Barnyard Academy

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Barnyard Academy Barnyard Academy is a nature-based school set on a small working farm offering part-time preschool classes as well a homeschool/after-school enrichment program

09/04/2026

Rufus, our beloved school/farm dog, hard at work protecting our flocks of backyard chickens. Howling to the coyotes amongst the hills across the street.

09/02/2026

Bb is for Butterfly! We began our study of caterpillars, butterflies and months last week. While we hunt for caterpillars all year long and have bug boxes full of assorted insects and spiders in our classroom that we feed and observe, we start the year learning about Monarchs. We have a butterfly garden and milkweed growing here at school but I inspect and hunt for eggs and butterfly larvae in surrounding farm fields each year. This is the first year in nearly 8 years that I'm happy to report growing numbers after witnessing a steady decline in our local Monarch population for nearly a decade. We have at least 15 Monarch caterpillars munching away on milkweed in our classroom.

While we primarily focus on studying local plants and animals, study of the four seasons and how celestial bodies like o...
08/31/2026

While we primarily focus on studying local plants and animals, study of the four seasons and how celestial bodies like our Sun and Moon create temperature shifts and the perfect conditions for life on Earth are core elements of our curriculum. In addition, my children and I have become avid eclipse chasers. I was so excited to share these images we captured of the lunar eclipse from the front porch of the school using a simple telescope with our students. As well as a demonstration with a globe, a moon model and a flashlight to represent the light of the Sun shining on the surface of the Earth showing the difference between a lunar eclipse and solar eclipse. We will revisit these subjects when we study our Solar System and Moon later this school year.

03/21/2026

Candling Eggs - Last night I candled our goose eggs and captured perhaps my best footage to date of a tiny webbed foot. These eggs are at day 17 of development. The gosling embryos will be fully developed and will begin the arduous 2-3 day hatching process at approximately day 32. I have been incubating and hatching chickens, ducks and geese for 11 years now. Candling eggs every Spring is one of my greatest joys and what a supreme delight to capture this footage on the first day of Spring.

I know I am not one for social media posts but I assure you we are busy here at farm school. Candling eggs is one of the more than 100 different activities, experiences, experiments and unique high end art projects we engage in every year at preschool. On top of that, we are focused on preparing your children for kindergarten. We might not post much, but we are busy living. And playing. With all of the little creatures down to our classroom jumping spiders. I am excited to candle these eggs with our students when we return to school next week.

These are experiences we will share with our elementary homeschool enrichment families as well. Our program will take place after regular school hours. All children will be welcome to attend whether enrolled in conventional school or homeschool. Come explore the wonder of the natural world with us.

PS I will post an additional awe inspiring video in the comments.

-Miss Sam

Barnyard Academy is hosting our annual Open House Saturday March 28th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, ...
03/13/2026

Barnyard Academy is hosting our annual Open House Saturday March 28th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, set on a mini farm in the heart of Greenbrier, offering part-time classes for children age 3-5. We are also pleased to announce that we are finally launching our homeschool enrichment program for elementary age children. Our primary teacher Samantha White holds a master's degree in childhood education and custom designed our curriculum. We are about to enter our 6th year and feel very blessed to have our vision welcomed by the community. Come visit our school, tour the farm and meet our teachers. If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can schedule a private tour during school hours. We only have a few openings for the 2026/2027 school year so we encourage visiting and applying soon.

https://www.barnyardacademy.com

After much consideration we have decided against running a Summer Camp for 2025. Summer Camp has become one of our most...
03/14/2025

After much consideration we have decided against running a Summer Camp for 2025. Summer Camp has become one of our most popular offerings but after years of use our schoolyard needs to be completely redone, redesigned and revamped. We will need to take the Summer months to re-build and prepare for the start of our school year in August. We hope you'll understand our decision and still consider us in 2026. We plan to be back with an even better program!

Miss Leah-Kate will be offering a week long camp focusing on everything a garden needs to thrive: good soil, good seeds, beneficial insects, and more. She will be offering 1-2 week long sessions (depending on interest) in the month of June and camp hours will be 8:30-11:30 AM to beat the heat. If you're interested, please don't hesitate to reach out at the following number (615) 812-2661. Miss Leah-Kate's program is very in keeping with our mission here at Barnyard Academy and a wonderful way to continue your child's nature education during the Summer months.

