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Enrollment is now open!

To fully understand what makes our program so special, reach out to our director Alysa Meeks, schedule a tour or join our waitlist.

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Nest Nature School

Strong Bodies, Inquisitive Minds & Wild Hearts

At The Nest, education is about nurturing a lifelong connection to nature.

The Nest Nature School is a premier nature-based preschool rooted in play, exploration, and discovery. Designed for children ages 3–5, our program integrates developmental learning with real-world interaction with the natural world while nurturing confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Video Tour | A Day at The Nest | FAQ | kindergarten | Staff | calendar | testimonial | gallery | Careers

Address

The Nest Nature School:
33 Herff Road, Boerne, TX 78006 ▸

CONTACT

Director, Alysa Meeks:‍ ‍(830) 357-7711 ▸
Email: nestschool@cibolo.org ▸

Our Philosophy

At The Nest, we believe:

  • Strong Bodies: Children develop physical confidence through active outdoor play.

  • Inquisitive Minds: Learning emerges naturally through exploration, questioning, and discovery.

  • Wild Hearts: Early connection to nature builds empathy, wonder, and stewardship.

Curriculum & Experience

Our program blends structured developmental goals with unstructured play in natural spaces:

  • Research-based, nature-centered curriculum that exceeds early learning standards.

  • Hands-on, outdoors learning that supports academic, social-emotional, and physical development.

  • Small class sizes and experienced educators focused on the whole-child experience.

  • Seamless indoor and outdoor classrooms that foster curiosity, confidence, and independence.

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Nature-Based Learning

Research shows that learning in natural settings:

  • Strengthens cognitive and social development

  • Improves attention and creativity

  • Fosters physical health and resilience

  • Cultivates environmental stewardship from an early age

At The Nest, children don’t just learn about the world—they experience it!

Take a Tour with Ms. Alysa

See real learning in action and how we inspire confidence, curiosity, and a deep connection with nature in every child.

Your Questions, Answered

  • A Haven for Exploration and Learning

    Nestled within the historic Herff Farm, The Nest Nature School is a magical place where children connect deeply with the natural world. Every morning, as children pass through the front gate, their excitement is palpable—they run eagerly to their classroom Cottages, ready to greet their teachers and dive into a day of discovery. With approximately 70% of their day spent outdoors, children at The Nest learn and play in harmony with nature, under the canopy of majestic oaks and across the beautifully designed outdoor spaces.

    Each class is anchored in its own “Cottage,” thoughtfully designed to include indoor spaces, screened porches, and dedicated outdoor areas. These Cottages open directly onto the nature-inspired playgrounds, fostering a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor learning. To enhance physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development, the campus features five distinct “mini-parks”—a central play area and four additional spaces located between the classroom Cottages. These areas are the result of a collaboration with Adam Bienenstock of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, a world-renowned designer of natural play environments. Logs, tree stumps, boulders, and wooden beams create imaginative play opportunities, while sand and mud play areas, trails, and wildlife habitats encourage exploration and sensory engagement.

    The Nest campus is fully integrated into the broader 60-acre natural setting of The Cibolo Center for Conservation. Daily adventures take children beyond their Cottages to explore the Cibolo Creek waterfront, the Herff Farm Teaching Garden, and the Monarch Meadow, turning the outdoors into an expansive and dynamic classroom. In this setting, Mother Nature herself becomes an inspiring teacher, fostering curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in every child.

    At The Nest, education is about more than academics—it’s about nurturing a lifelong connection to nature. Through a blend of expertly designed spaces and the rich ecological diversity of The Cibolo, children develop an abiding respect for the natural world and the confidence to explore it. Whether climbing a boulder, observing aquatic life in the creek, or learning under the shade of an oak tree, each day is an unforgettable opportunity for growth and discovery.

  • To enroll your child, follow our Enrollment Process outlined above. Our school calendar runs from August through May, and enrollment for the fall begins in February. Families on the Wait List will be contacted in March with next steps and available spots. If openings arise during the school year, we will reach out to families on the Wait List to fill those spots.

