Acorn School is dedicated to offering Waldorf and Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool enrichment tailored for families in the East Valley Phoenix area, including Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler. Our program fosters a strong sense of community and a curriculum deeply connected to nature.
Our holistic homeschool enrichment program emphasizes the importance of nature, art, literature, and family, creating a rich environment for learning and provides homeschool families space and time to build deep community and friendships.
At Acorn School, we have a family-focused approach to homeschooling. We believe that parents play the most crucial role in their children's education, which is why we require parents to attend and supervise their children during all classes. We understand that families come in all shapes and sizes, so we welcome younger siblings and babies to join us.
Acorn School has developed a unique seasonal curriculum inspired by the rhythms of nature, as well as the philosophies of Waldorf and Charlotte Mason. Our classes are led by our wonderfully talented teachers, who possess a genuine love for children and a passion for nurturing their "creativity acorn." These dedicated educators facilitate engaging lessons that allow homeschooling parents to actively observe and witness their children interacting with peers and teachers. The topics covered in our classes are often centered around the current season, providing a relevant and immersive learning experience.
In addition to our regular classes, we organize monthly seasonally themed festivals and group outings that foster a sense of community among our families. These events are designed to create collective experiences that go beyond individual classes, promoting unity and celebration within the entire Acorn School community.
We are proud to be an ESA Direct Pay Vendor, enabling homeschooling families to benefit from our program while receiving educational funding through their Empowerment Scholarship Account.
Our mission is to foster a love of learning and cultivate a strong sense of community among students, parents, and teachers by providing a holistic education that honors each child's unique developmental stages.
We are dedicated to fostering a love of learning and cultivating a strong sense of community among our students, parents, and teachers. Our aim is to provide a holistic education that honors the unique developmental stages of each child, encouraging imaginative play, artistic expression, and hands-on learning. We value the integration of arts, nature, and practical skills into our curriculum, fostering well-rounded individuals with a deep appreciation for creativity and the natural world.
We believe in creating an environment where open dialogue, critical thinking, and respectful discussions are encouraged. By immersing children in nature, we aim to instill in them a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for their environment.
Moreover, it is our goal to nurture a warm and welcoming community, foster lasting relationships, strong connections and help facilitate the children in our program to become lifelong learners, compassionate individuals and active contributors to society.
"Acorn School has been a dream of mine ever since my first child, Charlie, was born. Growing up, I attended a Waldorf school, and I loved every moment of it.
When Charlie came into my life, I knew I wanted to homeschool him. Still, I felt a little sad thinking about how he might miss out on the Waldorf experiences that had such a big impact on my childhood.
I looked into the local public Waldorf school, which seemed great, but the thought of having my child away from me for eight hours a day, five days a week, with someone else as their main teacher just didn’t sit right with me. I thought, "There has to be another way!"
So, I started searching for "Waldorf-inspired co-ops" or homeschooling groups for families like ours, but unfortunately, I didn’t find anything that fit.
As I continued my research, I discovered that I really connected with the unschooling philosophy and Waldorf's dedication to protecting early childhood by putting play and imagination at the forefront.
This aligned perfectly with how I wanted to raise and educate my kids. Determined to create the experience I envisioned, I decided to take matters into my own hands. But with three young children, I knew I couldn't do it all by myself.
In my search for a solution, I scoured the internet for a Waldorf teacher who could join me on this journey, but I came up empty. Then, I thought of Emilirose!
I had known her for a while and always admired her spirit, but I had no idea she was interested in homeschooling and Waldorf education. Then, a friend mentioned that Emilirose wanted to homeschool her future kids and was curious about Waldorf.
Without thinking twice, I reached out to her on FaceTime and pitched the idea of starting this program. To my delight, she instantly agreed. We met for coffee, and from there, everything just fell into place." -Star Johnson, Co-Founder of Acorn School
Aloha, my name is Starlee Johnson, but you can call me Star! I live in Chandler, Arizona with my husband Kyle and 3 children, Charlie, Scarlett & Goldie. We have a cat, dog and 6 backyard chickens.
I love being a mother, and I’m passionate about homebirth, homeschooling, and making my home a cozy joyful place to be. I am currently in the process of writing, illustrating and self-publishing my first children’s book with a dear friend.
I grew up all around the country, but spent 7 of my childhood years in Michigan where I attended a Waldorf school. I loved Waldorf and have very fond memories of that time in my life.
This co-op came to be because I have always said if I wasn’t homeschooling I would put my children in a Waldorf school, and in recent years I have wanted the best of both worlds. So I proposed this co-op to my friend Emilirose and she was an immediate yes.
I am loving my current stage of “momming” and so excited to enrich my own children’s education with a Waldorf inspired co-op. I look forward to creating more community for my family.
Hey! My name is Emilirose Nofi. I live in Gilbert with my husband Matt and our Aussie-doodle named Bindi.
I grew up in Tucson before relocating to Phoenix to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at Grand Canyon University.
Following my education, I was employed by a local school district, where I imparted knowledge to students in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. Each student I've had the privilege to work with holds a special place in my heart. Building strong relationships and aiding my students in thriving throughout their educational journeys has been immensely fulfilling.
Despite my love for teaching, I found the current environment of public education lacking in its ability to support myself as an educator and in turn I felt my students were not getting my best which drove me to my decision of exiting public education. When my friend Star presented the idea of a co-op, I eagerly embraced it as the beginning of a new chapter.
This co-op opportunity resonated with me for two reasons:
In this new chapter, I'm excited to channel my passion for education and creativity into endeavors that enrich the lives of children and families while embracing the journey ahead with open arms.