Barnyard Academy is hosting an Open House Saturday April 12th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, set on a...
03/07/2025

Barnyard Academy is hosting an Open House Saturday April 12th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, set on a mini farm in the heart of Greenbrier, offering part-time classes for children age 3-5. Come visit our school, tour the farm and meet our teachers. If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can schedule a private tour during school hours. Space is limited so we encourage visiting and applying for the 2025/2026 school year now.

https://www.barnyardacademy.com

Barnyard Academy is hosting an Open House Saturday April 27th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, set on a...
04/19/2024

Barnyard Academy is hosting an Open House Saturday April 27th from 10am-12pm. We are a nature-based preschool, set on a mini farm in the heart of Greenbrier, offering part-time classes for children age 3-5. Come visit our school, tour the farm and meet our teachers. If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can schedule a private tour during school hours. Space is limited so we encourage visiting and applying for the 2024/2025 school year now. We only have a few spots left in our afternoon session for Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4. All morning sessions are currently full.

https://www.barnyardacademy.com

Dear Barnyard Academy Families, it is with the saddest of hearts I write to let you know that Hank passed away this past...
03/22/2024

Dear Barnyard Academy Families, it is with the saddest of hearts I write to let you know that Hank passed away this past Saturday. Just last week we were pretending that he was the Sun in the middle of our Solar System. We would always stretch toward the middle and touch Hank before yoga. And, he was so much a part of our classroom that if he was not seen circulating for dropped food at snack time the students would ask, "Where's Hank?" Hank was universally regarded by all to be uncommonly bright, clever, loving, loyal, devoted, emotional and possessing the most striking yellow eyes.

Hank joined our family 12 years ago this May. I picked him up from a shelter drop point at as gas station. I had agreed to adopt him sight unseen knowing he was riddled with heart worms. As he sat in the car next to me, with his piercing yellow eyes and crazy hair, I thought he looked like he was part lion or wolf. And I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into. Little did I know over the course of the next 12 years he would grow into the legend he is.

Hank was a favorite amongst all 5 of my children and absolutely adored by all of our friends and family. Most importantly though, in his senior years, Barnyard Academy's most beloved mascot. Hank would patiently await the arrival of our students at the front door every day. And sometimes naughtily sneak out for a brief jaunt before coming back to rest on the circle time rug. Hank was even featured in his own book. A treasured gift from one of our school families.

Outside of school, Hank was tolerant of all of the shenanigans we get up to in our home. Whether it be a baby goat bugging him in his sleep. Or a duckling wandering the house, he never skipped a beat. When our goat Thumbelina was injured by dogs a few years ago and in distress Hank walked up to her and gently draped his paws over her side. Then he started to make fluttering sounds with his lips and vocalizations that sounded like crying. Several neighbors witnessed this and said they had never seen anything like it, and we all reckon we never will again. She later died of shock and it was clear that he was both comforting her, and grieving.

When I say he literally captured the heart of every visitor to grace our house there is no exaggeration. He was a once in a lifetime dog. And to say I am absolutely shattered is an understatement. Hank was between 14-15 years old yet had so much life left in his eyes. And he will be so very missed but most of all, by me. I'll miss looking into those eyes that once frightened me. And the intense knowing, almost human, stare that looked back at me. Hank, I love you. Love, Sam.

Attached you will find the last photo I took of Hank with one of our students. After that, chronological photos from the day I adopted him through the last 12 years. I will post one of my favorite videos of Hank in a separate post as well.

03/22/2024

One of my favorite videos of farm life with Hank featuring my daughter Gloria, Hank's canine sidekick Lola, our cat Roxy and Thumbelina running down the hill after finishing up our farm chores.

Address

6759 Greenbrier Cemetery Road
Greenbrier, TN
37073

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2:45pm
Tuesday 9am - 2:45pm
Wednesday 9am - 2:45pm
Thursday 9am - 2:45pm
Friday 9am - 2:45pm

Telephone

+16156434379

Website

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