We intentionally keep our community small and close-knit.

Typically, a limited number of families join at one time so that everyone gets personalized attention and a strong sense of camaraderie. Each participating family stays in a private Natural Home, and Holss Palomino (our holistic school) maintains small class sizes. In practice, this means we host only a handful of families per session (usually on the order of single digits) – ensuring your children have an intimate learning group and you benefit from a tight community feel.

We recommend reserving early, as spaces are limited and demand is high.

This approach guarantees that all enrolled children and parents form meaningful connections during the program.

Our program is tailored for school-age children, roughly 5 to 12 years old, who can enroll in Holss Palomino’s educational activities.

The curriculum and daily rhythm at Holss are designed to engage elementary-age kids through play, nature exploration, and creative learning.

We’ve had families with children in early primary years up through pre-teens thrive in our community. If you have younger siblings (preschool age) or older teens, let us know – we handle these on a case-by-case basis.

Often, younger children can participate in informal playgroups (with parental supervision or a local nanny), and teens might take on more independent projects or online studies while enjoying the community setting.

In all cases, the entire family is welcome in our broader community events and adventures, even if the structured school program targets a specific age range.

We strive to be inclusive and understand that every child learns differently. Our small student-to-teacher ratio allows for more individual attention than a traditional school, which can benefit many children with unique learning needs.

That said, we are a holistic micro-school rather than a specialized special-needs institution. We encourage parents to discuss their child’s specific challenges with us in advance. In many cases, mild learning differences (like ADHD or mild dyslexia) can be supported through our flexible, nature-based approach – for example, by providing more hands-on activities or sensory breaks. Our educators are compassionate and willing to collaborate on strategies that help each child thrive.

However, for certain disabilities that require dedicated one-on-one aides or specialized therapy, we want to be transparent that our small team may not have the expertise or resources for intensive accommodations.

We’ll assess on a case-by-case basis: if we feel we can meet your child’s needs, we gladly will; if not, we’ll be honest and might suggest local therapists or resources in Palomino to supplement the experience. Your child’s wellbeing is our priority, so open communication is key.

Absolutely. While children are engaged at Holss Palomino during the day, parents have ample opportunities to enrich their own experience.

Many of our families are remote workers or creatives – to support them, our private homes come with reliable internet (some even with Starlink broadband for high-speed connectivity, dedicated work spaces, and comfortable environments for remote work or personal projects. Beyond work, Palomino offers a wealth of adult-friendly activities: for instance, you can join yoga classes, meditation sessions, or utilize local wellness centers for massages and holistic therapies. Our community often self-organizes adult meet-ups too – think morning surf outings for parents, group hikes in the Sierra Nevada foothills, or simply gathering at a local café for conversation.

We also provide NAM Host support: a local host on our team is available to connect you with activities like Spanish language lessons, volunteering opportunities in the village, or day trips to cultural sites.

In short, while the kids learn and play, parents can pursue personal growth, work, or relaxation. There’s a balance between family time and adult time, so you come away recharged and fulfilled as well.