Inside A Nature-Based School Near Boston
About this episode
Kerry McDonald discusses the founding and philosophy of the Birches School, a nature-based K–8 independent school near Boston, with its founders Serena Wilkie Gifford and Kate Walker.
This week on the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Serena Wilkie Gifford and Kate Walker of the Birches School , a nature-based K–8 independent school in the Boston area that began in 2012 with just five students and now serves about 75 learners. Serena and Kate share the school's founding story, its progressive educational philosophy, and how nature is woven throughout the curriculum—from math lessons outdoors to history explorations in the woods. They discuss the benefits of outdoor learning for children's well-being, curiosity, and engagement, while also emphasizing strong academics, close relationships, and child-centered learning. Kerry and her guests also explore why more families are seeking alternatives to conventional schooling, the growing interest in nature-based education, and how small, mission-driven schools like Birches are creating learning environments where children thrive. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org . Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling , is available now wherever books are sold!
People in this episode
Host: Kerry McDonald
Guests: Serena Wilkie Gifford, Kate Walker
Topics covered
- nature-based education
- progressive educational philosophy
- outdoor learning
- child-centered learning
- alternative schooling
Keywords
- nature-based school
- outdoor learning
- education alternatives
- child well-being
- progressive education
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Birches School
Books & works: Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling
Places: Boston
More episodes of LiberatED Podcast
- Navigating Legal Challenges as an Education Entrepreneur, with ERC's Lynn Swanson
- From Democratic School Founder to Urban Nature Educator
- What If Learning Started with Curiosity Instead of Curriculum?
- Inside a Youth-Run Microschool in Virginia
- When A Microschool Founder Has To Step Away
- How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the LiberatED Podcast podcast page.