Enrollment
Nidi Schola admits exactly twelve students for the 2026–2027 academic year. We do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis; we curate a community of families aligned in philosophy and committed to the work of partnership.
If you are seeking a drop-off service, standardized test prep, or a traditional five-day classroom, we are not the right fit. If you are seeking a nest - quaint, warm, rigorous, and rooted in the Charlotte Mason tradition we invite you to apply.
The Enrollment Process
Step 1:
Discovery Call
Schedule a 30-minute conversation with Mrs Sansom. We will discuss your child, your family’s educational values, and the parent partnership requirement. This is not a sales call; it is a mutual discernment.
Step 2:
Tour/Observation
Visit Nidi during school hours. See the rhythm in action: the short lessons, the narration, the Friday field study culture. You must witness it before you can commit to it.
Step 3:
Application
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Parent questionnaire.
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Child’s photo and brief narrative description
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References from two families.
Step 4:
Family Interview
A 45-minute home visit or park meeting. We want to meet your child in their natural habitat and ensure your home atmosphere complements the school atmosphere.
Step 5:
Enrollment Decision
Acceptance letters sent within one week of interview. If accepted, a non-refundable enrollment deposit of one month’s tuition secures your spot. The remaining balance is paid over 11 months (August–June).
Only a few spots left for the
2026-27 Nidi school year.
Frequently asked questions
Nidi Schola serves students ages 5–8 in a mixed-age learning community, growing with families through age 10.
Parents who might want to homeschool but can not fully commit.
Parents who are currently homeschool and need support and community.
Parents willing to serve as Friday Field Assistants approximately once per month (8:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.)
Families aligned with Charlotte Mason philosophy: limited screen time at home, outdoor daily life, literary-rich environment
Working parents who need Monday–Thursday coverage (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) but value Friday afternoons free
Parents willing to attend monthly Parent Education Evenings (first Tuesday of each month, 6:30–8:00 p.m.)
Families committed to the full year-round calendar (July 27, 2026–June 25, 2027), including the six-weeks-on/one-week-off rhythm
Families seeking five-day coverage (we operate Mon–Thu academics + Fri half-day field studies only)
Parents unable to commit to the Friday rotation or monthly evening meetings
Families prioritizing academic acceleration or early reading pressure over habit formation and nature study
Those uncomfortable with the homeschool hybrid model (you remain the legal educator of record; we are your tutorial partner)
Tuition: $6,000 per academic year
Payment Plan: $500/month for 12 months (July 2026–June 2027)
Non-refundable deposit: $500 (due upon acceptance, applies to July payment)
What tuition covers:
Monday–Thursday instruction (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Friday field study coordination and materials
All curriculum and living books
Nature study supplies (journals, field guides, art materials)
What tuition does not cover:
Basic school supplies (pencils, paper, watercolor paints) A supply list will be provided.
Lunch (children bring packed lunch Monday–Thursday)
Friday field study transportation (parents carpool or meet at site)
Specific outdoor gear (rain boots, snow pants—required but purchased by families)
Sibling Policy:
Nidi Schola serves kindergarten only (ages 5–6). If we expand to Form 1 (grades 1–3) in future years, siblings of current Nidi students receive priority admission.
Applications Now Open: April 15, 2026
Discovery Calls: Ongoing through June 2026 (limited availability)
Application Deadline: Rolling until 12 spots are filled
Acceptance Notifications: Within 7 days after discovery calls
Enrollment Deadline: Deposit due within 14 days of acceptance to secure spot
Location Confirmation: June 1, 2026
Parent Intensive: July 18–19, 2026
First Day of School: July 27, 2026
Neither, exactly. We operate under Michigan’s homeschool statute. Parents file the homeschool notification (if they choose—Michigan requires no formal paperwork) and remain the legal educators of record. Nidi Schola provides the curriculum, instruction, and community four days per week as part of your homeschool program. This allows us to keep tuition accessible and maintain our boutique scale.
No. We are strictly private pay. This preserves our curricular independence and keeps our administrative overhead minimal.
Parents are responsible for finding another Nidi parent to swap dates. If no swap is available, you may bring your child to Friday field study yourself (you stay for the duration) or keep them home that day. Consistent failure to fulfill the Friday commitment may result in forfeiture of enrollment.
Keep sick children home. We have no “perfect attendance” awards; we have communal care. If your child has fever, vomiting, or significant cough, they may not attend. We are not licensed for childcare and cannot provide sick care.
No. Nidi Schola is a full community commitment. The twelve students function as a single organism; partial attendance disrupts the narration circle and the Friday field study dynamic.
Currently, Nidi Schola serves students ages 5 to 8. Graduating Nidi students can seek placement at Charlotte Mason Community School a CM education up to grade 8.
Nidi Schola has no uniform in the traditional sense. We have a simple, intentional dress code designed to protect the atmosphere of the classroom and the freedom of the child.
Our color palette draws from the natural world — mustard, goldenrod, cream, khaki, and black — so that children feel connected to the earth they explore every Friday, not branded by logos or distracted by trends.
Tops: Collared polo shirts or button-up Oxfords in mustard yellow, goldenrod, white, or black.
Bottoms: Khaki or black — pants, shorts, skirts, or jumpers — with an optional plaid skirt in our signature black, white, and gold tartan.
Layers: Black only — cardigans, sweater vests, or knit pullovers.
We ask families to avoid character clothing, logos, and anything that sparks envy or competition. Children are image-bearers, not billboards. The goal is freedom of movement, modesty, and simplicity — clothes that allow climbing, sitting on the floor, and outdoor exploration without fuss.
On Friday field studies, long pants and closed-toe shoes are required for woods and tall grass. A complete change of clothes should be kept at Nidi in a labeled bag for unexpected wetness or mud.
If you have questions about sourcing or need help finding affordable options, talk to Shanna. We believe no family should be kept from this nest because of a dress code.