At EARTH School, student life is vibrant, purposeful, and rooted in real-world engagement. Our days are filled with hands-on learning, community connections, and opportunities for growth both in and beyond the classroom. This page offers a glimpse into what it means to be a student at EARTH: the rhythms of the year, the flow of a typical day, and the voices and visions that shape our community.
Annual School Calendar
Seasons of learning, reflection, and celebration.
Our school year is thoughtfully designed to support deep, project-based learning while honoring the natural cycles of work and rest. From fieldwork and symposiums to seasonal breaks and community gatherings, each part of the year reflects our commitment to balance, purpose, and connection.
A Day in the Life
Where structure meets flexibility and purpose.
A typical day at EARTH School is anything but ordinary. Our schedule supports focused academic time, independent work, collaborative projects, movement, and mindfulness. Students transition between small-group instruction, EcoSTEAM labs, community time, and self-directed exploration.
Explore what a day at EARTH might look like,from morning meetings to afternoon fieldwork.
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Portrait of a Graduate
The qualities we nurture. The leaders we grow.
What does success look like for an EARTH School graduate? Our Portrait of a Graduate outlines the mindsets, skills, and values we aim to cultivate in every student. It serves as both a vision and a compass—guiding curriculum design, student self-reflection, and community collaboration.
Learn more about how our graduates are prepared to thrive as changemakers in an evolving world.
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Student Voices
Learning from the source.
Our students are thoughtful, creative, and passionate, and they have a lot to say about their experiences. In this section, you’ll hear directly from them: reflections on projects, thoughts on the school culture, and stories about growth, challenge, and discovery.
Their voices are at the heart of our school.
[Insert student quotes, video clips, or written testimonials here] (coming soon)
Off Campus: Community
Learning doesn't stop at the school gates.
At EARTH School, our neighborhood is an extension of the classroom. Located in a vibrant part of Columbus, we’re surrounded by organizations, green spaces, and community hubs that provide rich opportunities for connection, service, and learning.
Students regularly walk to nearby sites for volunteer work, field studies, and community engagement, including:
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YWCA Family Center, where students help support families experiencing housing insecurity
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Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden, where students learn about food justice and help maintain an urban farm
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Bretnell Community Center and the Shepard Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, where students attend workshops, volunteer, and connect with neighbors
Just down the road, students can also explore enrichment opportunities at Ohio Dominican University, including lectures, events, and early college learning experiences.
Being close to downtown Columbus means easy access—by bike, car, or COTA bus—to museums, environmental organizations, public forums, and cultural events that expand learning beyond the classroom.
Off Campus: Extracurricular
Pursue passions. Build skills. Discover purpose.
Student life at EARTH extends into the broader community through extracurricular programs designed to promote health, confidence, leadership, and exploration.
Students are eligible to participate in athletics through their home school district, while also engaging in a variety of off-campus programs, including:
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Self-defense classes with Buckeye Self Defense
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The Eco Teen Summit hosted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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Guest speaker events, arts workshops, and field excursions around Columbus
Whether volunteering, attending a lecture, or hiking through a local park, these experiences deepen our students' connections to the world around them and empower them to make a meaningful impact within it.
