Since opening in 2009, ThistleWaithe’s South Salem location has offered an unparalleled campus whose 6.5 acres of natural landscape provide ubiquitous learning opportunities for our students.
Outdoor exploration, nature study, gardening, and composting help sow the seeds of environmental stewardship in the children. Learning takes place inside and outside year-round, enabling the child to connect with the glory of the natural world.
Whether they’re sitting underneath the learning tree observing what they see or playing in our beautiful wooden yurt, our multisensory curriculum challenges children while they’re having fun.
Programs
![Toddlers Toddler playing with toy cooking implements in a classroom](https://thistlewaithe.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/toddler_320x384-square-d1bc7edcc27f0309faccb4bc1cfe1e57-8las357xeptv.jpg)
Toddlers
This program plants the seeds for vibrant growth for our youngest learners, ages 18 to 36 months.
![Sand1 Preschool children playing with sand and a funnel in a Montessori classroom](https://thistlewaithe.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Sand1-square-4f72c6ed426ba165d51c18fcbe910b31-vcletfsk2wqn.jpg)
Primary
Our mixed-ages program sparks and fuels the imaginations of children 3-6 years old.
![kinder_320x430 Young kindergarten student coloring at her desk](https://thistlewaithe.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/kinder_320x430-square-3467425363822bc08609112fce6da16b-ywv6e0rh5flk.jpg)
Kindergarten
This full-day program has a customized curriculum based on a child’s learning style and developmental needs.