ThinkerStudio

08/13/2026

Are you looking for a middle school experience that actually engages your child?

The 6th–8th grade years are a crucial time for students to develop independence and critical thinking, but traditional models often leave them sitting passively at a desk. At ThinkerStudio, we flip the script.

We have a few spots left in our 6th–8th grade Day School cohort for this academic year, and we are looking for learners ready to take ownership of their education!

Instead of focusing on standardized testing, our learner-centered environment prioritizes durable skills, collaboration, and real-world application. Here is what middle school looks like in our studio:

💡 Hands-on STEAM: Diving deep into the mechanics of kinetic and potential energy, engineering design, and renewable energy solutions.
🌿 Environmental Civic Science: Stepping outside to use our natural pond and certified wildlife habitat as a living laboratory for ecology and sustainability.
🤝 Real Agency: Co-authoring their own learning pathways and building cooperative community skills in a space where they are truly seen and heard.

If your 6th, 7th, or 8th grader thrives on active inquiry, project-based learning, and a supportive, restorative environment, ThinkerStudio might be their perfect fit.

Space is very limited as we head into the new school year! Send us a message or visit https://www.lbcschools.org/thinkerstudio to learn more about our enrollment process and schedule a time to see the studio.

We are registering for the 2026-2027 School Year! Apply Now Where children’s natural curiosity is nurtured through our evidence-based model. ThinkerStudio is the culmination of a decade-long journey into the heart of childhood discovery. Operating as a permanent site within the Learning Blueprint ...

08/09/2026

Friendly Reminder: Our Tuition Assistance Deadline is almost here!

Finding the right educational fit for your child is a big decision, and we are here to help make it a reality. The deadline to apply for ThinkerStudio's Family Tuition Assistance Program closes on Wednesday, August 12.

If you are looking for a learner-centered environment that trades high-stakes testing for learner portfolios, hands-on engineering, and real-world ecological exploration, we would love to welcome your family.

Call to Action:
Applications close on Wednesday, August 12. Don't wait—head to the link below to review the requirements and submit your family's application today!

https://forms.gle/PoXU7HLF5WyrQ6MV6

08/09/2026

At ThinkerStudio, we’ve always believed that learning shouldn't be confined to a textbook or four walls. For a long time, we’ve focused deeply on biodiversity, soil health, conservation, and the vital importance of native wildlife gardens right here on our property—proving that even a small space can become a thriving, living ecosystem.

But this year, we are ready to take our learning a step further.

We are moving outside of ThinkerStudio to see how we can make a direct, tangible difference in our broader community. We are embarking on a journey of civic science.

What is civic science? Simply put, it is our duty as community members and active citizens to care for and protect our local environment. It’s about recognizing that science isn't just something you read about in a lab; it is a tool we use to understand, heal, and improve the world around us.

This year, our students won't just be studying environmental challenges—they will be asking big questions, investigating real-world problems in our community, and figuring out how they can be part of the solution.

Whether it's water management, ecological restoration, or habitat creation, we want our students to experience the profound power of taking action. Because the best way to prepare children for the future isn't by asking them to memorize the world—it’s by giving them the tools to make it better.

We can’t wait to share where this journey takes us and the projects our students will pioneer this year. Stay tuned!

What is one environmental issue in our local community that you think deserves more attention? We’d love to hear your ideas!

08/08/2026

Did you know ThinkerStudio is offering both a 4-day program and homeschool program?
4-Day Program (Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Kinder-8th grade) $8,000/year: Our primary program for Kinder-8th grade is designed to your creative thinker and designer in mind. This pathway focuses on inquiry-based mastery, integrated literacy, and daily time in our maker studio. With a focus on sustainability, students will be involved in civic science and helping to solve real problems in our community.
Homeschool Programming:
Writing Workshop (Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Recommended Ages 12+) $240/8-week session: An expressive writing track focusing on storytelling, poetry, digital newsletters, and technical project reporting.
STEAM Workshop (Thursdays, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Recommended Ages 5-11) $280/8-week session: A hands-on design and fabrication studio exploring science, technology, enginering, art and math through creative projects.
Creative Open Studio (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Open to All Grades) $320/8-week session: A hands-on design and fabrication track exploring cardboard engineering, circuitry, stop-motion, and physics.
For more info, check out: https://www.lbcschools.org/thinkerstudio or email [email protected]

08/04/2026

Fun family event coming up in September!

https://www.astronomyday.net/

08/03/2026

Did you know ThinkerStudio is offering both a 4-day program and homeschool program?

4-Day Program (Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Kinder-8th grade) $8,000/year: Our primary program for Kinder-8th grade is designed to your creative thinker and designer in mind. This pathway focuses on inquiry-based mastery, integrated literacy, and daily time in our maker studio. With a focus on sustainability, students will be involved in civic science and helping to solve real problems in our community.

Homeschool Programming:
Writing Workshop (Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Recommended Ages 12+) $240/8-week session: An expressive writing track focusing on storytelling, poetry, digital newsletters, and technical project reporting.

