Students work collaboratively in the forest to lift a large tree branch, utilizing communication and gross motor skills.

Strong Academics. Small Groups. Real Adventures.

Recess Outdoor Adventure School offers academically ambitious, individualized education for children ages 3–12 in Waldport and Newport, Oregon.

Students build strong foundations in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and critical thinking—and then bring that learning to life through hands-on projects, outdoor exploration, field studies, creativity, and real-world experiences.

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

Children Should Not Have to Choose Between Academic Challenge and a Joyful Childhood

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 take a break from playing to discuss what they are observing. One student steps into a leadership role as she shows 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.

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, 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.

A student discovered a jaw bone of a small mammal while dissecting an owl pellet.

Coastal Field Studies

Students investigate a variety of coastal habitats while developing skills in marine biology, ecology, scientific observation, classification, data collection, vocabulary, and field-note writing.

Four students work in a team to explore animals in the estuary.

Building and Engineering

Fort construction and design challenges strengthen measurement, planning, spatial reasoning, teamwork, persistence, and problem-solving.

A student poses in front of a fort he worked to build with a team of friends.

Nature Journaling

Students combine scientific illustration, careful observation, descriptive writing, research, vocabulary, and reflection.

A passionate journaler shares her observations with a friend.

Cooking and Baking

Recipes become lessons in fractions, measurement, sequencing, chemistry, reading comprehension, responsibility, and independence.

Roasting a marshmallow to perfection grows patience.

Museums and Community Learning

Museum, library, and community field trips provide opportunities for research, inquiry, historical understanding, scientific discovery, and real-world connection.

Students explore a traveling exhibit from the U of O Natural and Cultural Museum.

Student Leadership

Student Council and collaborative projects strengthen organization, public speaking, decision-making, communication, civic responsibility, and confidence.

Students take turns leading as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. One responsibility is choosing how to spend student council funds every month. Special field trips, art and science activities, and class parties are top choices.

Art Exploration

Drawing, painting, sculpture, and nature-inspired projects strengthen creativity, fine-motor skills, visual communication, artistic techniques, self-expression, and confidence.

Students have fun exploring watercolor techniques.

Music Exploration

Singing, rhythm, instruments, movement, and music appreciation strengthen listening skills, coordination, pattern recognition, memory, creativity, and self-expression.

Language Exploration + Global Connections

Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) experiences introduce new vocabulary, communication skills, cultural awareness, memory, confidence, and an appreciation for different ways of connecting with others. Students also have access to a variety of books in Braille and multiple languages, including German, Danish, Japanese, and more, helping them develop curiosity about language, culture, and diverse ways of reading and communicating.

Building confidence and communication through presenting a poster to her classmates about France!

Project-Based Learning

Meaningful, hands-on projects allow students to explore complex questions, connect multiple academic subjects, solve real-world problems, and create work with purpose. Through research, planning, collaboration, experimentation, and reflection, students strengthen critical thinking, communication, creativity, independence, and perseverance.

Students work together cooperatively on a project.

Find the Right Recess Program

Choose the program that best fits your child’s age, learning needs, and family schedule. From preschool and private elementary school to homeschool classes, extended care, camps, and special adventures, each Recess option combines small-group instruction, meaningful academics, creativity, outdoor exploration, and real-world learning.

Private Elementary School

A small-group elementary education that combines strong academics, individualized instruction, hands-on learning, and real-world experiences.

Students build essential skills while receiving opportunities to think deeply, work beyond the basics, and develop confidence as capable learners.

Homeschool Classes

Flexible one- to four-day options for families seeking meaningful academics, community, enrichment, and outdoor adventure.

Students learn alongside peers through engaging instruction, field studies, projects, science, creativity, and collaborative experiences.

Preschool Programs

A joyful and academically rich beginning for young learners.

Children develop early literacy, mathematics, science, communication, independence, creativity, and social-emotional skills through individualized instruction, purposeful play, projects, and outdoor exploration.

Before & After School Enrichment and Care

More than traditional childcare.

Students receive academic support, enrichment, creative opportunities, outdoor play, projects, and connection within a consistent small-group community.

Before and after school care and enrichment is available in Waldport from 7:30 AM–5:00 PM, with transportation provided to and from Recess classes in Newport. Space is intentionally limited to preserve a personal, high-quality experience for every child.

Now Enrolling 2026-2027!

🏕️ Hands-on outdoor adventures & learning experiences for preschool & elementary aged children in Newport, Oregon. 🍂

⛄️ LEARN through PLAY: EXPAND your ACADEMIC & SOCIAL SKILLS!

🐋 EXPLORE: Take field trips to gardens, estuaries, creeks, farms, beaches, and forests. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors.

🔎 DISCOVER: Conduct science experiments, watch wildlife from a respectful distance, engineer, touch ancient fossils, find agates, learn local foraging techniques, respectfully learn about various cultures, explore basic Spanish & American Sign Language, develop a love of books, and dive into topics that you love.

🎨 CREATE: Art, stories, poems, plays, inventions, mud pies, forts, and deep friendships.

Apply Today!

Prospective families are encouraged to set up a zoom meeting with us to begin the application process. To set up a zoom meeting use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTZZ58C

As a courtesy to families, we offer a monthly payment options. Prices are listed per child within the registration form. All payments are non-refundable, non-transferable, and due reguardless of attendance. This stability allows us to retain excellent staff and provide high quality education & care.

What Parents Have to Say About Us!

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 funding from 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 funded by NOAA for a fifth year!