Now Enrolling for the 2026–2027 School Year
Pathfinders is our early elementary program for ages 6 to 8. It is a structured, small-group micro school where children build independence, confidence, and strong academic skills in a warm, family-style setting.
Learning happens both indoors and outdoors. Children spend much of their time in the classroom working on reading, writing, and math, with regular time outside for movement, nature exploration, and hands-on projects. We are located on a working farm animal rescue and sanctuary, but we are not a free-range wild school. The farm and animals support learning; they are not the focus of every lesson.
Pathfinders is designed to work alongside Tennessee homeschool requirements while giving families the structure, community, and guidance many children need in the early grades.
Schedule and Options
For the Winter and Spring 2026 term, Pathfinders meets:
- Days: Tuesday through Thursday
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
- Location: Hidden Bee Learning at Hidden Bee Farm, 753 Carters Creek Pike, Columbia, TN
Families may choose:
- 1 day per week, if space allows
- 2 days per week
- 3 days per week for the fullest experience
We strongly recommend at least two consistent days each week so children can follow projects, build friendships, and stay connected to their learning. When space is limited, priority is given to children enrolling for two or more days.
For tuition details and day combinations, please see our Tuition and Enrollment page.
What Pathfinders Learn
Pathfinders blends clear structure with room for creativity and exploration. Core learning areas include:
Language and literacy
Reading fluency and comprehension, narration, storytelling, journaling, copywork, and vocabulary development.
Mathematics
Hands-on math using games, manipulatives, number talks, and real-world problem-solving.
Science and nature study
Observation, experiments, simple recording, and project-based science tied to nature, weather, earth science, and the farm environment.
Social studies and community
Basic history and geography through stories, projects, and discussions that connect children to their community and the wider world.
Creative arts
Art, music, and design projects connected to seasonal themes and literature. Children create, build, and express ideas in multiple ways.
Character and community skills
Teamwork, listening, taking turns, following directions, managing frustration, and taking responsibility for materials and shared spaces.
Curriculum and Approach
Pathfinders uses a combination of homeschool-friendly curricula and teacher-created lessons:
- Moving Beyond the Page for literature-based units that connect reading, writing, science, and social studies
- Blossom and Root for nature-inspired language arts and science
- Selected math resources and games to strengthen number sense and problem-solving
- Thematic and project-based activities to bring concepts to life
We group children by developmental readiness, not just age. Before a child moves from Little Explorers into Pathfinders, we look at readiness in areas such as early literacy, attention, independence, and social skills and talk with families about the best placement. Some children are ready to move up around age 5, while others benefit from an additional year in Little Explorers.
All core curriculum materials used in class are provided by Hidden Bee Learning. Families do not need to purchase separate Pathfinders curriculum to participate.
How Pathfinders Supports Homeschool Families
Pathfinders works well for families who:
- Homeschool and want a small, structured group class for core subjects and projects
- Need accountability, routine, and a place where their child can practice classroom skills
- Want a part-time, early elementary option rather than a full-day school
Parents remain the primary educators and are responsible for homeschool registration and oversight. Hidden Bee Learning provides:
- Small-group instruction and guided practice in key subjects
- Hands-on projects, labs, and activities that can be hard to do at home
- Feedback on how children are doing socially and academically in a small group
For more information on Tennessee homeschool requirements, please see our Resources & FAQ page.
Indoor and Outdoor Learning
Pathfinders combines classroom learning with regular outdoor time:
- Indoors, children work in small groups and individually on reading, writing, math, and projects.
- Outdoors, they have time for movement, nature walks, observation, and occasional farm-connected activities.
Children are always supervised, indoors and outdoors. Outdoor learning takes place within clear boundaries and expectations, not as unsupervised free-range time.
Safety, Class Size, and Staffing
Hidden Bee Farm is a rescue and sanctuary, and many of our animals are special needs or have been abused in the past. Safety and respect are non-negotiable.
For Pathfinders:
- Morning classes share a large classroom divided into age-appropriate areas for Little Explorers and Pathfinders.
- Combined enrollment for these groups is kept at about 18–20 children with 3 adults in the room, which works out to roughly 1 adult for every 6–7 children.
- Children are always supervised indoors and outdoors.
- Animal time happens only in planned, small-group visits with clear safety rules. Children are never allowed in barns or animal pens without staff present.
- All staff are background checked, and there is always at least one CPR and First Aid trained adult on site.
Clear routines and boundaries help children feel secure, which makes it easier for them to take on more independence and responsibility as they grow.
Tuition and Enrollment
Tuition, payment schedules, registration fees, and withdrawal policies are the same across all of our programs and are outlined on our Tuition and Enrollment page.
On that page you will find:
- Weekly tuition for one, two, or three days per week
- Information about our school-year model and payment timing
- Details on registration fees and early bird options, when available
- Our current withdrawal and mid-year enrollment policies
Families may enroll for one day per week when space allows, but we prioritize and recommend at least two days per week for the best Pathfinders experience.
When you are ready, you can:
Book a tour to see the classroom and farm
Ask questions about fit and readiness for Pathfinders vs. Little Explorers
Complete your child’s Pathfinders enrollment through the forms linked on the Tuition and Enrollment and Programs pages