RBS FAQs

The Red Barn Schoolhouse submitted an application that was approved as a public charter school in January 2025 in response to community preferences. A public charter school is a school option that has been approved and certified by the Iowa State Board of Education. It is required to comply with all federal, state and local laws as are other public schools. Red Barn Schoolhouse will fully satisfy Iowa State Standards and assessment requirements. Teachers will be fully certified and have the proper endorsements and licensure. While the school will receive grants and endowments, its main permanent revenue source is a per pupil revenue from the state. Charter schools are free to any Iowa resident, are not permitted to be an entity that initiates school bonds or receives tuition. The school is governed by a select Governing Board rather than an elected school board.

Each charter school decides their focus.  Survey results indicated the top three community choices for a new school were:  academic rigor, outdoor learning  and a small school — the Red Barn Schoolhouse is designed to address those community preferences. The Red Barn Schoolhouse is a nature and arts integrated public charter school where children spend one-half their time outside to discover and learn. Our vision is to nurture children’s curiosity, resilience, joy, and compassion and to inspire changemakers of the future. We envision a school that celebrates diversity, promotes innovative and experiential curriculum, and generates gratitude for the natural world.

Transportation and food services will not be provided in year one due to the requisite regulatory oversight. Students are asked to bring a snack and lunch to school each day. Data from students and families will be evaluated to see if future offerings will be warranted. School treats and gardening activities will be offered.

The Red Barn Schoolhouse is committed to serve all the students and families who choose to attend there.  We have a close relationship with Green Hills AEA and together will serve students with individualized education plans, English learner students and talented and gifted students.

Research suggests that there are a variety of ways that nature and arts education enhance children’s health development and overall well being including:

• improves academic performance
• enhances communication
• enhances brain development
• promotes socio-emotional development
• reduces symptoms of neurodiversity
• promotes physical activity and motor development
• aids in healing from stress and burn out
• increases emotional resilience and generates acceptance of others.

In addition to student benefits, the structure reduces teacher stress and burn out by reducing teacher ratios and  providing one day per week solely for teacher reflection, collaboration and professional development. Teacher preparation traditionally is limited to time during lunch or weekends.

In year 1, roughly 45 full-time students will be enrolled in grades K-4 with full expansion to K-5 and 100 children in subsequent years.  The children will have individualized attention and will be served by mixed age development bands.   

The school has a year-round calendar  and offers a 4 day student week.  The year round calendar keeps students engaged on their learning paths avoiding stagnant summer gaps, provides  equity for summer options for families and allows teachers to take breaks to avoid burnout.

The Red Barn Schoolhouse campus will contain a newly constructed 4,000+ s.f. building with outdoor trails, outdoor learning nodes and storm shelter protection. The school address is located at 17541 Badger Avenue, Crescent Iowa 51526. The 5.3 acre site contains natural amenities such as Crescent Creek, natural prairies, and old growth forests ready for discovery.  

The first day of school will be August 24, 2026. School hours will be  8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The school construction will not be complete as of August 2026 so a temporary school site will be offered with natural features as well.