Enroll in Young Pioneers

Enrollment Process

Step 1: Farm Tour

Schedule and attend a farm tour to experience the environment and learn about the program.

Fill out this form to book a tour

Step 2: Follow-Up & Enrollment Offer

After your visit, you’ll receive an email with available openings, program details, the school calendar, tuition information, and a link to register.

Step 3: Registration & Orientation

Complete the registration form to secure your child’s spot. Once enrolled, you’ll receive details for the upcoming orientation.

Day Options / Program Hours

We offer Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the program runs from 8:30-11:30 (3hr) or 12:30 (4hr)

Our class sizes have a maximum of 12 kids

Tuition

3-Hour Day Rates

  • 1 day/week: Fall $1,028 | Spring $1,285

  • 2 days/week: Fall $2,056 | Spring $2,570

  • 3 days/week: Fall $3,024 | Spring $3,780

  • 4 days/week: Fall $4,032 | Spring $5,040

4-Hour Day Rates

  • 1 day/week: Fall $1,228 | Spring $1,535

  • 2 days/week: Fall $2,456 | Spring $3,070

  • 3 days/week: Fall $3,624 | Spring $4,530

  • 4 days/week: Fall $4,832 | Spring $6,040

(Spring rates are higher than Fall due to the extra month in the semester)

Payment Plans

Monthly payments are the default payment plan.

Fall semester is Sep-Dec and Spring semester is Jan-May..

5% discount available if paid in full by Zelle, cash or check.

Charter Funds: Please contact us if you’d like to use charter funds for your child. Pre-registration and acceptance is required.

Get Started
Get Started

Parent Testimonials

“It has been a true pleasure to find Sand n Straw and the Young Pioneers program has been such a blessing for our family. We love it and really appreciate your hearts for the community.”

— Trujillo Family

“We’ve had our kids at young Pioneers since its first session in January 2021. It’s been so fun to see it grow over these years and beautiful to see this farm respond to a need in this community. My daughter started at almost 3 and has always come home happy, a little dirty and with things to share about what she learned. They are outside all morning gaining valuable social, physical and nature skills and knowledge. Even in the last few months as she has been a little sad at drop off (because we’re expecting her little sibling any day) I don’t hesitate to leave her with April or her teacher, Jen, because I know she is in good, caring hands. What more could a mama want??”

— Vance Family

“My child LOVES "farm school" (as we call it :)  - and has been attending for over a year! April and Farmer Rich have set up a fantastic program for kids to explore and learn while out in nature. It's always a fun, engaging and educational morning spent on the farm. My child has made many farm friends, is known and greeted by name by all the wonderful farm school staff, and as a bonus, my kid has tried tons more fruits and veggies than ever before. I wholeheartedly recommend!”

— Lori G.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Students are grouped by age (about 10 per group), rotate through multiple outdoor stations each day (Nature, Garden, Art & Science, Music, etc.), and have snack/meal + recess time. Learning blends sensory play, experiments, gardening, cooking, music, and exploration

  • Tuition is charged by semester with different rates based on number of days and hours. A 5% discount is available if paid in full by cash/check/Zelle. Charter funds may be used with pre-registration and acceptance

  • We enroll all year round but spots are limited based on age. We have 3 semesters: Fall, Spring and Summer as well as Summer Camps from June-August.

  • You can reach the Young Pioneers team via phone or email (hello@sandnstraw.com, 760-575-4758) or by submitting inquiries through the Contact page

  • Because most students stay from fall through spring and spots fill early, the waitlist notifies families when openings become available. Please contact us via our contact page to get more info.

  • Yes — there’s a community page with parent login (ProCare), social events, playdates, and a Facebook group for connecting with other families and staying updated.

  • We accept PCA, MVA, CPA, SoCal, Suncoast, Elite and Sage Oak

  • Schools such as PCA, CPA, MVA, and SoCal use a portal that allows families to request funds by semester.

    Elite, Sage Oak, and Suncoast also use a portal; however, these schools only allow funding requests on a month-by-month basis.

    After an order is placed through your charter school, a certificate is issued and sent to us. Certificates must be submitted no later than the 25th of the month prior to the start of services. For the fall term, the deadline is August 25, and for the spring term, the deadline is December 25. Monthly requests are likewise due by the 25th of the month prior to service.

  • When spots become available in the program, we contact families on the interest list and offer tours for a fee of $25 per family.

    The $25 tour fee is nonrefundable and temporarily reserves your spot until 48 hours after the tour. Tours take place on our 6-acre farm and involve a fair amount of walking, so please plan accordingly. We ask that you bring the child you hope to enroll so we can meet them and ensure the program is a good fit.