Mission

Big Sur Park School is a community centered outdoor educational experience that honors the development of the whole child through child directed and inquiry inspired learning to foster relational awareness, responsibility, compassion, resourcefulness, and independence in connection with the self, other and the natural world. The organization was created by community desire to support local families.

The Big Idea

The Big Sur Park School is a child’s place of exploration and inquiry, to build awareness of self-and others, with a strong connection to the natural world. Through an emergent curriculum, a student-centered learning approach and an outdoor classroom, Big Sur Park School offers the only early childcare (under 3 years of age) along the coast, offering a progressive educational alternative to the Big Sur community to build a healthy foundation for children’s learning and development. Teachers honor each child's unique way in the world and facilitate expressive, creative, and stewardship activities while modeling clear communication to support social and emotional development for building relational skills. The BSPS has become a pillar of the local community, supporting the next generation in becoming capable and compassionate environmental stewards for our world.

“Our son has flourished at the Big Sur Park School and witnessing his growth at the Park School has been nothing less than amazing. He has learned the social skills to navigate relationships with kids both older and younger than him. He has gained the emotional awareness to handle the challenges and rewards of student-lead outdoor learning. He has learned the necessary academic skills such as counting in English and Spanish and expanding his vocabulary all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Big Sur. The outdoor learning environment has helped to cement his respect of nature and awareness of our precious surroundings. The Big Sur Park School is truly a unique learning experience for our son and we couldn't ask for a better place to help our son grow and learn.”

- James Cutler