Located in the Loess Hills of Iowa
A tuition-free, nature school, serving K-5 students.
Red Barn Schoolhouse • Crescent, Iowa
Grounded in Community.
Inspired by Nature.
Enrolling K-4 Students Now!
Celebrate Learning Naturally
Outdoor Based Education
Collaborative Instruction
Holistic Understanding
Cultivating Curious Minds
We are a tuition-free, public K–5 nature school where learning is grounded in collaborative instruction, project- and inquiry-based experiences, and daily time outdoors. Our integrated approach nurtures the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Integrating Nature, Art, and Community
At Red Barn Schoolhouse, students learn through nature, the arts, and the people around them. Whether exploring the outdoors, creating through art, or working alongside community members, learning is active, connected, and meaningful.
You might see students observing seasonal changes in the landscape, building and creating with natural materials, or collaborating with a local artist or expert to bring a project to life. These experiences invite students to ask questions, make connections, and see how their learning extends beyond the classroom.
Our Site & Timeline
Red Barn Schoolhouse is growing—and we’re excited to share what’s ahead.
Red Barn Schoolhouse will open in a temporary location while our permanent campus is built just down the road. Families will have the unique opportunity to watch our school grow from its very first day through the completion of our long-term home.
August 24, 2026 First Day of School
Red Barn opens at its temporary campus:
1120 Old Lincoln Highway
Crescent, IA 51526
This space provides an open layout and established outdoor areas that support the hands-on, nature-based learning experiences at the heart of Red Barn.
Late Summer / Early Fall 2026 Breaking Ground on Our Permanent Campus
17541 Badger Avenue
Crescent, IA 51526
Our permanent site is a beautiful, open alfalfa field bordered by deep creeks and trees—an ideal setting for the learning experiences we envision for our students.
August 2027
Moving Into Our Permanent Home
Students and staff will begin the 2027–2028 school year in Red Barn’s permanent campus, marking an exciting new chapter in our school’s story.
We look forward to sharing updates, photos, and construction milestones along the way. This is a unique opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning, and we are excited to build Red Barn with care and intention alongside our families.
Land Acknowledgment
Red Barn Schoolhouse is located on land that is the ancestral and traditional territory of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, the Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha Tribe), and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
We acknowledge and honor the deep and enduring relationship these tribes have with this land—past, present, and future.
