When presented with the choice to sit at a desk all day to do written work, or to go outside and gather information in nature, what would you choose? We’d choose to get outside! Learning about any topic in the great outdoors is so exciting. In fact, more and more leading schools are making outdoor learning a priority.

Academics are beginning to realize what children intuitively knew all along – learning outside can be so much better. The reality is, when students are able to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, they are able to better retain the information.

An American Institutes for Research (AIR) study on the effects of outdoor education programs for children proved this. As it turns out, students improved in social studies, language arts, math and science. Not surprisingly, science scores went up the most – by 26%!

Often outdoor learning opportunities serve as a means to increase scientific content knowledge and develop environmentally conscious students. This makes a great deal of sense. Can you imagine learning about swimming but never going near water? It wouldn’t develop you into a fantastic swimmer, that’s for sure!

At St. John’s Academy, we want our students to be well-rounded, compassionate people that care about the environment around them. By combining our traditional education with outdoor education, we get to see students come alive as they experience the world around them. This just so happens to also improve their academic performance, which we’re thrilled about as well.