LEARN
ABOUT ACS
OUR MISSION, VISION & VALUES
Mission
The mission of Appalachian Cottage School is to provide a nurturing environment where each child, recognized as a born person created in the image of God, is engaged in experiences inspired by the Charlotte Mason philosophy. We are dedicated to offering a broad and varied “feast of ideas” through living books, meaningful handicrafts, and immersion in nature, fostering the holistic growth of mind, body, and spirit to glorify God in all that we do.
Vision
Appalachian Cottage School envisions a thriving community where students grow into thoughtful, self-disciplined individuals who pursue knowledge with passion and curiosity. Guided by Charlotte Mason’s educational principles and rooted in Christian faith, we seek to inspire a lifelong love of learning, foster a deep reverence for God’s creation, and instill a sense of responsibility and stewardship within each child, preparing them to serve others and live out their faith in meaningful ways.
CHILDREN ARE BORN PERSONS
Each child is recognized as a unique individual created in the image of God, with inherent dignity and potential. We honor their innate capacity for learning and respect their ability to think, feel, and form relationships as reflections of God’s design.
LOVE OF LEARNING
We nourish the mind and soul with a rich and varied feast of living ideas through quality literature, meaningful handicrafts, and experiences in nature, cultivating a lifelong love of learning that flows from curiosity and wonder.
EDUCATION AS A SCIENCE OF RELATIONS
We support children in building connections between various subjects, people, ideas, and their environment, helping them develop a broad understanding of the world and their place in it.
REVERENCE FOR NATURE
We view nature as a vital part of a child’s education, encouraging close observation and respect for all living things. Through nature study, we foster a sense of awe, stewardship, and connection to the created world, acknowledging that the earth is a gift from God and a reflection of His creativity and wisdom.
ATMOSPHERE OF COMMUNITY
We believe education happens within the context of relationships—between teacher and child, child and parent, and within the broader community. We cultivate an atmosphere of respect, cooperation, and mutual support, reflecting Christ’s commandment to love one another.
FORMATION OF GOOD HABITS
Character formation is foundational to our educational approach. We intentionally cultivate habits of attention, perseverance, and integrity, shaping the child’s will and self-discipline in a gentle and consistent manner, guiding them to live in a way that honors God.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 2016 as Appalachian Classical Academy, our organization has a rich history of providing programming rooted in the liberal arts. In 2024, we transitioned to Appalachian Cottage School, filing for a DBA to reflect our move to the farm and expanded vision. This shift integrates an agricultural focus into our classical programming, offering students a unique blend of the study of nature and timeless language-focused learning in a farm-based setting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JAMIE BUCKLAND
Executive Director
JODI BUTTRAM
Chair
SAVANNAH GRIMMETT
Board Member at Large
RYAN GRIMMETT
Treasurer