FAQs |GENERAL PROGRAM LOGISTICS

Can we observe a Sienna Ranch program or do a class trial before we register?

We are happy to host you and your prospective student(s) for a ~20 minute site tour. We can try to schedule it during the class time in which you are interested in enrolling if the schedule allows, but we do not offer drop-in trial days. Tours include a general walk around the property to view our core curriculum and play areas as well as general meeting zones. Thanks for letting your students know that tours do not include animal interaction time or any hiking during your tour. To arrange a tour, please call or email the office at [email protected].

Do you offer an orientation day for students to meet their teacher before the school year begins?

If your student is feeling nervous about the first day, we recommend setting up a tour (see above). While we don’t have time to introduce students and instructors in person before the start of the year, we provide biographies of each of our staff on the website. This allows students to familiarize themselves with the staff before meeting them on the first day. Teaching assignments are not available until 1 week prior to the start of the programs.

For our PreK-K groups, parents/guardians can escort their students to their class circle and meet the instructor on the first day. If your student is in an older group or coming through drive-through and you need to speak with an instructor, please check in with the drive-through administrator, who will accommodate your request. If needed, you can also email the office for assistance.

What sort of interactions will I get to have with my student’s instructor?

For groups doing walk-in pick-up and drop-off, you can expect to see your child’s instructor at the start and end of class. Feel free to say hello and chat for a minute or two while your child settles in. Since Sienna Ranch runs multiple classes each day, instructors only have about five minutes to check in with parents at the end of each class before moving on to their next obligation. Therefore, if you wish to have a longer conversation, please call or email the office to set up a meeting outside regular class time.

If your child uses the drive-through drop-off, we recommend calling the office to arrange a time to speak with the instructor. For urgent concerns, if your instructor is unavailable, please stop by the red shipping container office to speak with Sarah the Business Manager. She can answer your question or help the instructor find time to speak with you.

Where should I park?

Sienna Ranch shares the parking lot with the ILM Tree Homeschool Co-op during the school year, so we ask that you make sure to park in a spot designated for Sienna Ranch spots only. Cars parked in ILM Tree spots are subject to towing so make sure to check the signs! If you have concerns about parking, please let our office/administrative team know.

What should I expect for the first day at drop-off?

We offer many different programs, from caretaker and child classes, to drop off nature, woodshop, pottery, archery, riding lessons, and cooking classes. Check your registration confirmation emails for details about the pick up and drop off procedures. Please note that parents/guardians are required to supervise children until drop off time starts, we do not permit early drop offs or leaving children unattended in waiting areas prior to the start of programs. 

During the drop off window you will arrive via walk-in or drive through where you will be greeted by an administrator for check in. We will verify the following:

• Student Name
• Emergency contact phone number
• That student has the required gear for the day (seasonally appropriate clothing, close-toed shoes, water bottle, and lunch/snack)
• Review any medications or health history notes: please confirm any health history notes and identify location of any medication, epipens, or other health supplies located in your camper backpack. If you require a detailed overview of your child’ health history with the instructor please send an email to [email protected] prior to the start of your program so we can make sure to schedule time to go over your students’ details with our team.  (See additional information about health history/ medication requirements below).

After check in details are confirmed, parents/guardians will receive a student card for your student. Student cards identify which drop off location your child will be going to and is required for drop off and pick up each day of a program. Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping their student card for the duration of the program. 

What should I expect for the first day at pickup?

For walk-in classes park in designated Sienna ranch parking spaces and walk up to the main entrance by the rainbow gate. Please plan on getting out of the car so that you can escort your student(s) from the gate back to the car. There will be many cars and people coming/going at the same time. Thank you for your help keeping students safe! We ask that siblings wait with their parent/guardian outside the gate if there is another sibling en route for checkout.

For drive-through: wait in the drive through lane by the gate at the far right of the parking lot. Once the drive though opens please have your student card displayed on your dashboard. 

If my child wants me to stay with their group for the day, am I allowed?

Parents/Guardians are always welcome to remain on site during the program in the parking lot or family waiting area (the benches outside the front gate). Once a group transitions to their opening circle, we ask that parent/guardians separate from the group at that time and say goodbye to their students. For those who need extra support we are happy for you to bring your child with you to the Family Waiting area for an extra hug or talk. We have chosen a drop-off style program for the majority of our classes in order to give students the chance to bond more closely with our staff (and to keep group sizes small.) We ask for your help explaining to your student that you are never more than a phone call away and that you will see them soon but that they get to have this adventure away from you. (Exceptions are made for students with one-on-one aides assigned with specific behavioral or medical duties.)

My child has special medical needs/allergies or other specialty dietary requirements. What do I need to know?

Please make sure that details about your students medical needs/allergies or other specialty dietary requirements are in your Active registration profile. This information is essential for our emergency contact information. 

Students who have medications, inhalers, EpiPens, etc are required to carry their medications with them throughout the day in their backpacks. If you would prefer to have the instructor carry them, please make sure they are in a clearly labeled ziploc bag with your students name and emergency phone number written on it. Instructors who carry medications for students will return medications back to the student at end of day during pick up.

