WONDERfield Community School - for Charlotte Mason education

Welcome, dear visitor!

We are so pleased you found your way to our neighbourly private school planted in the dynamic community of Kingsville. We delight in offering a “living education” for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8

“Thought breeds thought: children familiar with great thoughts take as naturally to thinking for themselves as the well-nourished body takes to growing; and we must bear in mind that growth, physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, is the sole end of education.”

Charlotte Mason

What We Offer

WONDERfield Community School has its foundation in the philosophies of the education reformer Charlotte Mason. Discover the place where our students grow in mind, body, heart and soul – together. Focusing on a life rich in knowledge of God, knowledge of mankind, and knowledge of the universe.
Here’s what makes us distinctive:

A Living Education

We offer a “living education,” believing that because the “child has powers of mind that fit him to deal with all knowledge proper to him, we must give him a full and generous curriculum; taking care, only, that the knowledge offered to him is vital––that is, that facts are not presented without their informing ideas.”

A Feast of Ideas

“The children must enjoy the book. The ideas it holds must each make that sudden, delightful impact upon their minds, must cause that intellectual stir, which mark the inception of an idea.”

“To introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served.”

Exploration and Discovery

Handicrafts, science, math, and physical training are introduced slowly to challenge but not frustrate the children, emphasizing the habit of best effort. Whether clay modelling, measuring for paper sloyd, setting up experiments, using manipulatives, orienteering, baking and cooking, nature painting, building a shelter with sticks, or playing outdoor games, children learn by doing.

Narration and Reflection

We encourage children to “tell back” orally, in writing, by recitation, or by illustrations, so they learn to make knowledge their own. “We owe it to children to let them dig for their knowledge, of whatever subject, for themselves out of the “fit” book… What a child digs for is his own possession.”

Cottage School Design

Our WONDERfield community is small and nurturing, with multi-age forms (class groupings) that allow for individualized learning. This structure fosters mentorship, collaboration, safety, and a sense of belonging. Older students have opportunities to guide the younger ones, creating a family-like atmosphere where everyone learns and grows together.

Small Classes

Our intentionally small class sizes ensure that each child receives the attention they deserve. A collaborative and supportive environment with the rhythm of space and freedom for deep thinking and discussion, as “self-education is the only possible education.”

Daily Outdoor Exploration

True to Charlotte Mason’s words, “never be within doors when you can rightly be without,” our students are frequently outside every day. Whether they’re journaling under a tree, studying wildlife near a pond, self-organizing a game with friends, or playing store using pinecones as currency, children experience the world as their classroom.

WONDERquests

Every Thursday afternoon, we embark on what we lovingly call WONDERquests—adventures that take learning beyond the schoolhouse. From exploring local conservation areas, to visiting farms, museums, or historic sites, these outings inspire curiosity and build community. “An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing.”

High School Success

WONDERfield’s timetable consists of many short lessons of diverse and wide-ranging subjects. Our schedule for the younger students is 9AM – 3PM, Mondays to Thursdays. Preparing the older students for success in high school, a solid foundation is built with longer lessons and a longer day beginning at 8:30AM. They are responsible to complete the curated independent studies and self-directed learning on Fridays away from the schoolhouse.

Who We Are

WONDERfield Community School was founded on the educational philosophies of Charlotte Mason. The belief that children are born persons, fearfully and wonderfully made, mind, body, heart and soul. “By soul, I mean all that we are, including even the visible presentment of us, all our powers of thinking, knowing, loving, judging, appreciating, willing, achieving.” Each child is created in the image of God with unique gifts and potential, and “nobody knows how much is possible to any one person.”

Our name, WONDERfield, reflects our mission: to awaken our students’ desire to know and experience the wonder of the wide-open fields of history, science, art and music, literature, Bible, geography, mathematics, languages, and the literal fields of flora and fauna waiting to be explored. “When we think for a moment, how we must admire the goodness of God in placing us in a world so exceedingly full of Beauty.”

*all quotes are from Charlotte Mason’s six volumes of pedagogy

We’d love to welcome you to WONDERfield!

Come visit us at our neighbourhood private school in Kingsville. Explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and experience the atmosphere of a “living education”.

Testimonials

WONDERfield is a school unlike any other. It’s a place where our son can learn, play and have grand adventures. WONDERfield is not institutional, it provides a unique holistic educational experience in an environment that supports the individual needs of each child. Fellowship, laughter, warmth, rich literature, connection to nature, engagement, and respect are just a few of the key qualities WONDERfield cultivates day to day. Our son is thriving at WONDERfield, he has developed a very diverse vocabulary, and a strong sense of self. He is always happy to go to school. We sent our oldest kids to the “traditional” elementary school system but were disappointed with the results. We know of children who’ve graduated from WONDERfield and excel in secondary school. We are so grateful to the staff for their nurturing leadership, compassionate guidance, and their true love and dedication to the betterment of all the students at the school.

We’re so happy we chose WONDERfield for our boys! It’s such a warm and nurturing place where they’re encouraged to explore, ask questions, and grow with curiosity and wonder. We love how much time they spend outdoors, embracing nature as part of their learning. The one-on-one attention helps them discover their strengths and build confidence, all in a cozy, supportive environment that feels like home.

We joined WONDERfield just over a year ago after homeschooling for six years. I wanted my girls to be part of something that emphasized a variety of activities that boosted physical and mental health and provided a personal educational experience. My girls wake up every morning excited to go to school in a safe fun learning environment.

We are so grateful for the experience our daughters have had at this wonderful school. One of the things we love most is the emphasis on outdoor learning, where they spend plenty of time connecting with nature and developing a sense of curiosity and wonder. The school’s small size fosters close-knit relationships, and the intermixing of grades creates a collaborative, supportive environment where students of all ages work together. We truly appreciate the simplicity of their approach, with fewer distractions and a focus on the essentials, allowing our children’s individual needs and strengths to be nurtured in a meaningful way, helping them grow in mind, body, and spirit.

I’m so grateful to have found WONDERfield School for my children (grade 3 & 7). They love it and enjoy all the exciting activities. WONDERfield School is a wonderful school with wonderful caring teachers.