  • To join the wait list, complete the steps outlined in our Enrollment Process above. Once the Wait List form is submitted and the associated fee is paid, your child’s spot on the list is confirmed.

  • The Nest accepts children aged 3 to 5 for our mixed-age classrooms. Your child must be 3 years old by the start of the school year (early August) and fully potty-trained. If your child’s birthday falls later in the fall semester, please contact us to discuss potential enrollment options.

    Additionally, children should be confident in basic self-care skills, such as using the restroom independently and dressing themselves, as much of the school day takes place outdoors. These skills ensure your child’s safety, comfort, and ability to fully engage in our outdoor learning environment.

  • Schedule Options:
    Flexible enrollment including 2-day, 3-day, and full-week options

    School Year Calendar:
    Our school year follows a traditional academic calendar, running from August through May and closely aligned with the Boerne ISD academic calendar. We observe Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks as scheduled by Boerne ISD. Summer programming is available from June through August.

  • The core school day runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
    Summer programming hours are 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

  • The school day runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Students arrive between 7:50 AM and 8:00 AM, beginning their day outdoors exploring diverse learning areas. After Circle Time, which sets the plan for the day, students enjoy a nutritious morning snack before heading out for hikes, creek exploration, garden visits, or other outdoor activities. 

    Lunch is enjoyed on the covered classroom porches, followed by time spent in classroom centers, art spaces, or 1:1 sessions with teachers to support individualized learning plans. The day ends with more outdoor exploration in one of our nature-inspired play areas.

  • Families receive weekly e-newsletters from their classroom teachers, including updates on the curriculum, photos, and reminders. Administrative updates are sent as needed. Parents are also invited to attend scheduled information sessions on child development topics and participate in social gatherings during the school year.

    Teachers hold parent-teacher conferences each semester to discuss student progress and goals. Additional meetings can be scheduled as needed to ensure every child’s unique needs are met.

  • The Nest provides a nutritious morning snack. Families are responsible for packing a healthy, hearty lunch to sustain their child’s energy for a full day of active learning. Dietary needs and restrictions can be accommodated upon request.

  • We believe daily outdoor time is essential for resilience and learning. Students go outside every day, regardless of weather, and we partner with families to ensure children are dressed appropriately for seasonal conditions (e.g., raincoats, boots, warm jackets).

    In cases of extreme or unsafe weather, activities will be moved indoors as necessary to prioritize the safety, comfort, and quality of the learning experience.

  • The Nest’s curriculum is rooted in nature-based learning and guided by play-based, child-centered approaches. It is designed to foster curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. By integrating outdoor exploration with hands-on experiences, the curriculum nurtures a lifelong love of learning and a deep connection to the natural world.

  • Yes! The Taste of The Nest is a special opportunity for families with children aged 18 months to 3 years to experience the magic of our nature-based learning community! Join us for a fun and engaging morning where you and your little one can explore, play, and connect with other families while discovering the unique educational approach at The Nest.

  • The Perch

    At The Nest Nature School, fostering a sense of community is just as important as nurturing a connection to nature. That’s where The Perch, our dedicated parent-teacher group, takes flight. Named for its role as a place of support, collaboration, and perspective, The Perch serves as a gathering space for parents and teachers to work together in enriching the school experience for our children.


    The Perch provides an opportunity for parents to engage more deeply with The Nest’s mission of nature-based education. Through meetings, events, and volunteer efforts, members of The Perch collaborate with teachers and staff to plan activities, support classroom projects, and strengthen the bond between home and school. From organizing seasonal celebrations and family events to assisting with outdoor learning initiatives, The Perch is a vital part of The Nest community.

    More than a parent-teacher group, The Perch is a space where relationships are built, ideas are shared, and everyone works together to ensure The Nest is a thriving and joyful environment. It’s a reminder that just like the nests we observe in nature, the success of our children depends on a strong and supportive community working together.

