From the High Meadows Barnyard to the Back Woods, Exploration Leads to Deep Learning

“Meadow Time (recess) was incredible. We had close to an hour of free, unstructured play. My friend Julia and I would sit on the big hill by the soccer field or go into the deep woods and explore. We’d even find the honeysuckles and eat them. We had so much freedom, and you don’t see that in schools today. High Meadows is a place that felt safe then and still does.”

Zoe’s HMS experience combined play and exploration with academic preparation and the ability to explore her interests in depth. A self-proclaimed animal lover, Zoe spent countless hours in the barnyard interacting with bunnies and ponies, learning the same guidelines as today’s High Meadows students, to have a calm voice and body when entering the barnyard.

“The classes relating to animals and the earth were amazing,” she recalled. “I loved being with the animals, and Earth Day was my favorite celebration.”

Each January, High Meadows students participate in Emphasis, a three-week period where all students study the same topic. The topic is kept secret until reveal day. During the timeframe, students use the time to research and create models, presentations, and projects. In Middle Years, Zoe completed an in-depth presentation on lacrosse.

“I studied the origins of lacrosse as a fifth grader, and I even went on to play at the College of William & Mary,” she mentioned. “We had so much autonomy as students and honed our presentation and speaking skills. We were confident and well-versed, even as children.”

Following graduation, Zoe enrolled at Roswell High School and called high school “a walk in the park” academically. High Meadows faculty and staff instilled in Zoe the tools required for academic success — study habits, time-management, attention to detail, and confidence. 

“I had confidence, and I was not afraid to speak with my teachers and advocate for myself,” she said. “That has served me well. I am willing to have 1-on-1 conversations or ask for help when I need it, and that started because of HMS.”

Zoe graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in kinesiology before tackling nursing school at the University of Virginia. She is currently working as a labor and delivery nurse and resides in Bend, Oregon.

High Meadows provided Zoe with a balance between academic preparation and being outside in nature, allowing her to find out what she loved. “If you send your child to High Meadows School, they are going to receive everything they need from a school,” she said. “HMS has quality teachers who care about students, and they meet children where they are. If a child needs more time on a topic, they help them. If they are ready for another challenge, it is given to them. The education is catered to each student, which is so uncommon, but High Meadows has the resources for children to succeed.”

Discover how High Meadows nurtures curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learners. Schedule a campus visit and explore what’s possible for your child.