APPALACHIAN
COTTAGE SCHOOL
A Day in the life…
ABOUT ACS
Appalachian Cottage School offers a Christ-centered, liberal arts education inspired by Charlotte Mason. We combine ideas from living books with hands-on agricultural experiences to cultivate knowledge, build skills, and foster a love for God’s creation. Our aim is to help children grow in wisdom and pursue what is True, Good, and Beautiful.
Hybrid Cottage School
Our signature 24-week hybrid program brings trogether a small cohort of just seven students for two in-person school days each week. Rooted in Charlotte Mason principles, students learn through living books, rich discussion, nature and agriculture, the arts, and hands-on study.
Enrollment is limited to 7 students and is currently full.
Liberal Arts Classes & Enrichment
Individualized instruction is available on a limited basis for students seeking a rich liberal arts education outside our full Cottage School program. Studies may include literature, composition, history, geography, science, picture study, music, art, handicrafts, nature lore, and poetry.
Students meet in person each week, with schedules tailored to the individual student, while Google Classroom provides continued instruction, assignments, feedback, and assessment throughout the week.
Limited availability based on student needs and scheduling.
Request to be contacted here.
Themed Farm school days
Our Themed Farm School Days offer immersive, stand-alone learning experiences centered around agriculture, nature, science, and traditional skills. Each day explores a specific theme through hands-on investigation, real-world observation, creative work, and meaningful time outdoors on our five-acre farm.
Offerings vary throughout the year and are designed for different age groups, with intentionally small enrollment to allow students to participate fully, ask questions, and learn by doing.
Learn more and register here.
Plans & educational resources
Bring elements of the Appalachian Cottage School approach into your own home or classroom. Explore downloadable Morning Time plans, lesson plans, curated book lists, nature and art studies, and other resources drawn from the methods and materials we use with our own students.
Coming soon!
Honey Bees
Bugs
Jamie Buckland
Founder & Director
Appalachian Cottage School
Meet Miss Jamie
My husband, Greg, and I have been homeschooling our four children since 2007. We moved to our 5-acre hobby farm in southern West Virginia in 2013, where our family discovered that some of the best learning happens outside—working in the garden, caring for animals, exploring the woods, reading great books, and asking lots of questions.
For more than 10 years, I worked alongside homeschooling families, hybrid schools, and learning programs across West Virginia and the nation. My work included expanding sports access for homeschool students, consulting on how to organize and operate compliant alternative learning environments, and contributing to education policy and the Hope Scholarship. Eventually, I felt called to return my focus to building a hybrid learning community for my own children and other like-minded families. This time, instead of driving 30 minutes into town, we would gather right here on our farm.
Today, Appalachian Cottage School brings together living books, nature, agriculture, and hands-on learning in a small, welcoming community. My hope is that every child who visits our farm leaves feeling curious, capable, and excited to keep learning.