Chestnut Cottage School

Opening Fall 2026

Chestnut Cottage School is a once-weekly group learning program to support homeschool families with lower and upper elementary children.We provide a rich learning environment that is rooted in the philosophy of Christian education pioneer Charlotte Mason, who emphasized honoring each child and exposing them to a “feast” of living ideas.We aim to encourage a love of learning in each student and focus our time on poetry, composer study, art, history, excellent literature, nature study, narration, and recitation.We also provide enjoyable opportunities for habit development, such as poetry teatime and community gatherings. We believe that learning things together adds to the delight.

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OPEN HOUSE
Monday, June 22, 2026
4 pm to-6 pm
2839 Broadstone, Valle Crucis

The details

When?: Fridays from 9:00 am–12:00 pmDuration?: Two 15 week semesters (exact dates TBD)Where?: A historic farmhouse and restored woodshed in Valle Crucis, NCWhat?: 3 hours of group learning led by skilled educators. We use a prepared curriculum that
supplements your existing homeschool.Who?: We serve homeschooling families in the High Country, NC, and East Tennessee with children in lower (grades 1-3) and upper (grades 4-6) elementary. This program is designed for families who want a weekly group atmosphere for growing in wonder of God’s creation, making enduring connections to a wide feast of subjects, and developing the habits and skills to be responsible for their own education.Registration and Tuition: Registration fee: $115 per student includes materials and the Chestnut Cottage curriculum guidebook. This book was thoughtfully crafted by Oak Cottage School (Bristol, TN) and allows you to follow along with what your child is learning each week.Tuition: $350/per semester.

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Our Founding Teachers

Rachel Ward lives in Valle Crucis with her husband, Bryant, and five kids. She holds a doctorate in Community Health and has experience in teaching and research in rural North Carolina and Tennessee. As a young mom, she lived as a missionary in Togo, West Africa, where she first discovered Charlotte Mason’s ideas for teaching children through the wonderful book For the Children’s Sake. She has spent the last six years homeschooling her kids and has learned and enjoyed so much in the process. She enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and any chance to be
outside.

Bethany Smith lives in Boone with her husband Brian and three kids. With education in International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, she spent several years serving refugees, and she has taught English on three continents. She's spent the last six years homeschooling her three kids, primarily using (and loving!) the Charlotte Mason approach and growing in her delight for learning alongside her children. She enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, drinking chai tea and -- more recently -- learning how to play the fiddle.

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