True learning happens when it’s driven by curiosity. Curiosity leads to interests, and when children are allowed to follow their interests, they naturally pull knowledge in, making learning an active and enjoyable process. When children are bored, rushed, stressed, or feeling unsupported, very little learning occurs, and even less lasts.

At Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse, we’re not just focused on academic achievement. We’re here to foster a deep love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Our minimalist, intentional approach ensures that children learn in a calm, unhurried environment, allowing their natural curiosity to thrive.

“The greatest service we can do to education today is to teach a few subjects. No one has time to do more than a very few things well before they are twenty, and when we force a child to be mediocre in a dozen subjects we destroy their standards, perhaps for life.” ~ C.S. Lewis

At Old Mill Creek, we embrace this philosophy of minimalism. Rather than overwhelming children with endless topics and rote memorization, we focus on doing fewer things, deeply and well. Our students are encouraged to explore academic subjects like math, writing, reading, art, science (and more) through longer term exploration of fewer topics. This way, children can build a strong foundation for life-long learning that translates into all of life’s endeavors.

We’re more than a hybrid homeschool model; we are also an evolution of the traditional one-room schoolhouse that defined early American education. This means we’ve chosen to embrace a learning environment that feels both nostalgic and revolutionary.

This choice reflects a growing movement in alternative education—a return to the basics of what children truly need to thrive. Small student to teacher ratios, a diverse age group (1st – 6th grade), and a collaborative learning process radically alters the school day experience.

The one-room schoolhouse structure allows children of various ages to learn together, mimicking real-world environments where diverse perspectives come together.

Older students often mentor younger ones, solidifying their own understanding while fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion. Younger students become intrinsically motivated to stretch themselves, inspired by their older peers. This multi-age learning nurtures deeper social and emotional development, building essential skills for life outside the classroom.

Sometimes we get questions about how social development happens in a non-traditional setting. We challenge this by asking: When in our adult lives are we ever grouped exclusively by age? 

The skills needed to navigate a classroom of 20+ same-age peers are rarely relevant in adulthood. A one-room schoolhouse encourages a healthier form of social interaction—one where children of all ages learn to cooperate, lead, communicate, and empathize.

The diversity of ages allows for collaborative projects, where younger children engage with the same content in their own way while older students explore it more deeply. For instance, a shared story might lead to one child learning new vocabulary and writing a summary while another expresses understanding through art or music. This creates an adaptable learning environment, one where every child’s contribution is valued.

Our year is based on a 4 day school week, for 43 weeks of the year. This is complemented by an additional 8 days of learning at home for independent study and deep, focused work on larger projects. We have one week off in the Fall, two weeks off at Christmas, two weeks off in the Spring, and four weeks (two weeks at a time) off during the summer months. 

We love the steady and sustainable rhythm we can sink into with this schedule, and research on year-round schooling suggests it supports academic achievement, particularly in reading and math. Our hybrid homeschool approach is for parents who want to intimately be part of their children’s education, but understand that it takes a village. Our students attend Old Mill Creek Monday – Wednesday from 8:30 – 3:30, and school at home with their parents on Thursdays. Many of our students also attend the Champion Homeschool Co-op on Thursdays in the Fall and Spring (they meet 18 times/year).

Beauty, art, nature, rhythm, and relationship 

Science tells us that deep learning happens when these “subjects” are an integral part of our everyday lives. Together, they build an integrated brain and body—ready to engage in meaningful learning. At Old Mill Creek, we are passionate about neurobiology and the relational sciences. This education and wisdom profoundly informs our daily rhythms and the learning environment we create for your children.

Deeply attuned, healthy relationships and rhythm in its many forms builds a foundation in which children can feel confident and secure, move their bodies, engage with nature and beauty, and learn the unique ways in which we are all artists and creators. 

When children engage in their world this way, they aren’t just learning facts – they’re learning how to love learning itself and they’re developing a regulated nervous system that will go with them into a world that needs them more than ever. 

We foster this through artful, intentional environments and guidance, helping students embody what they are learning cognitively, emotionally, and physically – so what they learn sticks. 

Calm, engaged, and connected learning is second nature here.

Individualized, experiential, and project-based 

Our goal is that each child follows the highest academic standards without losing their natural love of learning and while building a habit of curiosity. 

We understand that no education is comprehensive and that all education is selective. We can’t know everything there is to know about everything, and we simply believe that parents and children should be part of the selection process. We involve parents and children in the conversation so each child meets expectations and is challenged while pursuing their own interests.

With this in mind, we have carefully chosen Story Weavers as our base curriculum. From our perspective, it is a beautiful blend of the Charlotte Mason Method with living books and a Unit Studies approach to education, allowing us to nurture each child’s unique talents and interests through a personalized, child-centered approach. 

With our guidance and support, each child then supplements the base curriculum to fully customize their learning and embrace their passions.

