On a typical morning at Foothills Forest School, the day begins outside. Parents drop their children off at the playground or meet the teacher beneath the open sky at Montvale Springs. A story helps ground the group before they head into the woods, with boots crunching along gravel and dirt paths. From there, the forest becomes the classroom.
“It’s really kind of getting back to the root of childhood and letting kids lead that experience versus everything being adult-led,” said Katie Ballard, director of Foothills Forest School.
Forest school is not a new concept. The model originated in Scandinavia in the 1950s. At its core, it focuses on play-based, outdoor learning that encourages exploration and independence.
For Ballard, the approach offers something many families in Blount County have been searching for.
Unlike traditional classrooms where the setting rarely changes, the environment at Foothills shifts daily. Seasons move in and out. Rain, snow and sunshine are part of the daily routine.
“We’re out in the weather, whether it’s pouring rain or snowing or sunny and beautiful,” Ballard said.
That ever-changing environment is intentional. While academic skills are present, many of the school’s lessons aren’t found in a textbook.
“The biggest thing that we focus on is social and emotional growth, especially in those preschool years,” Ballard said. “If you have a good foundation, those things build easier later.”
Instead of spending most of the day seated indoors, students collaborate, problem-solve and navigate challenges together. Ballard said those foundational skills create resilience that carries into later learning.
After their morning story, students walk to their designated camps for a brief meeting and snack. The day unfolds with hikes, guided activities and free exploration.
Circle time brings everyone back together with seasonal songs, poems and mindfulness exercises. Some days even include yoga or deep breathing.
Ballard describes the daily rhythm at Foothills as an “out-breath and an in-breath.” There are moments for big, open exploration and moments when teachers guide students back into focus.
“If you have too much freedom, it can be really unregulated for some students,” she said.
Balancing independence with structure requires careful risk assessment, not just physically, but socially and emotionally as well.
The school currently offers two groups: a preschool class and a homeschool group. Older students participate in longer hikes, nature journaling and more in-depth studies of plants. They also learn practical skills, such as making salves from natural materials.
Foothills Forest School opened in fall 2025. The idea grew from Ballard’s own family experience.
Before moving to Blount County, her family participated in a forest school program in Knoxville. After relocating, the commute became impractical. More importantly, Ballard realized there were no similar programs in the Blount County area despite the proximity to the Appalachian Mountains.
“We realized there wasn’t another opportunity here [for a forest school], and that’s why we decided to create our own place,” she said.
She initially expected a small beginning.
“I joked that if we could get two or three other kids and one teacher in our first year, I’d be thrilled,” Ballard said.
Instead, the program has grown beyond those expectations. In its first year, the school now serves 16 families and employs three teachers. Plans are already underway to double class offerings next year.
The response to Foothills Forest School confirms that families were looking for more education options for their kids.
Ballard believes part of the school’s mission is helping families see what is possible. With 30 acres at Montvale Springs and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she sees outdoor learning as a natural fit for the region.
“It doesn’t feel like a lot of our community even understands the options that are out there,” she said.
Foothills Forest School will offer a preview day for the spring on March 7. Reservations are required at foothillsforestschool.com/preview-days.
