01 · FOUNDATION
Arkansas standards and core curriculum
Curriculum maps and pacing guides connect every unit to Arkansas Academic Standards, supported by selected materials for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Opening Fall 2027 · Grades 6–10
A school built for the world beyond the classroom.
Arkansas Outdoor Academy is a tuition-free public school planned for Little Rock. Arkansas standards, outdoor fieldwork, technology, and career pathways come together in one connected learning model.
Why AOA
Learning feels different when the world becomes part of the lesson.01
Standards aligned
Arkansas Academic Standards and high-quality instructional materials anchor every course.
02
Built for application
Outdoor fieldwork gives students a real setting for science, math, literacy, and civic learning.
03
Connected to careers
Technology and career pathways help students see where their learning can take them.
The academic model
A strong academic foundation, built to travel.
AOA combines classroom instruction with structured field investigation. Students first build knowledge with certified teachers and high-quality materials, then apply it through real questions, local environments, technology, and collaborative work.
02 · APPLICATION
Structured outdoor instruction
Two outdoor-learning days each week make fieldwork part of the academic schedule. Outdoor learning is teacher-led instruction, not free time or an occasional field trip.
03 · INVESTIGATION
Interdisciplinary and applied STEM
Students conduct environmental investigations, gather data, map systems, solve problems, and connect learning across subjects.
04 · RESPONSE
Instruction shaped by student data
Benchmark assessments, progress monitoring, and teacher data meetings guide enrichment, reteaching, and targeted support through the school’s MTSS framework.
Classroom foundation
Learn the concept with clear, direct instruction.
Core classroom learning protects the knowledge and skills students need in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, health, and other required courses.
Field application
Use the concept where it becomes real.
About half of instructional time is planned for outdoor or applied environments, including two structured field-learning days each week and additional project work across the schedule.
Place-based academics
One real investigation can connect many disciplines.
Academic standards remain central. Place and investigation give students meaningful contexts in which to encounter and apply those standards, then return to the classroom to test ideas, explain evidence, and revise their thinking.
Understand the watershed.
Study water quality, habitat, flow, and ecological relationships.
Make evidence visible.
Measure, compare, model, graph, and interpret field data.
Research and communicate.
Read sources, write with evidence, and communicate to a real audience.
Understand people and policy.
Trace history, land use, public decisions, and competing interests.
Map and analyze systems.
Use technology when it helps students investigate, document, or explain.
Build a responsible response.
Define constraints, evaluate options, test ideas, and revise.
The place changes the context, not the expectation. Students still learn the standards and show what they know.
Why this model works
Explore the research on academic learning, attention, motivation, wellbeing, and the benefits of connecting school to place.
Built around how students learn
The model has evidence behind it.
A growing body of research connects nature-based and place-based education with student attention, engagement, movement, motivation, and meaningful application of academic learning.
Explore the research behind the AOA model →One connected model
Every subject has a classroom foundation and a real-world application.
Field experiences are mapped to grade-level standards. Students return to the classroom to analyze evidence, strengthen understanding, and communicate what they learned.
| Learning area | Classroom foundation | Outdoor or applied learning | Academic purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| English language arts | Literature, research, and writing | Field journaling and environmental communication | Literacy, evidence, and expression |
| Mathematics | Concepts and problem solving | Measurement, mapping, modeling, and data analysis | Apply mathematical reasoning |
| Science | Scientific concepts and laboratory work | Ecological studies, water testing, and field investigation | Practice scientific inquiry |
| Social studies | Civic, historical, and geographic analysis | Community mapping and place-based research | Understand people, policy, and place |
| STEM and EAST | Coding, design, and research methods | GIS, environmental data, and community projects | Use technology to solve real problems |
| Advisory | Mentoring and Student Success Plans | Leadership, teamwork, and reflection | Build direction and belonging |
English language artsSavvas Learning Company
MathematicsMcGraw Hill
ScienceTWIG Science
Social studiesTraverse Curriculum
Career-connected programming
Three pathways rooted in Arkansas.
Students begin with career awareness, move into exploration and pathway selection, and progress toward advanced coursework, credentials, applied research, and capstone work.
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PATHWAY 01
Conservation Sciences
Environmental science, conservation, land and water management, ecological monitoring, and stewardship.
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PATHWAY 02
Outdoor Tourism and Recreation
Outdoor recreation planning, visitor experience, tourism, hospitality, trail systems, and public-land stewardship.
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PATHWAY 03
Outdoor First Responders (EMT & Emergency Services)
Public safety, emergency response, health services exploration, and outdoor leadership.
Place-based problem solving
EAST Initiative
EAST is one way AOA connects outdoor learning, academics, purposeful technology, research, and community partnerships. Students can observe a local problem, collect field data, map an area with GIS, research the issue, analyze evidence, work with experts, design or evaluate solutions, and communicate what they found.
The technology serves the investigation. It is selected because students need to map, measure, analyze, model, document, design, or communicate something real.
GIS mappingEnvironmental sensorsData visualizationDigital designCommunity research
Grades 6 through 12
The program deepens as students grow.
The progression moves students from academic foundations and career awareness to pathway study, applied research, college readiness, and capstone work.
6
Build foundationsEnvironmental observation and career awareness
7
Develop skillsSTEM investigation and technology exploration
8
Prepare and chooseEnvironmental investigation and pathway selection
9
Begin college prepApplied STEM and Career and Technical Education introduction
10
Enter a pathwayAdvanced coursework and outdoor research
11
Conduct researchCollege readiness and advanced pathway coursework
12
Complete the capstonePostsecondary preparation and pathway completion
Student support
Support is built into the school day.
Every day
Intervention and enrichment
A daily MTSS block provides literacy and mathematics support, applied reinforcement, and enrichment.
Every student
Student Success Plans
Academic, leadership, and resilience goals are reviewed with students and families through student-led conferences.
Whole student
Advisory and counseling
Mentoring, academic advising, social-emotional support, career exploration, and early intervention help students stay connected.
All settings
Accessible participation
Student services, accommodations, health plans, and learning supports extend into both classroom and outdoor environments.
The essentials
What families should know.
What is Arkansas Outdoor Academy?
AOA is a tuition-free public school planned for Little Rock, Arkansas. Its academic model integrates outdoor learning with strong core instruction.
When will the school open?
The planned opening is Fall 2027.
Which grades will AOA serve?
AOA plans to open with grades 6 through 10, add grade 11 the following year, and then grade 12.
Does outdoor learning replace classroom instruction?
No. Outdoor learning expands and strengthens classroom instruction. It gives students new settings in which to investigate, apply, and remember what they learn.
What does an outdoor-learning week look like?
AOA plans two structured outdoor-learning days each week as part of the core academic program. Classroom instruction, field investigation, data analysis, technology projects, intervention, enrichment, and advisory work together across the week.
How will outdoor instruction remain safe?
Outdoor learning will be led by trained staff using planned supervision and field-safety procedures. Teachers will complete Wilderness First Aid certification and annual preparation in experiential instruction, student supervision, and outdoor safety.
How will student growth be measured?
AOA will use course performance, ongoing progress monitoring, NWEA MAP Growth, ATLAS assessments, applied projects, capstones, and career-pathway competencies to understand student progress.
Will families pay tuition?
No. Arkansas Outdoor Academy is planned as a tuition-free public school.
Opening Fall 2027
A new path for Arkansas students is taking shape.
Enrollment details, information sessions, and campus updates will be shared as plans are finalized.
Explore the school again