buck Creek State Park and working in local community gardens.

Culinary Arts Program. In our Learning Kitchen, students parepare and serve nutritious school lunches with food harvested from our own Teaching Gardens. A two-year grant from the USDA helped broaden our Edible Schoolyard experience. Students also learn recipes from other world cultures and sell good to farmers markets and local bake sales. They learn how to run a kitchen to code as if they were working at a restaurant.

Microbusiness Program. In our industrial arts workshed, students learn skills related to the trades and cottage industries. They are especially drawn to perfectiing their skills in woodworking and bicycle repair. They design and craft products for sale such as wooedn benches, birdhouses, and shelves as well as objects like candles and jewlrey. (Link to Microbusiness Training page)