North Central Co-op (Winnetka)

Oak Leaf Cooperative School’s North Central Co-op offers the Oak Leaf Forest School, a mixed-age drop-off program for 3-6 year olds run by an experienced educator, Elizabeth Kelly with help from parents! This program is located at Crow Island Woods in Winnetka. There is also an informal nature playgroup coordinated by a parent volunteer. For more information, visit individual program tabs.

Elizabeth Kelly, Chair/Teacher, Oak Leaf Forest School

Elizabeth Kelly has been working with children and families for more than 25 years. She grew up in Ann Arbor , MI  playing in the woods and doing lots of theater, and has a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Michigan. She lived for many years in Chicago, doing theater and raising a family.

Her own three children brought her to Waldorf education, and were Waldorf educated from early childhood through high school. She holds a Waldorf teaching certificate from Arcturus, and is certified in early childhood care and teaching by Lifeways. She has taught parent-child classes, special subjects (including music), early childhood (including mixed-age kindergarten classes)  and before- and aftercare.

In her spare time she enjoys spinning, knitting, sewing, and toymaking; reading and  learning about history, culture, and human development (including some graduate-level course work in pre- and perinatal psychology;) making and listening to music; hiking and camping; and doing puppetry, storytelling and theater.

Oak Leaf Cooperative Schools does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of students and volunteers, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, and volunteers.

Contact Us at director@oakleafcooperativeschools.org