At Recess Outdoor Adventure School, Strong Academics Come to Life Through Hands-On Learning and Adventure.

Preschool • Private Elementary School • Homeschool Classes
Full-Time + Part-Time Options in Newport, OR + Waldport, OR

Serving Lincoln County Families Since 2018 • NOAA Ocean Guardian School • Ages 3-12 • Small-Group Learning

Recess Outdoor Adventure School offers academically ambitious, personalized education designed around how each child learns best, with hands-on learning and real-world experiences at the heart of the school day. We serve children ages 3–12 in Waldport and Newport, Oregon.

Through small-group, relationship-centered instruction, preschool and elementary students are supported at their own level, with learning shaped around their strengths, needs, interests, and individual growth. Children build strong academic skills, expand their creativity, grow in confidence, and still have room to simply be kids.

Choose from full-time and part-time options, or join us throughout the year for camps, family field trips, date nights, and special events.

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ENROLLING FALL 2026-2027

Click Here to View Extended Care Options

Become a Recess River Otter!

Begin the process of applying to our school. Schedule a Zoom with us: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTZZ58C

Students use imaginary play to creatively design and build a full restaurant where they practice math skills (money, fractions, and time skills) through joyful interactions with other classmates and supportive teachers.

Strong Academics. A Joyful Childhood.

At Recess, We Do Both!

No Need to Choose.

At Recess, children receive strong, individualized instruction while learning through meaningful projects, real-world experiences, outdoor exploration, creativity, collaboration, and play.

Our small-group setting allows us to understand each student’s current academic level, identify areas for growth, and provide appropriate challenge—including opportunities to work beyond grade-level expectations when they are ready.

The result is a child who is capable, curious, confident, connected, and genuinely excited to learn.

Students build literacy skills through fun experiences together.

The RECESS Difference

Strong Academics

Students receive purposeful, standards-aligned instruction in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and critical thinking.

We focus on strong academic foundations while creating opportunities for advanced learning, deeper investigation, and meaningful application.

Children do not simply complete assignments. They read, write, calculate, research, discuss, investigate, create, and communicate their thinking!

Three Recess students gather to discuss what they are observing. One student steps into a leadership role, explaining what she’s recording.

Individualized Instruction

Children do not all learn at the same pace or in the same way.

Small groups allow teachers to understand each child’s strengths, needs, interests, and academic goals. Students receive personalized support without being held back when they are ready for greater challenge.

At Recess, every child is known and given positive support to soar.

A student is writing a creative story during extended care and enrichment at the Classroom in Waldport.

Real-World Learning

Academic learning becomes more powerful when children can use it.

Students apply their skills through science investigations, engineering challenges, field studies, creative projects, community experiences, outdoor exploration, leadership opportunities, and collaborative problem-solving.

Beaches, forests, museums, libraries, gardens, farms, and community spaces become extensions of the classroom.

Students use scientific instruments to collect live data to expand their math and science skills.

Learning You Can See

At Recess, memorable experiences are carefully connected to meaningful academic growth. Children learn more deeply when they can explore, experience, and make real connections to what they are learning.

What Parents Have to Say About Us!

“We loved the program they offered and all that it allowed our son to experience! McKenzie and Lori are so wonderful and it is abundantly clear how much they love teaching children. We felt so comfortable leaving our son in their care.” — Jaime P.

Ready to Learn More About Recess?

Meet with us on Zoom to ask questions, learn about current openings, and find the program that fits your child.

Prospective families are encouraged to set up a zoom meeting with us to begin the application process.

Schedule a Zoom

Recess is a NOAA Ocean Guardian School

In 2021, our elementary & preschool students collaborated to write a vision for how to make our little corner of the world a better place. Their message? Let’s work together to help the ocean!

Making our local beaches a cleaner place is good for everyone. We can all agree that Lincoln County Locals love our fresh local seafood, clean places to play, and beautiful beaches.

Through regular Beach Cleanups & Reusable Bag Giveaways, our students put their vision into action with the support of NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School program.

Over the years, their vision has expanded. Students now learn and care for native plants and wildlife throughout the year. In the spring, thanks to the NOAA Ocean Guardian School program and private donors, the students host an annual native planting event with partners from MidCoast Watersheds Council, Cape Perpetua Collaborative, Oregon Bird Alliance, & more along Beaver Creek in Seal Rock.

It is an honor to be recognized as a NOAA Ocean Guardian School for a fifth year!