"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

We are dreamers with pioneering hearts, passionate about creating a transformative educational experience based on the “whole child approach” and connecting the community with the wonders of the natural world, while building collaborative partnerships to fulfill our mission.

We believe all families deserve the freedom to educate their children in ways that best meet their own needs, and together, we have built an alternative learning model that approaches education in a new and different way. Our outdoor classrooms nestled between the forest and the sea, allow for the perfect blend of academic learning, and nature exploration all the while engaging the head, heart and hands.

Through the years of building the foundation of this community, we have realized many of our dreams…

We have awarded yearly scholarships so our community could grow and our programming could be more accessible.
We have taken our program 100% outside in local parks so our children can be fully immersed in the natural world every day.
We have hired and trained teachers as partners in our Waldorf-inspired education
We have hosted community-wide parent enrichment events to support the adult educational journey.
And we have grown…well beyond our wildest dreams!

We are proud of these achievements and eternally grateful to our community for supporting our vision.

Yet, as dreamers, we will always be dreaming up new and creative ways to engage, connect and inspire. We dream of…

Land and a home that is truly our own
Increased scholarship funds for an even broader reach
Additional programming to serve our community, adults and children alike
Continuing opportunities for training, education and growth for our teachers
And the support of of our community, not only our local folks, but all of those amazing, like-minded individuals, organizations and business we have ”met” along the way in this wide open space.

In this season of gratitude and giving, it is with full hearts that we thank you for your ongoing support and share the hope that we can count on your continued support now and in the future.

On this Giving Tuesday (or any Tuesday, really), any donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully accepted.

We will keep dreaming, you can count on that!

Spring River School is an initiative of Jacksonville Educational Community (JEC), a pioneering non-profit organization founded by parents and local educators who are driven by a common desire to create a transformative educational experience focused on the whole-child approach.

This impulse led to the establishment of Florida's first Waldorf-inspired K-8 all-outdoor education program.

Students at Spring River are welcomed to a place of respect and encouragement, where they learn to be self-sufficient and are provided the space to flourish. The curriculum, pedagogy, and teaching methods are designed to nurture and realize each child's unique potential.

In the fall of 2020, we took our homeschool classes on outdoor field trips for the school year and found that outdoor education was the perfect fit for our curriculum and families. Our classes, which for several years were indoors in churches and community centers, have now been moved to local parks steps from the ocean in the Beaches Area. With the support of our community, we are working toward building a campus that will be home to outdoor pavilions and a biodynamic garden. Outside of Spring River, parents may homeschool their children in any manner of their choosing. Our parents and teachers are available to provide inspiration and ideas that blend well with our supplemental program.

A little bit, about JEC:

WHO WE ARE

We are a pioneering community of business owners, caregivers, teachers, and students seeking ways to connect with the wonders of the natural world and each other.

WHAT WE DO

Our purpose is to engage the Northeast Florida community in initiatives, programming, and community outreach that embodies the full range of Holistic and Anthroposophical-inspired ideals such as:

Outdoor Education

Homeschool Enrichment

Waldorf Education

Community Green Space

Biodynamic Gardening

Anthroposophical Studies

The Healing Arts

Teacher Training and Support

WHY WE BELIEVE THIS IS IMPORTANT

Everyone needs and deserves access to nature and human connection.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

I. We exist to support the developing human being on their journey to discover purpose and meaning.

II. We accomplish this support through education, spiritual practice, and service.

III. We seek to awaken capacities of judgment, creativity, perception, empathy, joy, and wonder.

IV. We embody reverence for the uniqueness of each individual and respect for their right to freedom.

V. We believe nature offers the essential needs of reflection, health, and connection.

Spring River School Annual Giving

Give The Gift Of Outdoor Education

Team Members