At Sienna Ranch, it is our policy that students must be able to self-administer their own medications. In the event a student needs to take medication during the school day, a phone call confirmation from parents is required unless prior arrangements have been made with our administrative team. It is essential that students can take their medication independently.

Please note that in the event of an allergy, Sienna Ranch instructors are trained and will administer an EpiPen if necessary. If your student has any particular medical requirements please schedule a check in call with our administration team prior to the start of your program. 

Medical tasks: Our staff is trained to provide support and ensure the safety of all students, but specific medical tasks such as blood glucose monitoring must be managed by the students themselves. If you have concerns or need to discuss accommodations, please contact our administrative team to make arrangements.

What is expected of my child for a drop off program?

Students who get dropped off for programs are expected to be independent using the restroom, willing to have fun, follow Sienna Ranch safety rules, as well as be prepared with whatever gear is needed to keep them safe in their program. Students who are dropped off without food, water bottles, gear like rain jackets or appropriate footwear, may be asked to wait at the office while parents/guardians bring essential items to the ranch for safe participation. If you have concerns about where to source gear, please let us know ahead of time. We’re happy to offer advice or answers to your questions.

Sienna Ranch students be able to follow our core ranch rules:

1. Stay with the group
2. Wait at the Gate
3. Have respect (ourselves, others, animals, and the environment)
4. Have fun

Our goal is to offer a safe and fun program experience for everyone. Students must be able to follow these core 4 rules in order to participate in the Sienna Ranch program. If you have concerts about our rules and class requirements please feel free to contact [email protected]. 

FAQs |SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION

When does School Year registration open online?

We usually open school year registration in May the year before the program starts (for example for 2024-2025 programming we opened registration in May of 2024).We strive to offer families the chance to preview the options for the fall with a few weeks notice so that there is plenty of time to call/email the office before registration opens to get assistance making your family account, deciphering class options or payment methods. The best way to be kept up-to-date about enrollment is to subscribe to our email newsletter, since that is the tool we use to contact prospective families about registration.

How old does my child need to be to attend Sienna Ranch?

School Year Classes and Camps are grade-based, so you choose any program that suits the grade level of your student that year. For our youngest ranchers, we do offer one program for 3 & 4 year-olds with their caregivers. 

For all drop off programs students must be 4 by the start of the Session 1 program (September 1st for 2024-2025 School Year). 

For the Ranch Play program (3 and 4 year olds and caregiver) they must be 3 by the start of the class.

We rely on families to accurately report student grades. Please let us know if you would like help choosing which grade level to assign your student. We will automatically graduate your student at the end of the school year.

How do I make sure my student is in the same group with their friend/buddy?

It is up to individual families to enroll their friends/buddies in the same class/time at the time of registration. Please make sure to double check your class name as there are often multiple classes with the same age range occurring simultaneously.

NOTE ON GRADE DIFFERENCES: If you wish for an older and younger student to be together, you are welcome to enroll the older student into the younger program. Please do not enroll younger students in older programs without a written age exception from the office.

For class periods with multiple sections, make sure to communicate with friends about which class you are choosing (the title of the class will say either Class #1 or Class #2). Thanks for your understanding, that the office cannot guarantee there will be space to rearrange students once class rosters are set.

Which classes tend to fill quickly?

From year to year it differs but our specialty classes like archery, foodie farmers, critters and clay (pottery),  and woodshop fill up quickly as well as our K-2nd grade programs.Register early by enrolling online when program goes live. Interested in multiple sessions? You can sign up for all the sessions and use the payment plan option at check out to just put down a deposit of 15% for each session rather than paying in full. Once the session starts the remaining amount will be charged to the card on file.

Why do I need to make a deposit with my credit card now if I’m planning to use charter funds?

Sienna Ranch requires a deposit so that we have a means of collecting tuition due, should your charter school choose not to cover program or to only cover part of your tuition. It also holds your spot if your funds are not available to use yet. Please note: refunding a credit card does incur a 5% non-refundable processing fee.

FAQs | ENROLLMENT LOGISTICS

If I purchase a spot for my child and they do not like the class, may I have a refund?

We do not offer refunds once programs are underway. If your child does not like a program, our hope is that you communicate any concerns to the office (as well as any ideas for what could make the situation better) and give us the chance to work with your student to help them feel safe, supported and heard. After collaborating, if the student does not wish to remain in the class we will explore options to transfer to another program the same session that does suit that student’s interest (space-dependent). For more information see our refund, transfer, and credit policies for school year and camp programs. 

What are your student-to-teacher ratios?

• PreK-Kindergarten group classes usually have a 8:1 student to teacher ratio.
• 1st grade and up their class size increases to 10:1.
• Nature Sage program has a 11:1 ratio when it is at capacity.

WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY LOOK LIKE?

Ranch Play

Children and their caretaker spend the hour an a half watering the garden and looking at the worms, visiting an animal each week, doing a craft, and reading a story. Crafts and projects are different each week of the school year, so you’re welcome to sign up for one session or all four, especially if you’re excited to see the change of seasons at the ranch. Expect to wear rain jackets and boots in the winter, adventures go on rain or shine!NOTE: Ranch Play is a one year curriculum. You’re welcome to take it two years in a row, but students who participate in Ranch Play as 3 year-olds often choose to come for the drop off program, Junior Ranchers, their second school year at Sienna Ranch.

