Rooted in Nature, Growing the Future: Inside Farm School by the Sea

Tucked between the coast and the country, Farm School by the Sea has quietly become a leader in nature-based early childhood education in southeastern North Carolina. What began as a dream to reconnect children with the land has grown into a thriving community where curiosity is nurtured, stewardship is inspired, and learning feels alive.

A Vision Rooted in Experience

Farm School by the Sea was founded by Alison Gordon, an environmental educator with more than 20 years of experience in conservation, community engagement, and hands-on learning. Growing up on her family’s farmland in the foothills of North Carolina, Alison spent her childhood exploring forests and fields, riding horses, and developing a deep respect for the natural world. Summers at the beach inspired her to study and protect coastal ecosystems – two landscapes that would later define the heart of Farm School.

Alison earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UNC Wilmington and is a certified Master Naturalist through the University of Florida. Over the course of her career, she has served as a conservation educator and department manager at Brevard Zoo, a naturalist at the Environmental Learning Center, and a development associate for Wildlands Network. Each role strengthened her belief that environmental stewardship begins in early childhood.

As a wife and mother of three daughters, Alison envisioned a coastal farm where children could form meaningful connections with nature from their earliest years. Today, as director of Farm School by the Sea and manager of Seahorse Stables, she leads a team of certified educators who share her passion for nurturing young minds through outdoor exploration and experiential learning.

What Makes Farm School Unique

Farm School by the Sea is not your traditional school setting – it is an immersive learning environment where nature is both the classroom and the teacher.

Children spend much of their day outdoors, exploring wooded trails, open pastures, and coastal habitats. Lessons are inspired by seasonal changes, wildlife sightings, and children’s natural curiosity. Mud kitchens, creek beds, climbing logs, and open-ended materials replace plastic toys and screens. Risky play is supported in a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate way, allowing children to build confidence, problem-solving skills, and physical coordination.

Small class sizes ensure individualized attention and strong relationships between teachers and students. All lead teachers are certified in early childhood and/or elementary education, blending traditional academic foundations with hands-on, nature-based learning. Literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development are woven organically into each day’s experiences.

The school’s unique coastal-country setting at Seahorse Stables also allows for equine-assisted learning opportunities. Interactions with horses teach empathy, responsibility, emotional regulation, and respect for all living creatures. For many children, these experiences become defining moments of growth.

Programs Designed for Every Stage

Farm School by the Sea offers thoughtfully designed programs that meet children where they are developmentally.

Little Sprouts | Ages 0-3

Designed for the youngest learners, Little Sprouts is a caregiver-attended program that introduces toddlers to nature exploration through sensory play, storytime, crafts, nature walks, and guided discovery. This gentle entry point fosters comfort outdoors and builds foundational social skills.

Nature Playschool | Ages 3-4

Nature Playschool emphasizes outdoor play balanced with intentional learning experiences. Children engage in seasonal themes, creativity, early literacy, and math exploration—all grounded in real-world experiences like gardening, animal care, and habitat discovery.

Farm School Pre-K and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) | Ages 4-5

For older preschoolers preparing for kindergarten, the Pre-K/TK program blends academic readiness with immersive nature study. Students develop strong literacy and numeracy skills while practicing independence, building community, and learning the value of responsibility. The extended outdoor time builds resilience and focus—qualities that serve children well in traditional elementary settings.

Farm School Summer Session | Ages 4-6

During the summer months, Farm School transforms into a seasonal adventure filled with water play, nature exploration, and farm-based activities. Summer Session keeps children connected to nature during the warmest months while maintaining the school’s core philosophy of hands-on learning.

Homeschool Enrichment Program | Ages 5-10

Designed specifically for homeschooling families, the Homeschool Crew offers children the opportunity to learn, explore, and build community in a nature-based setting two days per week. This program utilizes hands-on science, environmental studies, creative arts, equine experiences, and project-based learning to create immersive, engaging days on the farm.

Building Stewardship from the Start

At its heart, Farm School by the Sea believes that children who care for the earth will grow into adults who protect it. By allowing children to dig in the soil, observe pollinators, care for animals, and experience the rhythms of the seasons, the school cultivates environmental awareness in an authentic and lasting way.

This philosophy extends beyond environmental science. Nature-based learning supports physical health, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social development. Research continues to show that outdoor learning environments improve attention spans, reduce stress, and foster creativity.

Farm School by the Sea is a community hub where families gather, friendships form, and children build the confidence to explore both the natural world and their own potential.

In a time when childhood is increasingly indoors and screen-centered, Farm School by the Sea stands apart as the county’s leading nature-based early childhood education program—rooted in experience, guided by certified educators, and grounded in the belief that the best classrooms have no walls.

Check out more details on Farm School by the Sea on their website, linked here.

This article was written by Farm School By the Sea staff.