Individualized means we tailor everything for this child, not “all children.” 

We play to each child’s strengths while addressing challenges. Through this deeply attuned approach to education we communicate over and over again to your child that “your interests matter and you have what it takes to learn what you need to know.” 

We do as little online learning as possible, but as much as needed.

Experiential learning is at the heart of our philosophy. Children learn by doing — hands-on, engaging activities that connect them to their world. We minimize screen time in favor of real-world interaction and discovery, like seasonally inspired projects. 

With a variety of indoor and outdoor learning environments and intentional rhythms throughout the day our students will engage not only their cognitive skills, but their physical, emotional, and relational as well – fostering an embodied approach to life and learning.

Each child works on meaningful projects that combine subjects like reading, spelling, writing, grammar, math, art, music, geography, history, and science into one cohesive experience. It’s difficult to achieve this with 20+ kids in a classroom, which is why we keep our ratios small. 

Many of our students choose their main project from a list of hundreds of 4-H projects that are research-based, hands-on, and so much fun! 4-H is also a great place to showcase their work. Projects often have a service component to them, and scholarships for higher education are available through 4-H, equipping students with skills and opportunities for their future.

At our school, learning knows no boundaries. Our students explore and engage in every corner of our magical 75 acre campus—classroom spaces (with a variety of seating and movement options, class pets, and regulation corners), a kitchen, a sport court, outdoor hammocks, nature trails, pollinator gardens, animal habitats – and many more. 

Here, the entire environment is an immersive learning experience, so kids can have the freedom to discover, create, and grow in a setting that extends far beyond traditional classroom walls.

No more than 8 to 1 in the 2025-2026 school year. We are accepting students who are in grades 1st – 6th for the 2025/2026 school year.

Monday – Wednesday 8:30am – 3:30pm

(Attending 4 days, at an additional cost is an option in some cases.)

Registration for the 2025/2026 school year will open in March, at which time our pricing structure and scholarship process will be announced.

Sign up here for more information and to receive updates on our program.

The Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse is seeking a teacher to start in mid 2025. Please read about our school and our philosophy of education on this page. If you are an experienced teacher who is eager to embrace an unhurried, minimalist approach to education and if reading about our approach inspires and resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you! 

Please send a letter of interest and resume to OldMillCreekSchoolhouse@naturallifemanship.com

Head of School and Assistant Teacher

Bettina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the CEO and Co-Founder of The Natural Lifemanship Institute and Old Mill Creek Academy and Schoolhouse. Bettina has spent over 20 years supporting children and families in navigating challenges in life, and in the classroom. Her passion for alternative education began long ago, while helping children with unique needs adapt to school settings, and eventually, adapting school settings to meet children’s needs. Her most treasured role as a mother is at the heart of her deep desire to do education differently. Opening Old Mill Creek is a dream come true, the culmination of decades of work, training, study, and implementation of relationship-focused programming for youth and adults.

Lead Teacher

Mary is a veteran teacher of over 35 years – having taught visual and performing arts in Kentucky before moving to Texas, she has her bachelors and masters in education. Mary is also a certified drumming instructor, and the Director of Rhythm and Movement for The Natural Lifemanship Institute. Mary’s love and care for supporting children is evident in her nurturing presence. She has been an integral part of launching Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse, and will be teaching through the 24-25 school year. 

The position of Lead Teacher will be available for the 25-26 school year. Interested in applying? Contact us!

Assistant Teacher

Kaye is particularly passionate about contributing to work that promotes healing and recovery for hurting populations, and for nurturing the next generation of helpers. Attention to detail and relational care comes naturally to her. Kaye is a proud mother of two sons who served in the US military—one in the Navy and one in the Air Force. 

After having worked with the Natural Lifemanship Institute for over 10 years, Kaye will be retiring in May 2025.

Assistant Teacher, Animal Assisted and Nature-Based Learning

Laura loves getting people outdoors! With degrees in both Wildlife Ecology and Biology, and as a Nature and Outdoor Experiential Educator, Laura brings learning to life through hands-on projects all over our ranch. Laura’s heart for teaching people to care for the natural world and all who share this space we call the Home Ranch makes her a vital part of our teaching team.

Administrator and Advisor

Laura has a heart for education that kindles and transforms. A teacher delights in kindling the spark of discovery that leads to a passion for learning. As a teacher, Laura found great joy and meaning watching her students come to know and discover themselves. Through encounter, experience, relationships, service and reflection, Laura witnessed her students discover their strengths and their passions, and come to know themselves in light of the gifts that each brings to their communities. Laura has taught high school, first grade, undergrads and graduate students. She has a PhD in Multicultural Special Education and she is thrilled to play a supporting role at the Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse.

If you are interested in joining the Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse team in 2025, please send a letter of interest and resume to OldMillCreekSchoolhouse@naturallifemanship.com.