Children need the freedom and time to play.
​Play is not a ​luxury, play is a necessity.

Madison Valley Adventure Academy is an alternative PreK-5th grade private school that serves children in a mixed age indoor/outdoor classroom. Our curriculum combines elements of Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia programs while utilizing nature-based and hands-on experiential learning to provide children with a well-rounded education.

Play Matters

Benefits of outdoor play:
  • Improves creativity and problem solving: natural materials are open-ended and easily adapted. Nature gives children a space to test out new ideas and experiences.
  • Offers opportunity for healthy risk-taking: students exposed to the outdoors have the opportunity to climb, run, jump, and more. Experiencing failure and success in this relatively safe environment helps develop physical skills and boundaries.
  • Fosters an emotional connection to nature: children who have positive experiences in nature are more likely to become stewards of its care.
  • Develops social skills: as different aspects of our personalities emerge through our engagement with the natural world, so do our relationships develop differently out of doors. Here kids socialize gradually, with more choice about how and when.

TESTIMONIALS
This summer the children of Madison Valley Adventure Academy have “adventured” under the watchful and loving eyes of two women: Melissa Reeve and Lindsey Gordon. Here’s what I witnessed: Whenever I encountered the children they were happy - excited, eager, interested. Why? The kids were being nourished by the quiet wisdom that their teachers imparted on a daily basis. Not flashy. Not vacuous. Always steady, joyful, and deeply present with each child. I saw an exchange between the children and their teachers. Each child was appreciated for their unique qualities, their unique and rare contribution to the world.

When children were corrected, the guidance was positive and affirming, instructing the child back to a path of correct behavior. The simple fact is, the children were joyful. An environment was established where teachers and children gave joy to each other through an appreciation of each individual. Through exploring and creating the children were flourishing. I have raised two daughters who are now adults and to find people who make a classroom a hallmark of happiness is rare. Madison Valley Adventure Academy was blessed to have these women, with such rich life experience and gentle temperament, to establish the Academy’s inaugural year in the valley.

—Rev. Jaime Leonard, Pastor, Trinity Episcopal Church

"I believe Melissa loved my kids as much as I do and for that, I always knew they were safe and in good hands. I honestly don't know how she made it all happen, but they always brought home amazing projects and were well fed and happy."
-Lindsay M.
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“My two girls (7 and 5) absolutely loved summer camp at MVAA! They looked forward to going everyday and were tuckered out at pickup! I loved that the themes were outdoor based, taught real life skills, and were fun! The teachers are loving and innovative. The location is safe, well supplied and organized. We love MVAA!”
-Jenna R.
“Truth be told, love grows in quiet wisdom and her bright colors
glow before our eyes.”

— Hilda, founding abbess of Whitby Abbey, 657AD

Check out our Daycare Program
​Wild Rose Family Center!

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