Questions
Everything families ask us first.
Current tuition, availability, staffing, ratios, schedules, and enrollment terms are confirmed directly with families during a tour.
What ages do you serve?
MANA offers two learning pods: MANA Explorers for ages 4–6 and MANA Makers for ages 7–11.
What is project-based learning?
At MANA, project-based learning weaves reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, art, entrepreneurship, communication, and service into authentic projects that matter. Children actively build knowledge through child-led exploration, hands-on making, and real responsibility.
How do children learn reading, writing, and math?
MANA weaves reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, art, entrepreneurship, communication, and service into authentic projects. Explorers develop language, literacy, and mathematics through storytelling, play, movement, nature, art, music, practical life, and sensory exploration. Makers continue core academics through meaningful work.
What is a typical day like?
Children move through meaningful project work, creative practice, nature, and shared responsibility. Each morning begins with intention, and each afternoon closes with reflection. Current daily rhythms are shared with families during a tour.
What is the guide-to-child ratio?
Current group size and staffing details are shared directly with families during a tour so they can understand the support available in each learning community.
How do you support emotional development?
MANA supports emotional development through empathy, gratitude, responsibility, leadership, conflict resolution, self-awareness, listening, kindness, mindfulness, breathing techniques, and emotional regulation. Instead of punishment, MANA practices restoration and helps children identify needs, regulate their nervous systems, and repair relationships.
What role does nature play?
Nature is one of MANA’s greatest teachers. Children learn through observation, hiking, sketching, science investigations, outdoor reading, journaling, and natural materials, and spend regular days at a nearby 85-acre ranch caring for animals, gardening, studying ecosystems, and practicing land stewardship.
How do you assess progress?
MANA makes learning visible through projects, revision, reflection, presentations, and the work children create. Kids Helping Kids also includes a professional portfolio documenting each student’s journey from initial idea to product launch.
How do families participate?
Families begin by scheduling a tour and meeting the guides. Some families also choose to travel with MANA to visit partner communities supported through Kids Helping Kids.
What are tuition and enrollment options?
Current tuition and enrollment options are shared directly with families. Schedule a tour to discuss program fit, availability, and next steps for MANA Explorers or MANA Makers.
What should children bring each day?
MANA provides the current daily packing list during enrollment. Families can ask about clothing, food, water, materials, and project-specific needs during a tour.
Plan your visit
Come experience what learning can feel like.
See what becomes possible when children are trusted, challenged, inspired, and deeply connected to the world around them.
Ojai, California