Imagine a public school where kids spend their days outside, getting their hands dirty, and learning academics through the land and nature of the Mesilla Valley. That school doesn't exist… yet.
We are in the early stages of starting a nature-based, outdoor K-5 charter school in the Las Cruces area that meets rigorous academic standards. I am a Las Cruces mom and educator, and am seeking input from families and the broader community to shape what the school becomes. I would love to hear from you!
Get Involved
We are grateful for any time and thoughts you’d like to share. You are welcome to engage in one or all of the ways of sharing your thoughts and vision for kids in the Las Cruces area.
Community Input Form
We will be tabling at community events and hosting listenings sessions throughout the Fall of 2026. As we set dates, we’ll update the website!
About Me
My name is Amy Holt and I grew up in Las Cruces. I graduated from NMSU in 2010 with a degree in Elementary Education. I am also a mom to a big-hearted and energetic 5-year-old!
Over the last 15 years, I have worked in a few corners of education: public school classrooms, adult workforce development, and most recently leading a team at a non-profit focused on how AI and EdTech are showing up in schools and what that means for kids. The opportunity to see education through different vantage points has made me a more honest observer of what is good for kids, and what we’ve just gotten used to and accepted.
When my son turned 4, I started thinking about what elementary would be like for him. He was thriving at a nature-based preschool where he spent most of the day outside, and his creativity and big spirit were welcome. Would a traditional school environment let him shine? Were there elementary schools that offered significant outdoor time, and that helped kids develop a love for nature?
I spoke with other parents and learned that I wasn’t alone in wanting something like this. I researched schools across the country, and even visited a few. I read a lot of research on the impact of outdoor and nature-based learning, and it was compelling. What started as a worry for my own family, soon became a strong belief that all families should have the option to attend a school like this.
Does nature-based learning work? The research says yes.
Research consistently shows that kids who learn outside demonstrate better social-emotional development, deeper engagement with learning, and better retention of content. Here is a small sample of what the research tells us about the impact of nature on learning:
Six Ways Nature Helps Children Learn, UC Berkeley (2019) - An overview of the research showing that time in nature doesn't come at the cost of academics, but it actually supports them.
Effects of Nature on Cognitive Functioning in School Children, Educational Psychology Review (2022) - Research suggests that green space exposure helps reduce cognitive overload and stress in kids, freeing up the mental bandwidth they need to focus and learn.
Interactions with Nature May Positively Influence the Mental Health of Children and Teenagers, Children and Nature Network (2018) - A review of 35 studies finding meaningful links between time in nature and children’s emotional wellbeing, attention, and self-esteem.