Our space
1.3 acres to explore
Raven Canyon is located at a private home on 1.3 acres in the rural town of Acton, California.
Children explore the full expanse of the yard throughout the day — learning happens everywhere, not just at a desk.
Garden space
Year-round beds of artichokes, blackberries, and more — with fruit trees and a seasonal vegetable plot on the way.
Play area
Room to run, climb, and build with open-ended play.
Chicken coop & animals
Where children care for our flock and raise chicks, with our farm cats nearby. More animals — likely ducks, maybe a sheep or lamb, and a tortoise — will join later.
Home kitchen
Farm-to-table baking classes using what we grow.
Classroom
A dedicated space for focused ELA and math lessons.
Our founder
Meet Natalie Brown
Credentialed teacher, curriculum creator, and homeschooling mom — building the farm school she wanted for her own children.
Natalie is a credentialed Single Subject English teacher with years of experience teaching children from early childhood through high school. She holds a B.A. in English (minor in Teaching English as a Second Language) from California State University, Northridge, and is working toward her Early Childhood Education Administration and Lead Teacher certificates through UCLA Extension.
She blends Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and forest-school ideas with project-based learning, so children explore, build, and wonder — while still getting dedicated, intentional reading, writing, and math.
Natalie homeschools her own children, and Raven Canyon grew from that experience. We especially welcome homeschool families looking for nature-rooted enrichment with real academic time for ages 5–8.
Pre-enrollExperience
2026 – present
Lead Teacher, Preschool & TK
Gathered Oak Farm School · Fallbrook, CA
Co-created school policies and routines; leads an immersive, play-centered, nature-based curriculum with daily outdoor exploration.
2022 – 2026
Owner & Lead Teacher
Raven Canyon Academy · Acton, CA
Ran a licensed large family child care and preschool program, and wrote a play-based curriculum across science, math, literacy, art, and sensory learning.
2023 – present
1:1 Academic & Developmental Specialist
Private tutoring
Individualized, sensory-friendly support for a student on the autism spectrum, building self-regulation and confidence.
2022 – present
Curriculum Creator & Publisher
Teachers Pay Teachers
Designs and publishes early childhood and K-12 lesson plans and curriculum units.
2018 – 2022
English Teacher & ESL Coordinator
LAUSD · Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences
Taught English and ESL to diverse, multilingual students in grades 9–12.