Junior Ranchers

Junior Ranchers will meet at their circle and engage in an arrival activity. All classes start with a gratitude circle and share the rules and or nature news. Our activities for this class include organized group nature games, nature based crafts, stories, naturalist skills, animal visits, and unstructured nature free play.One hallmark of the nature program is space for instructors to encourage students to take advantage of unstructured nature play and empowerment to be in charge of one’s own body, words, belongings and curiosity. With supervision and safe boundaries, we get excited about following student interests, sometimes leading a group to the buckeye tree, up into the lookout tower or over to the swamp to search for wild plums. We hope that when you ask your student what they did at Junior Ranchers that they say something like, ‘WE PLAYED!’ since that is one of the main curricular goals of this program.

NOTE: We have a 3-year curriculum for Junior Ranchers, so while there may be annual or seasonal traditions students are familiarized with year after year, projects and take home items are different between Year 1, 2, and 3.

Explorers

Explorers classes get dropped off through the drive through. Once at their circle they will engage in an arrival activity. All classes start with a gratitude circle and share the rules and or nature news. Our activities for this class include organized group nature games, nature based crafts, stories, naturalist skills, animal visits, and unstructured nature free play. Each session there is a different theme for the curriculum and all those activities surround the theme. Curriculum is only loosely set, so each instructor (and each week) will be full of teachable moments based on student discoveries.NOTE: Sienna Ranch has a 3-year curriculum for Explorers, so students can continue with our program and ‘graduate’ to an older age bracket (experiencing unique projects that are age-appropriate) by the time curriculum spirals back to a topic they’ve already experienced. We strive to offer at least one of these unique projects so that students have something to look forward to as they age through our program.

Explorers can expect a number of seasonal traditions to repeat annually, including the fall acorn harvest, trade blanket and our winter feast. These highlights, mixed with different quarterly themes, help students learn a homesteading, survival and animal-themed skill each session.

Nature Sages

The Nature Sage class also follows a theme for the session. Sages might join in a group game with the other groups and can model sportsmanship to younger students who naturally look up to these teens as peer leaders.Nature Sages will spend their class time focusing on a project for the day that is likely to be homesteading or survival-themed. Nature Sages should expect to do tasks that are more nuanced and challenging than what younger Explorers accomplish. For example, one project may take 3-6 weeks to complete in Nature Sages (whereas younger Explorers projects usually only take 1-2 weeks to complete). Students are encouraged to embrace the challenges of more demanding project work and to seek their own solutions, although assistance from instructors is always available for those who need it.

Each week will likely also include exploration time which may be structured as group teambuilding or just a fun hike. Students should be comfortable hiking on uneven terrain 1-2 miles with a small backpack carrying their lunch and should be ready to be outside the full class period, rain or shine.

NOTE: Nature Sages has a 3-year structure intended for 7th-9th graders. Take home projects may vary year to year.

Woodshop Wonders

Woodshop classes will include a variety of hand-build take home projects and an increased body awareness with exposure to hand tools like hammers, files, hand drills, sanding blocks, clamps, screws, nails and paints. There may be occasional days that include ‘free build’, but most weeks will have guided activities meant to focus on different hand tool techniques (hammering, sawing, etc.)NOTE: Woodshop programming is new each week, as instructors strive to offer fresh projects for students who return session after session. If you take part in multiple years of woodshop you might repeat a project or two, but for the most part we’re able to mix things up and give new students the support they need their first few weeks of class while challenging returning students to do more advanced work.

Archery Adventures

Group archery programs are designed for students who are in 3rd grade and up. Archery students are taught bow and arrow safety and then get to spend time practicing shooting on the range. We play archery themed games and might do a craft or two throughout the session. We will take breaks during the class to eat a snack or play a game so our shooting arms can rest.

Critters and Clay

Shaded from both rain or direct sunshine, students have all the essentials provided to do hand-building with clay to make, sculptures, wind chimes and so much more!While we do not have wheels for throwing pottery, hand building allows students to experiment with texture and slip/score technique to create unique, beautiful art. Our pottery instructor starts each session with a clay exploration activity. All our projects are nature inspired. The pottery classes will take breaks and play games as well as visit the animals.

Foodie Farmers

Our Foodie Farmers class spends their time learning about where our food comes from and creating delicious recipes. The foodie farmers class starts off each week with a recipe of the day sheet they get to color and will add to a cookbook for the session. The class then spends time taking care of the garden as well as making a recipe. They will learn safe cooking practices. If you have food allergies we recommend signing up for one of our other classes as this class does not have substitute recipes for allergies.

Trail Ramblers

Trail Ramblers is our more challenging active movement class. Most of the class is spent off site hiking in Briones and practicing safe hiking practices. Right after drop off they will make sure their waters are full and will head off site to different locations. The class might also talk about maps and orienteering, and play group games.