Enroll in Young Pioneers

Enrollment Information

Enrollment for this spring will continue until Mid march. In April, we will start to reach out to families regarding Fall 2026-Spring 2027!

Families who wish to be considered for any openings that may become available are encouraged to join our interest list. If a spot opens, we will contact families in the order they joined.

Farm School Schedule

Day options are dependent on what openings we currently have.

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

Join Interest List

Already Joined the Interest List?

Once enrollment opens we will reach out to those on this list and if you are interested, you can tour the farm and move forward in the process! Feel free to come by the farm during our Farm Stand hours. Our teachers are not around during this time but it is a good opportunity to get the kids comfortable with the space beforehand!

You are welcome to reach out to hello@sandnstraw.com and we are happy to answer any questions you have.

Contact Us

Tuition

3-Hour Day Semester 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 Semester 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.

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.