Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, ​a life ... and a science of relations.
- Charlotte Mason

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
In-Session Options: Mondays-Thursdays
New for Fall 2022 - 2-Day, 3-Day or 4-Day Option!

​FORMS
*British "forms" allow for a broader window of academic, social, and spiritual growth
​
Woodland Friends
Form I - ages 6-9 (roughly grades 1-3)
Form II - ages 9-12 (roughly grades 4-6)
Form III - ages 12-14 (roughly grades 7-8)
Form IV - ages 14-15 (roughly grade 9)
Form V - ages 16-18 (grades 10-12)
School of Ministry Internship (gap year; college-level certificate)
​
CURRENT HOURS
Cottage Students Full Day: 8:15 am - 3:30 pm
Enrichment Half-Day Students: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
*11:30 am for students who wish to join us for lunch and outdoor play

We have a 5 acre country-like campus with a chicken coop, gardens, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, aquariums, climbing trees, and a lovely green space that facilitates generous outdoor exploration and play. We are easily accessible (just four minutes off I-75) in South Dayton, close to many amenities.

""Let us try, however imperfectly, to make education a science of relationships - in other words, try in one subject or another to let the children work upon living ideas. In this field small efforts are honored with great rewards, and we perceive that the education we are giving exceeds all that we intended or imagined."
~ Charlotte Mason

Spring Shakespeare Season

Branches & Vine Mission

Guided by the Word, we spread the feast of a “life-giving education” (living books, living ideas, living things) through three-fold knowledge (God, man, universe) with depth of relations and habits of thought & life, to be used by the Holy Spirit to transform and renew students (Branches) in loving, serving, and abiding in Christ (True Vine).​

Branches & Vine Motto

I AM a child of God
I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me 
I OUGHT to do my duty to God and others
​I WILL choose the right

Branches & Vine Methods

At Branches & Vine, we honor the child's dignity as a whole person designed in God's image.

Our educational approach nourishes the whole person with first-hand exposure to great and noble ideas through: "living books" in every subject, timeless literature and poetry, treasured handicrafts, Shakespeare plays, inspiring art, beautiful music, biblical worldview conversations, structured maths and sciences, Latin, Greek and classical studies, generous nature exploration, piano and violin study.

We believe life-giving education possesses "depth of relations" through a three-fold framework: "knowledge of God," "knowledge of man," and "knowledge of the universe." We help students build deepening relationships with God and His Word; with people from various eras, places, and cultures; and with nature and daily outdoor life, geography, and the sciences.

"Narrating" (retelling) from living books teaches students to reflect upon, order, digest, and graciously communicate vital ideas.

Chronological history comes alive through well-written books, source documents, captivating biographies, and literature selections which illuminate the era.

Focused attention at short, varied lessons keeps students' minds fresh, leaving free time for exploration of nature, personal interests, and life skills.

English skills develop beautifully through "copywork" (transcribing a portion of quality literature), and "dictation" of familiar passages. Memorization and "recitation" are approached, not as tools for repeating facts, but to give children rich words to ponder for a lifetime.

Instead of dry worksheets, students design and develop cherished "living notebooks" including: Book of Centuries (master timeline), Commonplace Book (literary quotations), Nature Notebook (observational sketches, paintings, and notes), Copybook (Scripture, poetry, and literature selections), Scripture Notebook (Bible readings, lists, and "lessons for life") ... among other notebook keep-sakes that take shape through the years.

​Our teachers/tutors direct the course of study, but students assume personal responsibility for their own learning. We are neither teacher-driven, nor student-centered. The primary agents of learning are living books, living ideas, and living things.

​​We seize every opportunity to experience wonder and delight. It is our desire to ignite a love of learning for a lifetime.

​Along with intentional "habit formation," students appropriate true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom into a life of richness and meaningfulness, for His glory.

Would your child thrive in our whole-hearted learning community?

STUDENTS FLOURISHING THROUGH ...
A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE
GOOD HABITS OF THOUGHT & LIFE
A GENEROUS FEAST OF LIVING BOOKS, LIVING IDEAS & LIVING THINGS