Who is River Gorge Forest School
It all started as a couple of parents with a dream…
River Gorge Forest School was born from a shared vision held by three women - Susie Grant, Susanna Dodson, and Lindsey Miller. Each of us saw a pressing need in the Chattanooga area for a different kind of learning environment. Drawing from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we came together around a common belief: that children thrive when they are deeply connected to nature and given the freedom to learn through exploration.
In a time when childhood is increasingly spent indoors and structured learning often prioritizes test scores over curiosity, we recognized the importance of offering something more holistic and grounding. We saw how limited access to unstructured outdoor play and real-world learning opportunities was affecting the well-being, creativity, and resilience of children.
We created River Gorge Forest School during the height of the pandemic and it quickly became a place where children could be immersed in the rhythms of the natural world, where learning is hands-on, inquiry-driven, and rooted in place. Set in the lush and biodiverse landscapes surrounding the Tennessee River Gorge, the school offers a rich, ever-changing outdoor classroom that fosters curiosity, confidence, and a deep respect for the environment.
More than just a school, River Gorge Forest School is a movement toward reclaiming childhood, honoring the wisdom of nature, and nurturing future stewards of the earth. It was founded with the hope that by learning with the land—not just about it—children would grow into empathetic, capable, and grounded individuals ready to meet the world with wonder and care.
Miller-Boruff family celebrating the arrival of fall. Lindsey Miller is a co-founder of RGFS
The Dodson family enjoying rafting adventures in West Virginia. Susanna Dodson is a co-founder of RGFS
Grant family - Susie Grant leads our teaching staff and is a co-founder of RGFS
Our School
The school is located in the Tennessee River Gorge on a privately owned mountain-side property that is surrounded by Prentice Cooper State Forest. This unique natural landscape in Chattanooga provides an ideal backdrop for forest exploration.
We are excited to offer outdoor preschool through third grade for children ages 3 - 9 for the 20 school year.
Core Objectives of River Gorge Forest School
Provide young children the space to develop their fullest potential
Empower students in all activities to be child-initiated and child-led, with adults acting as facilitators
Provide individual attention with small teacher-child ratios
Develop children’s respect for nature, for one another, and for themselves
Enable children to work collaboratively in creating, problem-solving, and supporting one another
Encourage healthy choices and habits
Facilitate children’s risk-taking, made as safe as is reasonably possible
Increase motivation, self-esteem, and concentration
Develop respect for the natural world and also respect for its dangers
Stimulate children’s innate curiosity by being close to nature
Encourage family involvement in nature-related learning at their homes