Strong academics, personalized learning, and real adventure.
Recess Elementary offers academically ambitious, personalized education for students in grades K–6. Through small-group instruction, hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and meaningful academic challenge, students are supported at their individual level while building the skills, confidence, independence, and curiosity they need to grow.
Grades K–6 | Newport + Waldport | Full-Time + Part-Time Options
What Makes Recess Elementary Different
Strong academics, small groups, personalized instruction, meaningful projects, and real-world learning—with room for kids to still be kids.
Strong Academics
Students build strong foundations in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and communication, with instruction designed to meet them where they are and move them forward.
Personalized Learning
Small groups allow us to understand each student’s strengths, needs, interests, and areas for growth. Students receive appropriate challenge—including opportunities to work beyond grade-level expectations when they are ready.
Hands-On & Real-World Learning
Students use academic skills in meaningful ways through experiments, engineering, field studies, research, projects, nature observation, community experiences, and problem-solving.
Independence & Confidence
Students are encouraged to ask questions, take academic risks, solve problems, manage responsibilities, collaborate with others, and take increasing ownership of their learning.
Every Student Is Different. Their Learning Should Be, Too.
A student who is strengthening foundational skills and a student who is ready for advanced work should not receive identical instruction.
Our small-group setting allows teachers to understand where each student is academically, provide targeted instruction, and adjust the level of challenge as students grow.
Students are supported in strengthening essential skills while also being encouraged to go deeper, move ahead, and explore areas of particular interest or strength.
Learning That Goes Beyond the Classroom
At Recess, academic learning is intentionally connected to real experiences. Students might measure while designing and building, write during a research project, collect and analyze scientific data, read to investigate a question, or use math and problem-solving in the field.
Through field investigations, community partnerships, project-based learning, museums, science experiences, outdoor studies, and hands-on units, students have opportunities to use what they know in meaningful ways.
Learning becomes deeper when students can use it, test it, question it, and connect it to the world around them.
What Does an Elementary Day Look Like?
A Recess Elementary day might include:
- Small-group reading, writing, or math
- Independent academic work
- Science investigations
- Field studies and data collection
- Engineering and design challenges
- Nature journaling
- Research projects
- Art, music, and creative work
- Student leadership
- Cooking or gardening
- Community-based learning
- Outdoor exploration
- Collaborative problem-solving
No two Recess days look exactly alike—but every day is intentionally designed around academic growth, meaningful experiences, strong relationships, and childhood.
Units We Explore
Throughout the year, students explore engaging interdisciplinary units that connect academics with investigation, creativity, and real-world application.
Here are a few examples of what we cover each year:
Coastal Field Studies
Students observe local ecosystems, collect and analyze data, study wildlife, and apply scientific thinking in the field.
Building & Engineering
Students design, build, test, revise, and solve problems using math, science, creativity, and collaboration.
Junior Inventors | Oregon State University iINVENT
In our Oregon State University iINVENT unit, students become real-world problem solvers, designers, and inventors. Using STEM and human-centered design, they identify real-world problems, design solutions for specific users, build and test prototypes, revise their ideas, and strengthen creativity, communication, persistence, and problem-solving as they apply science, technology, engineering, and math in meaningful ways.
Nature Journaling & Scientific Illustration
Students strengthen observation, writing, science, and artistic skills while documenting and investigating the natural world.
Project-Based Learning
Students investigate meaningful questions, conduct research, create products or solutions, and communicate what they have learned.
Homeschool at Recess
Homeschool students are an important part of our Recess Elementary community. Families can choose from available Monday–Thursday morning classes in Newport, giving students the opportunity to participate in small-group academics, hands-on projects, science investigations, outdoor learning, field experiences, and a collaborative learning community while maintaining the flexibility of homeschooling.
Homeschool students participate in the same engaging Recess learning experiences, with instruction adjusted to meet their individual academic level, strengths, needs, and areas for growth.
Homeschool with flexibility—without giving up community, meaningful academics, or real-world learning.
Elementary School Schedule Options
Homeschool Enrichment
Monday–Thursday | AM FIELD STUDIES| Newport
Choose 1–4 days per week for flexible homeschool learning that combines strong academics, hands-on field studies, outdoor exploration, and community.
Hybrid Elementary
Monday–Thursday | In-Person + Online Learning | Newport + Online
Students join us for morning academics and experiential learning in Newport, then continue with personalized academic work through Google Classroom and selected learning platforms in the afternoon.
Elementary + Academic Enrichment
Monday–Thursday | 8:55 AM – 2:30 PM |Newport + Waldport
Students begin with academics and experiential field studies in Newport, then continue their day in Waldport with individualized academics, projects, enrichment, and creative learning.
Full-Time Private Elementary + Extended Care
Monday–Friday | 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Waldport + Newport
Our most comprehensive option combines private elementary education, personalized academics, hands-on learning, outdoor experiences, and before- and after-school care in one full-day program. Transportation to and from Newport Field Studies provided.
View Tuition & Enrollment Process →
Is Recess Elementary Right for Your Child?
Recess may be a great fit for students who:
- Benefit from small-group instruction
- Are ready for meaningful academic challenge
- Learn best through hands-on experiences
- Thrive with movement and time outdoors
- Enjoy asking questions and exploring ideas deeply
- Are curious, creative, or passionate about particular subjects
- Benefit from personalized pacing
- Enjoy building, experimenting, researching, and creating
- Thrive when teachers truly know them as learners
- Want strong academics without giving up a joyful childhood
Ready to Learn More About Recess Elementary?
Schedule a Zoom to ask questions, learn about current openings, and see whether Recess Outdoor Adventure School could be the right fit for your child.
Explore our programs and find the Recess experience that fits your family.
Ready to take the next step?
We’d love to get to know your family and help you find the right Recess program for your child.
RECESS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SCHOOL 