About Us

About Our Community

Our growing community minded learning environment designed for 3–10-year-olds to learn, explore and grow. At the core of our approach is the belief that teachers are educators, and their job is to take the interests of the kids and help them navigate those interests in a meaningful and concrete way. Days are organized, but not structured. The experiences are guided and facilitated by the kids, not the teachers.

Kids are learning about the earth, animals, growing vegetables, flowers, the seasons, lifecycles, landforms, weather and much more. They are exposed to real life, practical skills and learning about math and science through everyday activities, chores and life skills. This develops confidence, helping them learn how to plan and organize their days.

Blended and Emergent Learning Experiences

The emergent learning program is fluid, flexible and adaptable and while goals and standards are set, they too emerge, for an individualized approach that is child led, and gives kids choices.

Blending elements from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason and others, we aim to blend parts of many alternative school philosophies and create our own, emergent program that reflects the kids and their curiosity and interests.

I don’t believe that kids can achieve their full potential by being married to only one philosophy or pedagogy. I think every child learns differently and I think merging several philosophies in a holistic and organic way is really when we really see magic happen. There’s a lot that I love about different pedagogies, but I think you can become rigid, and we don’t want that. I believe that we can merge all of this depending on the day, the kid and the skill being taught and that’s where we find the balance,” said Tia Rendine, Founder and Creator.

Alternative Learning

We understand that choosing alternative learning can be challenging to navigate, but with a strong community and support system, it becomes a much easier transition for your family. Intentionally limiting the number of kids enrolled at any one time helps create an individualized learning experience for students and a support system for all families. Our team is stacked with educational backgrounds, degrees and experiences that help us meet the needs of all situations. We welcome children from homeschooling backgrounds, those seeking an alternative to public school or those just starting their kids’ educational journey.

Contact us to see how we can help your family!
timeline

Our History

2021

Tia resigns from public school teaching, begins pods, weekly kids yoga and music classes. This eventually develops into a full preschool program

2022

Holistic Learners continues to offer a preschool program in Bergen County. The program is small and differentiated to tailor each student/family. The program grows with the kids!

2023

Holistic Learners moves to Warren NJ and continues to offer a small, individualized program. !

2024

Holistic Learners grows to a much larger program, yet still flexible and adaptable to each family’s needs.

2025

Holistic Learners is a growing community and envisions utilizing their farm property by the end of this year! Farm School is coming soon!

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2021
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2025