Kona, Hawaii · t-KINDERGARDEN age 4-6
Outdoor unschooling community
Our mission is to empower our local community by offering what many families have been waiting for : an alternative to homeschooling with real teacher support that goes from preschool to 4th grade.
Our philosophy
Learning rooted in the land
We believe children are born explorers. Our nature-immersive program follows the children's natural rhythms and Hawaii's seasons.
PILINA - Community building
It is our commitment to build a genuine relationship based on respect and trust with all the families we partner with. Our children are our most precious gift, safety and trust are essential. Each 'ohana is encouraged to share their unique wisdom and skill set and be a part of our unschooling movement.
ALOHA 'AINA - Nature connection
Nature isn't only our roots and provider, but also an undeniable and inseparable part of ourselves. Bring the children back to the garden and to the forest. And with this, let's return to a more cohesive, sustainable relationship to the land, its people and traditional practices. Understanding the soil is primordial to understanding ourselves.
PIKO - The path to self
Education should be about holding a safe space and providing the tools and resources for each human being to find their path to themselves and access their full potential. Our curriculum is child-led, based on their natural interest and skills, while also encouraging curiosity and exploration. For this reason, our first approach to knowledge is through Kilo (observation). This allow your child to have a sense of power over their own learning journey, leading to confidence and self-worth.
Teacher & family connection
The ClassDojo app
Every day, our teachers use ClassDojo, a free app, to bring families right into the heart of the school day. Through a journal-style activity log filled with photos and descriptions, parents see exactly what their child explored, created and learned.
Daily photo updates
Teachers post candid photos and short captions throughout the day so families never miss a moment — whether it's a muddy kalo patch adventure or a first attempt at poi pounding.
Activity journal
Each post reads like a mini blog entry, describing the learning intention behind each activity and how the children engaged with it.
Live group chat
A shared class chat keeps every family in the loop on reminders, field trip details, and community news — and makes it easy to reach the teacher directly.
Connected daily
ClassDojo
Programs
Find the right fit for your family
Enrollment open for Fall 2026. Limited spots available.
Full time attendance
Part time attendance + field trip friday
Families love it
What Kona parents are saying
Marine has been my son's teacher for the past 2 years. Prior to starting preschool, my 2 year-old-son had never been cared for by anyone outside of our immediate family. It was a huge transition for him, one that was made immensely easier by Marine. My son took to her immediately which I attribute to her warm demeanor, open arms (literally), and innate ability to connect with children. It's clear that Marine loves children and is passionate about nurturing them from a young age. Marine is incredibly knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and local plants and wildlife and is committed to nurturing a love for the land and the greater outdoors in the children. She believes children are capable and instills in them the belief that they are capable. She fosters a curious, creative, and explorative environment where the children feel safe and are also given room to grow and develop at their own pace. Marine is the reason our son fell in love with preschool, and we are grateful to her for being a safe, supportive, and loving place for our son to learn about and explore the world.
Darcie Brown
Parent of a 4-year-old
Marine is the kind of teacher you're lucky to find. She is passionate about her work and connects with each child with love, respect, and kindness. She instills confidence in each child to help them take the steps they need as they learn, grow and conquer everyday challenges. We have watched our child thrive being with Marine and are so grateful to have found her. Marine is a gift and a treasure
Alicia & Ben Morrier
Parent of a 5-year-old
I've worked with Marine for two years at 'A. Nature Institute. I have been impressed with her creative teaching style and her ability to connect with her children in a loving and caring way. When Marine brings her children in the garden, she is their safe space. There are many new experiences in the garden that children can be unsure about. They look to Marine for reassurance and guidance allowing them to break through their insecurities and explore the natural world. Marine maintains a strong connection with the families, utilizing class dojo to include them in all of the experiences and happenings of the day. In addition to being a solid presence, she is very creative in the ways she teaches her children, bringing them outside to use their senses, calming them so that they can truly observe using what they have within them, finding links in nature to learn and explore. I highly recommend Marine as a teacher, she will be a loving presence for your children.
Nahele Louallier
coworker at previous nature school
Ready to join our school ?
Enrollment for Fall 2026 is now open. Schedule a visit and see the magic for yourself.