  • The health and well-being of our students, families, and staff are our top priorities. At The Nest, we maintain high standards for health, safety, and hygiene to support a thriving learning environment. Our approach focuses on promoting overall wellness, encouraging outdoor activity, and ensuring a clean and safe campus.

    While we no longer have specific COVID-19 protocols in place, we continue to prioritize practices that protect our community from illness, including regular cleaning and sanitizing of shared spaces and materials. Families are encouraged to keep children home if they are unwell to support the health of all students and staff.

    The benefits of outdoor learning are integral to our program, providing a natural way to foster physical and emotional wellness. By spending much of the day outdoors, our students are exposed to fresh air, sunshine, and open spaces, which research shows can help reduce the spread of illness and support overall health.

    For any updates or specific guidelines regarding health-related concerns, The Nest will communicate directly with families and adjust policies as needed in alignment with public health recommendations.

  • Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, and at The Nest Nature School, we believe that an exceptional early childhood education is a transformative investment in your child’s future. Our nature-based curriculum nurtures curiosity, fosters a love of learning, and supports holistic growth—cognitive, social-emotional, and physical. Tuition at The Nest ensures your child benefits from small class sizes, a dedicated team of highly qualified educators, and a unique, immersive learning environment that extends across our beautifully designed campus and 60 acres of natural landscapes.

    Our scheduling options are designed to meet the needs of busy families, with flexible choices for 2, 3, or 5-day programs. Additionally, we offer after-school Nature Camps and summer programming to provide year-round care and enrichment. By enrolling your child at The Nest, you’re providing them with the foundation for a lifetime of learning, confidence, and connection to the natural world.

  • At The Nest Nature School, we believe every child deserves access to an exceptional education, regardless of financial circumstances. While we strive to keep our tuition competitive and affordable, we understand that some families may need additional support to make this important investment in their child’s future. That’s why we are proud to offer scholarships to ensure that finances are never a barrier to experiencing the transformative education we provide.

    We are committed to making the financial aid process welcoming, confidential, and accessible. If you are interested in financial assistance, please know that your request will be handled with care and respect. Our School Director, Alysa Meeks, oversees all financial aid inquiries and will work directly with you to guide the process with sensitivity and professionalism.

    Our scholarship program is made possible through the generosity of donors who believe in the power of education and nature to change lives. By working together, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a nurturing environment that inspires a lifelong love of nature and learning.

    For more information about financial aid or to begin the application process, please contact Alysa Meeks directly at alysa@cibolo.org. We are here to help and look forward to supporting your family’s journey with us.

    Our scheduling options are designed to meet the needs of busy families, with flexible choices for 2, 3, or 5-day programs. Additionally, we offer after-school Nature Camps and summer programming to provide year-round care and enrichment. By enrolling your child at The Nest, you’re providing them with the foundation for a lifetime of learning, confidence, and connection to the natural world.

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“Kindergarten at The Nest reflects the values that guide our school every day. We want children to receive a strong educational foundation while remaining deeply connected to nature, their peers, and the adults who support their learning.”
— Alysa Meeks

Kindergarten

The new program extends The Nest’s nature-based approach beyond preschool, offering families an early elementary option rooted in outdoor learning, small class sizes, and hands-on instruction. The kindergarten program will align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards while maintaining The Nest’s commitment to meaningful engagement with the natural world. Students will spend at least half of their school day outdoors and will learn in classes with a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio. This structure is designed to support individualized learning, strong relationships, and experiential education.

  • The Nest Kindergarten will move into one of our current preschool rooms, creating 1 Kindergarten classroom and 3 preschool classrooms on our current campus.

  • Not at all! We will still have the same outdoor philosophy for our Kindergarten, spending approximately 75% of their day outside.

  • There will be 20 students, with 2 teachers. This will allow the class to break up into smaller groups for more focused and personalized instruction.

