ABOUT US

Our Philosophy

At Garden Grove Schoolhouse, we believe everyone is a Child of God and that each person comes to earth as a natural learner. Children learn about the world around them through play and exploration. It is our goal to give them plenty of time and space to do just that in a beautiful, fun, and safe home-like learning environment.

We are passionate about protecting and preserving the magic of childhood and planting seeds for a lifetime love of learning.

Our Calendar

Our school year calendar follows that of Alpine School District, with a few exceptions.

Because we have less students and fewer daily transitions than a traditional classroom, we are able to have more quality contact time with each student.

Our Location

Garden Grove Schoolhouse is located in the heart of historic downtown Lehi, Utah.

We've been busy building the schoolhouse and prepping the yard. We can't wait to share our space with you!

Our Teacher

Nonie Hunter is a certified teacher and has over twelve years of experience, training, and expertise in kindergarten and early elementary education. She is passionate about letting kids be kids and helping them each discover their abilities, interests, voice, and confidence.

What Makes Garden Grove Schoolhouse Special?

Individualized Instruction &
Small Class Size

Individual relationships and one-on-one attention are important to us. Children learn better when their physical needs are met and they feel safe, loved, and listened to by those around them. Our class at Garden Grove includes children of different ages and abilities playing together and learning from one another.

We know students learn in different ways and at different rates. Education isn’t—and shouldn’t be—one-size-fits-all. Instructional lessons will be tailored to each child and their learning levels, abilities, interests, and styles.

Play-Based Learning

Kids learn through play! Play promotes cognitive and language development, deepens social and emotional skills and physical awareness, and encourages creativity and a positive view of learning.

We will spend significant time each day in free play and guided play activities, inside and out. Play is an important and integral part of child development and allows children the opportunity to be in charge of themselves and make decisions regarding their mind, body, and emotions.

Outdoor and
Nature Play

Time spent outdoors is incredibly important and powerful in the growth and development of children. Nature play reduces stress, encourages physical health, enhances academic learning, allows for appropriate risk-taking, and anchors children to the real world.

We will spend several hours each week outside in our schoolyard, classroom garden, and nearby park discovering the beauty and wonder of our surroundings in all seasons.

Faith-Based Learning

At Garden Grove Schoolhouse, we believe that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children, especially when it comes to religious education. Garden Grove is not a religious-affiliated school program, however, we feel the need to provide a Christian-based environment where children are free to share their beliefs and testimonies.

Students will be given the opportunity to take turns offering prayers at the beginning of school each day and before eating lunch. We will have the freedom to talk about God’s creations, the life and miracles of Jesus Christ, and the stories of biblical heroes. We will frequently discuss how we can try to be better each day, serve others, and be a light in our families and communities.

Values such as kindness, respect, responsibility, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, love, and friendship will be taught and encouraged daily.

No Standardized Tests or Report Cards

We will use various assessments to gauge learning and form instruction, but won’t spend time cramming for assessments. Students will help create goals for themselves and their individual learning outcomes and will track their own progress.

Grades and report cards will not be given, but progress will be celebrated and communicated to parents regularly.

Students will learn that failure is normal and that success comes when we repeatedly try again, learning from our mistakes and helping others to do the same. We will foster an environment of risk-taking and problem solving, encouraging students to try things in different ways in order to find solutions.

No Homework

Homework is often a sore spot for kids and parents and frequently causes frustration and stress for the whole family. We believe time at home spent with family is limited and sacred, and as such, we will not be sending home any daily or weekly homework. Fun family projects may be assigned on occasion.

We ask families to read with their children daily and talk about the learning that occurs at school. Families are encouraged to spend after-school hours exploring other interests, playing, serving others, and eating dinner together to deepen family bonds.