Under the Canopy School to open in Tulsa, blending core subjects with nature education

A new charter school in Tulsa is preparing to open its doors with a mission to connect students to nature, without leaving the city.

The Under the Canopy School, housed in the former Park Elementary building, will launch its first school year on Aug. 20, 2025. With a curriculum that blends core subjects with outdoor learning, the school aims to foster environmental awareness and hands-on learning in students as young as Pre-K.

The school will open with grades Pre-K through 3rd and plans to add a new grade level each year.

Bringing nature into the school day

Under the Canopy school started as an after-school program in 2016. School founder Margaritte Arthrell-Knezek said the program’s success revealed a deeper need: giving children more consistent access to outdoor learning environments.

“So we weren’t just looking at nature as a place that’s far away and beautiful to visit sometimes,” Arthrell-Knezek said. “It was like, what is actually happening in our neighborhoods—what trees, what birds are singing, what kind of insects are around? Lots of exploring the urban nature environment.”

A new kind of classroom

The curriculum merges traditional subjects like math, reading and history with art and nature-based education. That includes outdoor class time, local ecology exploration, and hands-on environmental projects.

School leaders say they hope the approach helps children connect academics with real-world experiences while deepening their sense of place.

“We’re definitely raising the next generation of environmental stewards,” Arthrell-Knezek said. “Really having a deep understanding for the nature here in Tulsa and in Oklahoma—it’s very rich. There’s a lot of layers and beauty to this place.”

Tracking the impact

Arthrell-Knezek said many studies have been done in Europe on the effects of nature-based early childhood programs in both academics and behavior.

Educators at Under the Canopy plan to study how students respond to nature-based learning. The school will gather data on engagement, academic progress and emotional well-being to measure the benefits.

How to enroll

Parents interested in enrolling their children can apply through the Tulsa Public Schools website. The current enrollment window is open until May 23.

The school is located near West 41st Street and West 38th Street in Tulsa. You can learn more about the Under the Canopy school's mission and curriculum on the school's website.