  • We have adapted the Blossom and Root homeschool curriculum to fit our learning needs and style. We have aligned each lesson with the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for kindergarten. While there will be a more guided instructional approach, it will still allow students to be exploratory and leaves rooms for teachers to introduce topics of interest.

  • 8:00-9:00 Arrival and OLE

    9:00-9:30 Morning Meeting

    9:30-11:00 Learning Stations

    11:00-12:30 Hike and Lunch

    12:30-1:30 Learning Stations

    1:30-2:30 OLE

    2:30-3:00 Closing Meeting

    3:00-5:30 Aftercare

  • Our kindergarten class will be $1300/month over 10 months. Aftercare will be an additional cost of $250/month for 5 days, $195/month for 3 days, or $140/month for 2 days. There will be a $350 supply and registration fee.

  • Not currently. We do, however, have a robust scholarship fund that will apply to our kindergarten families as well.

  • Our kindergarten program is a 5 day a week program. Our Monday-Thursday schedule will be a more structured academic schedule, leaving Fridays to explore the students’ interests a bit more deeply and spend even time outdoors. Our school year will run from August 17th through May 28th.

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Taste of The Nest

Curious about the Nest?

Taste of The Nest is a special opportunity for families with children aged 18 months to 3 yearsto experience the magic of our nature-based learning community! Join us for a fun and engaging morning where you and your little one can explore, play, and connect with other families while discovering the unique educational approach at The Nest.

When: Wednesdays or Thursdays, 9:30am – 10:30am
Where: The Nest Nature School, 33 Herff Road
Who: Families with children ages 18 months – 3 years
Price: $35 per child per session
Limited Spots: Max 12 children per session

Register

Upcoming Sessions:
March 18 & 19 – Exploring Trees
March 25 & 26 – Finding Flowers
April 1 & 2 – Down in the Dirt
April 8 & 9 – Watching Water
April 15 & 16 – Mushy Mud
April 22 & 23 – Incredible Ice
April 29 & 30 – Colors in Nature

Waitlist: If tickets are not available for your preferred date(s), join our Waitlist, and we’ll notify you if a spot opens up.

Come build community, experience hands-on learning, and see what makes The Nest so special!

  • "The Nest has been such a gift to our family. Our daughter comes home muddy, tired, and full of stories about insects, creek walks, and the ‘secret places’ she’s discovered. We’ve watched her confidence grow right alongside her curiosity. The teachers create such a nurturing environment while still giving the kids real freedom to explore. It feels like childhood the way it’s meant to be."

    — Nest Parent

  • “What sets The Nest apart is the balance between learning and wonder. Our son is learning letters, numbers, and problem-solving skills, but he’s also learning how to care for the land, work as part of a community, and feel comfortable outdoors. The sense of belonging here is real. As parents, we feel supported and connected, not just enrolled.”

    — Nest Parent

  • “I like The Nest because we get to go on adventures! I build forts and look for bugs and climb on big rocks. My teachers help me when I’m sad and cheer for me when I try something new. I like being outside with my friends. It’s my favorite school.”

