Explore Our Classrooms

The classrooms at Higher Elevations are thoughtfully crafted by educators who understand that the physical environment shapes learning. Each space is intentionally designed to foster a sense of safety, comfort, and exploration—a place where students can feel secure enough to take risks, comfortable enough to settle in and focus, and inspired enough to wonder and discover.

From the arrangement of furniture to the choice of lighting and materials, every detail reflects the educators' commitment to creating an atmosphere that welcomes curiosity while providing the emotional grounding children need to thrive. These aren't just rooms where learning happens—they're carefully cultivated environments where students feel seen, valued, and free to grow.

Tour Our School

The Meadow Room Sprouts

6 wks - 12 months

Sprouts is our Infant classroom. Full of new beginnings and growth. Just as a sprout pushes gently into the world with curiosity and possibility, our infants begin their learning journey here; supported, seen, and honored.

Led by a deeply attuned team of Infant Educators who practice RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) principles, the Sprouts room is rooted in respect, responsiveness, and allowing even the youngest children to unfold at their own natural pace.

It is a space where the earliest expressions, discoveries, and connections bloom before our eyes! One of the many reasons it so lovingly carries the name, Sprouts.

The Meadow Room Buttercups

12 - 18 Months

Although children spend just a short six months in this space, the Buttercups classroom is intentionally designed to cradle them, much like a bright buttercup nestled in an open meadow.

Here, children are given room to blossom at their own pace, form early cohorted friendships, and begin discovering the rhythm of their expressive language. It’s a small window of time, but one full of remarkable growth, curiosity, and connection.

Strawberry Mountain Bluebirds

24-36 Months

As the smallest of the Mountain Rooms, the Strawberry Mountain Bluebirds are a vibrant group of toddlers preparing to transition into the larger Cascade Rooms and continue their journey of growth and elevation.

This special, cohorted group of 8 grows side by side as they begin their early socialization as emerging preschoolers. Together, they engage in Reggio & Montessori Inspired focused studio groups, build confidence through potty-learning routines, and deepen their Habits of Mind by understanding who they are; their competencies, capabilities, and growing sense of confidence.

Huckleberries

18-24 Months

The Huckleberries classroom (18–24 months) is bursting with curiosity, wonder, and joyful engagement.

Here, children explore their world with growing confidence, practice rich descriptive language, and build meaningful early friendships through shared discovery and play.

Cascade Rooms

3-5 Yrs

These rooms are named after the highest elevated mountains in the Pacific Northwest, with a woodsy greater NW animal mascot.

As one of our oldest mixed age groups, the Hawks embody the sharp eyed perspective of a high mountain peak. The Mt. Rainier Hawks classroom, complete with soaring ceilings, instantly gives an elevated “summit” feeling. This connected community of 3–5 year olds thrives in a mixed age model, where younger children learn from the older, and the older care for and remember what it felt like to be younger. Together, they create a thoughtful, intentional, and beautifully balanced environment each day.

Mt. Baker Chickadees

3-5 Yrs

The Mt. Baker Chickadees classroom, much like the spirited little birds of the Northwest, is filled with warmth, social connection, and a strong sense of family. Their days are rooted in curiosity, community, and the gentle rhythm that comes from being part of a nurturing flock.

As one of our mixed-age Preschool groups, the Chickadees, similar to our Hawks, benefit deeply from learning in a shared 3–5 year old community. Younger children look up to the older ones, while the older Chickadees remember what it felt like to be little and naturally step into roles of care, leadership, and empathy.

Together, they build an intentional, balanced, and joyful classroom culture where relationships guide learning and every child feels seen and supported.