Curriculum at The Mountain School at Winhall

The Mountain School at Winhall is an independent K–6 school in southern Vermont offering a rigorous, developmentally responsive curriculum grounded in strong academics, inquiry-based learning, and outdoor education.

Our curriculum is intentionally designed to grow with students from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. It emphasizes deep literacy and numeracy foundations, critical thinking, research and problem-solving, social-emotional learning, and meaningful connections to the natural world and local community.

The MSW Curriculum Guide provides families with a clear, grade-by-grade overview of what students learn across subject areas, including literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, STEAM, physical education, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning. It serves both as a reference for current families and an introduction for prospective families seeking a clear picture of the academic program.

Teaching and learning at MSW is active and student-centered. Students engage in inquiry-based projects, hands-on investigations, outdoor learning experiences, and collaborative work that build independence, responsibility, and confidence. Our Upper School program intentionally prepares students for the academic, social, and organizational expectations of middle school while preserving curiosity and joy in learning.

The MSW Curriculum Guide is reviewed annually and reflects the collaborative work of our faculty. It offers a transparent look at the intentional, mission-driven learning that defines The Mountain School at Winhall.

We welcome you to take a look, if you are interested in learning more reach out to our team. We are happy to answer your questions.

  • At The Mountain School at Winhall, curriculum is built for depth, flexibility, and real understanding. It is driven by what we know about how children learn best in a small, connected learning community.

  • Our curriculum is intentionally sequenced from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, with clear academic expectations that build year to year while remaining responsive to individual learners.

  • Students learn through questions, investigation, discussion, and hands-on experiences. In science and social studies, inquiry drives learning, encouraging students to think critically, conduct research, and make meaningful connections to the world around them.

  • When grade levels are combined, curriculum is planned thoughtfully. Subjects such as science and social studies may rotate by year, allowing for deeper exploration, continuity, and a richer learning experience over time.

  • Outdoor learning and place-based education are not add-ons. Vermont’s natural environment and local community are essential classrooms that deepen academic learning and foster responsibility, stewardship, and curiosity.

  • Strong literacy and numeracy foundations are paired with social-emotional learning, collaboration, and reflection. Students are known well, challenged appropriately, and supported as they grow academically and personally.

  • Our curriculum guide is reviewed annually and shared openly with families. It reflects the collaborative work of our faculty and a commitment to clarity, alignment, and continuous improvement.

    This approach prepares students not just for the next grade, but for thoughtful engagement, independence, and success beyond MSW.