Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School - Mountain School

Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School - Mountain School Affectionately known as Mountain School, our parent co-op preschool has been around for over 50 year An Assistant Teacher helps with the daytime program.

Welcome to Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School, more affectionately known as Mountain School. Our school in the woods is a preschool where parents are the students and children come to play. We offer a unique school experience that integrates an outdoor program in a natural setting with a more traditional indoor program in a charming old schoolhouse. The school has been a place of learning for teachers, parents and children since 1956. Many 'alumni' return to share the school with their children and to develop and refine their own parenting skills. There are seven different classes in the school catering to children ages 2-5 years. Each class has a credentialed Head Teacher who is responsible for the daytime program, observation notes, communication with parents and evening meetings. A Special Materials Teacher is included in the program for the three, four and five year old classes who works with individuals or small groups of children and uses a variety of manipulative materials to introduce and reinforce basic concepts and skills. All Head Teachers are CPR/First Aid certified. The child/teacher ratio is six to one. Most of the teachers have been parents in the school with their own children. They believe that parent education is important and they have a long-standing commitment to the school and its philosophy.

09/15/2026
09/13/2026

It’s finally here!! We’re so happy to welcome our new and returning families to Mountain School. Here are some tips and tricks from our Mountain School Teachers (many who were parents here too!) to get you geared up and ready to roll!

Can’t wait to see you all on the mountain ⛰️

08/20/2026

A huge welcome and thank you to all our new families for the 2026-27 school year! We can’t wait for you to experience the amazing staff, schoolyard, field trips, and most importantly, your new forest family 🌲

forestschoolbayarea

05/12/2026

No walls.
No screens.
Just slower mornings, muddy boots, creek water, curiosity, movement, and meaningful learning rooted in the natural world 🌿
🌲Welcome to Mountain School ⛰️

05/08/2026

It is not easy for children to understand concepts like life and death. Honestly, it is something even adults struggle with. And yet at Mountain School we gently created space for children to experience and process loss. We do not hide or mask the experience. We speak openly about it, and hope that they will understood in their own unique ways. Teaching of cells, birth, growth, and death — the very cycle of life itself. We witness a beginning for the children, the beginning of understanding a fundamental truth of our world and our connections to everything in it.

04/23/2026

Don’t miss this celebration!! Mountain Schools 70th anniversary is going to be amazing. Grab your tickets today and join us for games, food, music and dancing!

📆 Sunday, May 3rd

🕛 11:00 AM

📍19601 Black Road Los Gatos

04/03/2026

Mixing chalk with rainwater, fort painting, experimenting, collaborating, problem-solving—this is what learning looks like outside. 🌧️🎨🌿

PlayIsLearning EarlyChildhoodEducation RaisingCuriousKids LetThemPlay MessyPlay ForestSchool KidsOutdoors

Address

19601 Black Road
Los Gatos, CA
95033

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School - Mountain School posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category