Cultivating Wisdom, Character, and Capability

Nature-based learning on a 40-acre mountain campus for ages 7-12, developing mind, body, heart, and hands.

Volo: Latin for "I fly" and "I will"

Families choose Volo because students master academics while building character and real-world capability. Led by skilled educators in small groups, they tackle genuine challenges and develop competence across all dimensions.

From Arthur Morris, PhD, Founder & Lead Educator —

When we started Volo in 2021, we had a simple question: how can we help young people get deep learning and genuine well-being at the same time?

Drawing on decades of teaching across multiple countries, published research in education, and proven methods from top education traditions, we created the school we wish we’d had, and that we wanted for the children in our lives.

The young people in our community are thriving: building genuine competence, discovering their unique strengths, and developing the resilience and creativity the world needs. They spend much of their time learning outdoors in these beautiful mountains in the most powerful classrooms we can offer, and these are truly world class.

I invite you to visit us and see it in action.

Our Educational Foundation

Volo combines proven approaches from some of the world's most successful educational traditions, where academic excellence is prioritized together with well-being. We combine the personalized learning of Montessori, the developmental wisdom of Waldorf, the research-backed practice of Finnish schools, and more.

Three core principles guide everything we do:

Student engaged in personalized learning

Personalized Learning Paths

Every student follows a structured learning plan designed for their developmental stage, built on proven traditions from Montessori, Waldorf, and Finnish education. Experienced mentors assess where each child is and design challenges that help them grow. Students master foundational skills in math, literacy, and science while developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Small groups (currently around 5:1, maximum 11:1 as we grow) ensure close guidance and genuine support.

Nature as Classroom

Students spend 60% of their time learning outdoors under close mentorship: studying in, from, and about nature. In: nature provides ideal classrooms with manipulatives, good lighting, and great design. From: nature provides compelling examples and inspiration for learning math, writing, science, history, music, and art. About: we learn about the world around us, using principles of place-based learning. Every outdoor session has clear learning objectives, expert guidance, and safety protocols. Nature is an ideal learning environment, fostering mental, physical, and emotional health, where cognitive development is strong and curiosity is natural.

Small, Intentional Community

Maximum 24 students means every child is closely known and well-supported. Multi-age groups (similar to how families work) allow younger students to learn from older peers and older students to develop leadership. Teachers and mentors guide and support each child's academic progress, social development, and emotional well-being; really seeing each individual.

Locations

Park City Hub

Volo's Indoor Classrooms

4554 Forestdale Drive, E26, 2nd Floor

Our indoor learning space, which includes 2 classrooms and a kitchen, provides a focused environment for academic work, small-group instruction, and activities that require shelter. This is also our daily drop-off and pick-up location, making transitions smooth for families.

Aspen Campus

Volo's Outdoor Classrooms

Private Property in Garff Ranches

Forty acres with aspen groves, a spring-fed perennial stream, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. Students here learn in a context ideal for memorable learning experiences, with nature as a teacher and natural objects to enhance learning experiences. Math, reading, writing, science, social studies, art, and music are all great to study outside. We plan and use outside time strategically for learning that is best out here.

Field Sites

Special Destinations

Nearby in Summit, Wasatch, and Salt Lake Counties

Additional learning sites include 60 acres along the Weber River near Oakley and partnerships with conservation organizations. These locations extend our outdoor classroom, providing diverse ecosystems for ecological study and real-world learning experiences.

Our Learning Community

Students at Volo master foundational skills in math and literacy, scientific thinking, creative expression, self-knowledge, and genuine confidence. Often they work above grade level as their abilities and interests allow. Our integrated curriculum weaves together academics with hands-on experience. Students develop as young scientists, readers, writers, artists, and collaborators – collecting invertebrates, monitoring stream water quality, measuring solutions indoors, asking questions, writing stories and poetry. They explore physics through building and play. They study history and place-based learning, understanding their connection to the landscape and community. And much more.

How We Track Progress

Progress is assessed continuously through observations, conversations, and assignments. Each student works on personalized learning goals throughout the days and meets individually with mentors weekly to build responsibility. Students create showcase portfolios and complete self-assessments. Families receive detailed narrative reports (not letter grades) twice yearly.

Our Growth

Founded in 2021, Volo now serves 13 students across our programs. We’re supported by tuition and charitable contributions as we grow toward sustainability. We’re growing thoughtfully, maintaining our commitment to small class sizes and deep relationships.

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