    — Nest Student

A young boy with short dark hair and a green shirt smiling at the camera, holding a wooden headband with triangle-shaped blue and red flags on top, standing outdoors near a wooden structure with blurred trees in the background.
Young child with blonde hair, wearing a green shirt and red shorts, playing Jenga on a wooden table outdoors under a shelter.
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Young boy with blonde hair and blue eyes smiling, covered in mud, wearing a yellow shirt with a design on the front, outside on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds, and another child in the background running.
Two young children playing in a snowy backyard surrounded by leaves, with a house and large trees in the background, wearing winter clothing.
A young child with tousled blonde hair lying upside down on the forest ground, holding onto a tree branch with both hands. The child is wearing a green shirt and green shorts, and looking directly at the camera with a curious expression. Another chil
A smiling child wearing a warm hat and coat standing outdoors on a ground covered with leaves and some snow.
A young boy with blonde hair smiling in front of a large tree with green leaves and a blue sky background
A young girl lying on the snow-covered ground, smiling and sticking out her tongue, wearing a purple hat, warm jacket, gloves, and pink shoes.
Two young girls climbing and playing on a tree, smiling and enjoying an outdoor activity.
Two young boys outdoors during winter, one sitting in a metal sled with a blue tire and the other sitting on a small wooden ramp. They are dressed warmly in jackets, hats, gloves, and boots, with snow and rocks on the ground surrounded by trees.
A young boy with blonde hair wearing a blue t-shirt and dark pants standing on a large tree branch surrounded by dense tree branches and greenery.
A young boy with brown hair wearing a gray T-shirt with white and purple text and graphics, holding a pink flower in his left hand and a green leaf in his mouth, outdoors in a blurred natural setting.
A smiling young girl with curly hair making a peace sign in a sandbox at a playground, wearing a gray T-shirt with the words 'the nest' and 'nature school,' surrounded by sand toys and sticks.
Young girl with blonde hair climbing a large, weathered tree trunk outdoors.
Four young girls crouching down outdoors, closely examining the ground and small plants.
Two young girls with blonde hair and light skin playing in a tree, one sitting on a branch holding a black stuffed spider with big white eyes, surrounded by trees with green leaves.
Two young girls are standing outdoors with arms outstretched, mimicking airplane wings. They are on a rustic stone pathway with a rural background that includes trees, a fence, and some gardening structures. The girl on the left is wearing a pink hoo
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A woman and a young girl sit on stone stairs outside, looking at a tablet together. The woman has long red hair, sunglasses on her head, and is dressed in a dark green jacket and blue jeans. The girl has light brown hair tied in a ponytail and is wea
A woman with two young children outdoors in front of a large wooden barn with a sign, during daytime with clear blue skies. One child is standing facing her, while another child is sitting on the ground nearby.

Meet The Nest Staff

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  • A young woman with red hair and a nose ring smiling outdoors in front of a dark wooded background.

    Alysa Meeks

    Director

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  • A smiling woman with blue eyes and brown hair, wearing a plaid shirt, standing outdoors with a blurred wooden fence and trees in the background.

    Holly Campbell

    Assistant Director

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  • Close-up of a woman with red hair, blue eyes, and freckles, smiling, wearing a black top, jewelry, and a silver nose ring, with a blurred outdoor background.

    Emily Smith

    Outreach and Pedagogy Coordinator

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  • A young woman with black hair, glasses, and a nose ring smiling outdoors. She is wearing a blue t-shirt with white text and a white star graphic, and the background shows a rustic wooden fence with sunlight filtering through.

    Angela Barbosa

    Teacher

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    Celina Garcia

    Teacher

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    Kaitlin Connally

    Teacher

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  • Close-up of a young woman with reddish-brown hair styled in an updo, smiling, wearing a bright blue shirt, with a background featuring orange and red flowers and dark vertical wooden slats.

    Vanessa Valenzuela

    Teacher

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  • A young woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a bright blue T-shirt with white text, a delicate necklace, and small hoop earrings. She is standing outdoors with blurred wooden fence and greenery in the background.

    Grace Cisneros

    Assistant Teacher

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  • Smiling woman with brown hair wearing a blue t-shirt, standing outside near a wooden fence.

    Iryna Brehey

    Assistant Teacher

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  • A woman with grayish-brown hair, smiling, wearing a gray t-shirt with small white text on it, standing outdoors with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

    Khara Vincent

    Assistant Teacher

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  • Close-up of a woman with curly red hair, wearing a blue shirt, smiling outdoors near a wooden fence with sunlight filtering through.

    Nicole Solis

    Assistant Teacher

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  • A young woman with wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing orange glasses, a blue t-shirt, and a necklace, standing outdoors in front of a wooden fence with colorful flowers on the left.

    Rachel Lawrence

    Assistant Teacher

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