Villa Academy Seattle: We Take Learning Beyond the Desk

g n i n r a e L e k a T We

d n o Bey k s e D the

Students on the campus trail to our Lake Washington waterfront.

Villa Academy students are fortunate to have a campus unlike any other school in Seattle. We call it our 31-acre learning lab for the amazing outdoor education opportunities it offers.

Learning Beyond the Desk: 31 Acres • Organic Garden • Greenhouse • Lake Washington Wa

Why Learn Outdoors?

Educational Benefits • S tandards taught in a meaningful and retainable way • A uthentic and engaging project-based learning • E cological awareness • S eeds of stewardship •C onnections to food and health (gardens) Physical Benefits • S timulating the senses •M ovement assists learning •D ecreasing stress ognitive Benefits C • I ncreasing attention span •C reativity and problem solving (both academic and social-emotional learning)

With the Audubon Society, students conducted an in-depth study of campus bird life, including species indentification, life cycle and habitat threats. Their study concluded with school festival where they presented their learning.

Measuring and mapping some campus trees for a math project.

On Stewardship Days in the fall and spring, students, families, and faculty gather to promote the sustainabilty of our grounds, removing invasive species and planting native shrubs and trees—and having some fun in the process.

aterfront • Orchards • Wetland • State of the Art Athletic Field • Multiple Playgrounds.

Preschoolers explore our campus, learning about animals, insects, birds, and trees during “Forest School.”

Students plant and maintain our organic garden: a cycle from greenhouse to harvest to school lunch menu.

“If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom.”

John Medina, Developmental Molecular Biologist and author of “Brain Rules.”

Middle school students work with their Kindergarten Buddies to raise and release salmon spawn at our Lake Washington waterfront.

At Villa, the outdoors is an extension of our physical classrooms. Inside, along with tech and science labs, makerspaces, theater and art studio, our classrooms are spacious areas that allow for movement and the flexible groupings needed for collaborative work.

Students nuture seedlings in the Villa greenhouse.

Our Outdoor Spaces In collaborative and creative play during recess, lower school students build forts from fallen limbs of campus trees.

Our $2.2M Athletic Field, dedicated in 2018, abounds with sports and activities.

5001 NE 50th St. Seattle, WA 98105 Due for completion in 2020, the first permitted treehouse in the city of Seattle will be at Villa. Arching over a wooded slope, it will serve as an accessible learning pavilion for students of all ages.

206-524-8885

thevilla.org MCNELIS ARCHITECTS