our Guiding Principles
Nature guides us + Justice awakens us + Montessori roots us + Joy connects us
Nature Guides Us
Nature determines the seasonal rhythms of our learning at The Perigee Collective. We gain depth and appreciation for life and the life sciences when we slow down, expand our listening, connect to place and when we allow nature to guide us. Regular wildlife visitors spontaneously emerge as guests of our natural classroom and help to guide our field studies and curriculum. The children deepen their connection with nature while routinely observing mule deer, wild turkeys, egrets, Chinook salmon, gopher snakes, Great blue herons, California Quails, beavers, Chorus frogs, Mallard ducks, river otters, hawks, geese, Western Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and many, many more fascinating critters and creatures. With our hands in the earth, we calm our bodies, recall our ancestors, embrace childhood wonder, and remember our humanity.
Justice Awakens Us
In our collective Black Lives Matter.
Our mission is to become more engaged citizens who understand the interconnection between everything within our community and world. We recognize the interrelationship between larger systems of our society. We are social justice advocates, environmental stewards, anti-racist daily practitioners and non-violent communicators.
Equity education means that we help all children develop the knowledge and skills they need to be engaged and become productive members of society. We believe that giving all children an equitable start leads to better economic and social outcomes for individuals, for regions, and for our world community. We proactively work to deconstruct the social patterns that are contributing to environmental and human suffering. We actively engage in projects that advance what is fair, just and right. We will change the world!
Montessori Roots Us
The backbone of our educational philosophy is deeply rooted in Dr. Maria Montessori’s developmental approach to nurturing the whole child to become an engaged learner and thinker for life.
Our academically challenging curriculum, our learning materials, our open-air classrooms and our thoughtful community are all designed to meet the needs of the whole child.
We present purposeful work for the head and the hand, as well as engaging in real life as an active citizen in a dynamic, complex world.
Joy Connects Us
Children are curious and active participants in their own learning. They often choose what their work is, where to do it, when to do it and with whom to do it. These choices develop independence, build confidence and create joyful learning experiences.
Nothing without joy
Nature guides us + Justice awakens us + Montessori roots us + Joy connects us