Families on the Sunshine Coast now have a fresh and inspiring new option for middle school education. Wildwood Independent School, launching this fall on the Camp Douglas Campus in Roberts Creek, is open for enrollment for students in Grades 6 to 9. They are now offering a pair of scholarships and financial aid to help local learners join its founding year.
Middle school is often described as a “lost” time in education, but science tells us that this is a peak window of brain development. Wildwood Independent School fills a critical gap on the Sunshine Coast: it’s the only school designed specifically for the emotional and intellectual needs of 11 to 14-year-olds. By offering a program rooted in outdoor leadership, project-based learning, and social-emotional growth, they help local youth build resilience, confidence, and purpose. Small class size and great educators make it possible for their classes to go on multiple overnight trips and work on big cross curricular projects.
“Middle school is a time of enormous growth—and too often, it’s overlooked,” says Wildwood founder Katie Shindler.
At Wildwood, we see these years not as a challenge to get through, but as a powerful opportunity to shape confident, curious, and resilient young people. This school exists because we believe the Sunshine Coast deserves more options for educating young people. Not all children learn in the same way and we want to provide options for our community.”
A school rooted in the forest
Wildwood’s approach follows the BC curriculum with hands-on projects, outdoor learning, and a deep commitment to student well-being. Designed specifically for Grades 6 through 9, the school emphasizes leadership, inquiry, and environmental stewardship—helping students grow both academically and personally.
“Whether your child is a future scientist, storyteller, artist, or change maker, we want Wildwood to be a place where they feel inspired and empowered,” said Shindler.
Scholarships Now Open
To celebrate its first year as a full-time school, Wildwood is offering two types of scholarships:
- The Wildwood Roots Scholarship will support a student who demonstrates a strong sense of curiosity, creativity, and love for the natural world.
- The Wildwood Access Bursary is aimed at making tuition more accessible for families who need financial support to be part of this new educational offering.
Each scholarship can cover up to 50 per cent of tuition, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,350.
“This is about creating a community that reflects the Sunshine Coast,” says Shindler. “We want to include families who share our values but may not have been able to consider independent school an option before.”
Applications are open now, with a deadline of June 30, 2025. Full details are available at wildwoodlearning.ca/scholarships. Wildwood Independent School is now accepting applications for the 2025/26 school year. Learn more at wildwoodindependentschool.ca or follow @wildwoodlearningkids on Instagram.
