At this point in the school year, I always find myself reflecting on how much my kids have grown—both academically and personally. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to pause and take stock of all the little moments that show real progress. Maybe...
I have learned many valuable lessons in my time as both a home educator and school administrator, many of which I gleaned from living on a regenerative agriculture farm. In 2014, my family and I moved to a farm nestled in the Sierra Nevada Foothills to attempt to grow...
As we step into March, the world around us begins to shift—winter loosens its grip, and signs of spring peek through in fresh blooms and longer days. Just like the changing seasons, homeschooling follows its own rhythms, and this time of year brings a wonderful...
One of the best elements of homeschooling is the freedom to lean into curiosity—to ask questions, explore possibilities, and embrace hands-on learning in a way that sparks genuine wonder. Science isn’t just a subject; it’s all around us, woven into every season, every...
One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is the flexibility to shape our children’s education in a way that works best for our families. But with that freedom comes the ongoing process of reflecting, adjusting, and planning ahead. At this point in the year,...
Hello Cottonwood Families, My name is Lizette Sweiven, and I am the Associate Director of Instruction for High School here at Cottonwood. At the beginning of my journey as an educator, I worked at Adventure Education. I led all age groups in hikes, ropes courses, and...