STEAM Workshop (Thursdays, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Recommended Ages 5-11) $280/8-week session: A hands-on design and fabrication studio exploring science, technology, enginering, art and math through creative projects.

Creative Open Studio (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Open to All Grades) $320/8-week session: A hands-on design and fabrication track exploring cardboard engineering, circuitry, stop-motion, and physics.

For more info, check out: https://www.lbcschools.org/thinkerstudio or email [email protected]

We are registering for the 2026-2027 School Year! Apply Now Where children’s natural curiosity is nurtured through our evidence-based model. ThinkerStudio is the culmination of a decade-long journey into the heart of childhood discovery. Operating as a permanent site within the Learning Blueprint ...

07/20/2026

Find Your Voice, Shape Your Story: Writer’s Workshop at ThinkerStudio

Words have the power to build worlds, question assumptions, and spark change. But finding the dedicated space and time to craft them can be tough.

This season, we are offering our immersive Writer's Workshop at ThinkerStudio. This is an expressive writing track designed to help older youth find their distinct creative voice and communicate with absolute clarity. Students will explore real-world writing modes—tackling a fresh, meaningful medium each block, including narrative storytelling, poetry, technical project reporting, and collaborative contributions to our monthly digital community newsletter.

Recommended Ages: 12+

Time: Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cost: $240 per 8-week block (First block begins August 28, 2026)

The Experience: Small-cohort, collaborative feedback circles, dynamic writing prompts, and dedicated time to refine each writer's unique voice.

Space is intentionally limited to an intimate cohort size of 10 students to ensure every writer gets personalized mentorship and deep engagement.

Ready to put pen to paper and join our creative village?

👉 Secure your spot today by filling out our Intent to Enroll form here: https://www.lbcschools.org/admissions

07/18/2026

I’ve been tracking the upcoming Wildwood film by LAIKA for a while now, and it’s honestly one of the most exciting examples of what’s possible when we blend storytelling with artistic mastery. If you haven't seen the studio's work before, they are the gold standard for stop-motion animation—a medium that feels like pure magic.

As an educator, I love stop-motion because it is the ultimate integrated experience. It isn't just one subject; it’s a beautiful mix of art, creative writing, technology, physics, and even engineering, all working together to bring a vision to life.

It is a medium that is truly accessible to students of all abilities, teaching them the art of attention. It requires patience, technical problem-solving, and a deep, creative narrative sense.

This is exactly why I’ve decided to make Wildwood our first book study of the year at ThinkerStudio. We’ll be diving into the story itself, but we’ll also be heading into the studio to master the process of stop-motion. We’re going to be building sets, developing our own narratives, and learning how to translate a story from the page into a frame-by-frame reality.

I’ve picked up the book in bookstores so many times, always knowing it would eventually be the right anchor for our work—and this year is finally it.

I can’t wait to see the stories our students create. It’s going to be a term filled with construction, composition, and a whole lot of imagination.

Have you ever tried your hand at stop-motion animation? It’s a labor of love, but there is absolutely nothing like seeing a scene finally come to life!

Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA is an award-winning feature film animation studio known for films like Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.

07/18/2026

At ThinkerStudio, we believe that learning is a beautiful, lifelong adventure.

We are a multi-age (K–8) independent learning program designed to nurture the curious, the creative, and the young minds who are ready to engage deeply with the world around them.

Here is a look at what we prioritize every single day:

Real-World Immersive Learning
We believe the world is our greatest classroom. From hands-on projects to community-based exploration, our students learn by actively doing. We give them the freedom to ask deep questions, investigate complex ideas, and discover the vibrant connections between history, science, and art in real time.

The Art of Attention
We honor the power of deep work. In a fast-paced world, we intentionally carve out the time and space for sustained inquiry. Our students have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in a subject, follow their natural interests, and experience the joy of true mastery.

Developmental Pacing
We celebrate the individual journey of every child. We honor the natural developmental timeline of learning, trusting that when we cultivate a rich environment and a genuine love for discovery, academic growth unfolds beautifully and at each child’s own perfect pace.

A Collaborative, Multi-Age Community
We thrive in connection. Our hybrid, multi-age setting allows children to collaborate, mentor one another, and build meaningful relationships across age groups. We view our educators as mentors who walk alongside each family, fostering a supportive space where every child is truly seen and valued.

As we move forward with our transition into a formal non-profit organization this year, we are so excited to expand our community and welcome new, mission-aligned families.

If you are looking for a learning space that centers creativity, critical thinking, and your child's unique potential, we would love to welcome you into the ThinkerStudio family.

Visit our website to explore our philosophy, learn about our programs, and connect with us for the upcoming school year: https://www.lbcschools.org/thinkerstudio

07/10/2026

Hi ThinkerStudio community!

We just finished our last summer camp this week with Creative Writing and STEAM, and we are now transitioning to prepping for the 2026-2027 school year with our new Day School program and Friday Creative Open Studio and Writer's Workshop classes.

Our Friday Creative Open Studio is just about full, but we still have spots open in our Day School program (K-8th) and our Friday Writer's Workshop class (12+ years).

For more info: