Forest School in San Francisco
Where Nature Nurtures Learning
WHO WE ARE
Greenwood Trail Forest School
An all-outdoor forest school for children ages 2–5 in Golden Gate Park.
We spend our day exploring, climbing, digging, and discovering the natural world through engaging projects and child-led learning.
In small groups, each child is supported to grow at their own pace, building confidence, independence, and a strong connection to the world around them.
Why Families Choose Us
We focus on what matters most to families: safety, caring teachers, meaningful learning, and time in nature. Everything we do is built around helping children grow with confidence and curiosity.
• Low teacher-to-child ratios for close attention
• CPR-certified staff and daily safety checks
Safety First
• Low teacher-to-child ratios for close attention
• CPR-certified staff and daily safety checks
CHILD-LED learning
• Learning through play, exploration, and curiosity
• Supports emotional, social, and cognitive growth
Qualified Teachers
• Warm experienced educators who truly care
• Focus on each child’s growth and individuality
The Gift of Nature
• Daily outdoor play and real-world experiences
• Builds confidence, creativity, and resilience
• Learning through play, exploration, and curiosity
• Supports emotional, social, and cognitive growth
• Daily outdoor play and real-world experiences
• Builds confidence, creativity, and resilience
• Warm experienced educators who truly care
• Focus on each child’s growth and individuality
CHILD-LED learning
Qualified Teachers
The Gift of Nature
Safety First
our philosophy
Children build a connection to the natural world through daily outdoor play, exploration, and discovery.
Child-led learning
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Supported Risk
Children take on small challenges with guidance, building confidence, awareness, and trust in their own abilities
Connection to Nature
Children build a connection to the natural world through daily outdoor play, exploration, and discovery.
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Confidence & Resilience
confidence & resilience
Through new challenges and experiences, children build confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep trying
holistic growth
Through new challenges and experiences, children build confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep trying
Holistic Growth
Child-led learning
connection to nature
Children grow across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas through meaningful and engaging experiences
Children take on small challenges with guidance, building confidence, awareness, and trust in their own abilities
Children grow across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas through meaningful and engaging experiences
supported risk
Engaging Learning Experience
A rich curriculum with real preparation for kindergarten.
One platform for communication, progress, and billing
We value connection and transparency. With Brightwheel, families receive real-time updates, photos, and daily insights, including attendance and nap tracking.
ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE
DAILY PROGRESS & PHOTOS
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
Daily check-in/check-out is quick and secure using Brightwheel’s digital system.
Brightwheel tracks daily attendance and arrival/pick-up times.
Teachers and staff share updates, reminders, and announcements through the app, so you’re always in the loop.
BILLING & PAYMENTS
ENROLLMENT & FORMS
Parents receive updates, notes, and photos of their child’s activities — capturing learning moments, nature play, and special memories throughout the day.
DAILY PROGRESS & PHOTOS
SIGN-IN & SIGN-OUT
Tuition and fees are billed through Brightwheel. You can set up automatic payments or pay directly in the app.
Enrollment paperwork and required forms are completed and stored securely in Brightwheel.
BILLING & PAYMENTS
SIGN-IN & SIGN-OUT
ENROLLMENT & FORMS
Meet the Team
Maddy Sienicki
Lead Teacher
Al Voulfson
Maddy is a Certified Lead Teacher with specialized training in Forest School education and holds a B.A. in Environmental Sustainability. With experience in both traditional classrooms and outdoor learning environments, she brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to early childhood education, supporting children through play, exploration, and meaningful outdoor experiences.
Her work is rooted in the belief that nature-based learning builds confidence, resilience, and independence. Maddy is passionate about creating nurturing environments where children feel safe to explore, take risks, and grow at their own pace.
Jayce is an educator and artist originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, now based in San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from Boston University, with a concentration in choreography and movement. With years of experience in education, she is passionate about guiding children with kindness, respect, and empathy while building community and meaningful connections.
Outside of work, Jayce enjoys hiking, camping, practicing yoga, and exploring her interests in botany, herbalism, and dance.
AL is a teacher at Greenwood Trail who recently relocated from Santa Cruz, CA. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and has focused her career on wildlife toxicology and avian and monarch conservation. Al also brings years of experience working with children in a variety of settings and is passionate about nurturing unique connections to land, wildlife, and self through outdoor learning.
Outside of work, Al enjoys birding, long bike adventures, various crafts, and writing.
Teacher
Jayce Ross
Teacher
