Today was our annual Meet & Greet, giving families a sneak peek of the year ahead before school starts tomorrow. After all, day one is a lot easier once you've already met your new teacher, run around campus with friends, and had something sweet (thanks @goodvices.ices!) See you tomorrow, Dragons!

At Sabot, the environment is a child's third teacher, and the organization of the classroom plays a pivotal role in learning. This week, Teacher-Researchers have been hard at work setting up spaces to invite students to explore, create, and make their thinking visible. Ready for the first question, the first conversation, and the first class discovery. We can't wait to see you next week!

The Mary Baxter Community Garden is bursting with life, everything from pollinators to figs, grapes, raspberries, mint, arugula, onions, and much more! During teacher work week, our faculty met with our new Garden Educator, Noa, to walk through the garden, hear what’s coming, and start dreaming up how to weave the garden into daily learning and project work. We can’t wait for our students to get their hands dirty!

Last week, Sabot welcomed our newest faculty for New Teacher Orientation. The first session focused on Harvard’s Project Zero Thinking Routines, such as Visible Thinking. We explored how to slow down, notice first, and let what you see lead somewhere new. It's the same process a young child uses when wondering about a puddle, or a 12-year-old uses to understand what makes a strong government. Making their thinking visible helps students build awareness of how they think and learn. By emphasizing the importance of process, our new teachers are immersed in the same work your child will embark on all year long.

Teachers and staff are back on campus this week, getting classrooms ready and reconnecting before students arrive. Summer went fast, but we're already excited for the year ahead!

Sabot is thrilled to welcome our new faculty and staff! It’s going to be a great year.

A Sabot Summer may be over, but we have a few more good photos to share. Registration begins this winter. We cannot wait to see you next year!

🌞 That’s a wrap on A Sabot Summer! Hopefully your children finished camp happy, exhausted, and maybe with a new friend or two.

No plans, no drawings, just one goal: build as tall as possible.

With nothing to ruin, we didn't tell them to be careful; we handed them the tray. Yes, it's messy. That's the point. Messy hands mean busy minds.

We're honored to be named one of the Best Preschools of 2026 by @richmondmag A child's early educational journey is instrumental in shaping how they see themselves, develop empathy for peers, and consider the world around them. At Sabot, we cultivate curiosity, nurture confidence, and inspire joyful learning through meaningful relationships and intentional experiences. Thank you to our extraordinary Early Childhood educators, curious children, and trusting families for making this recognition possible.

The shrieking laughter from kids covered in foam was louder than the dance music. What a blast!

Running shots, close races, Zero-G hair, and maybe a little fear. A Sabot Summer has been a blast, but we're not done yet!

Sure, you could read how electric motors work, but that’s not as fun. In A Sabot Summer’s Maker Lab Specialty Camp, students learned the engineering and mathematics behind electric vehicles before exploring how to make their own out of cardboard.

Every swipe of the hand, every squish between the fingers, every splash is a little experiment. Sensory play unfolds naturally, letting children construct their own understanding of the world through discovery rather than being told what to think. This self-directed exploration builds confidence through their own lived experience.

Popcorn is ready 🍿🛹 Morning skate sesh with the crew from @rvaskateschool Camp

Summer as it used to be: blue skies, a cool breeze, and the repeated THWOMP of kids playing kickball. Even with all the cheering, no camper was keeping score.

Treefrog campers designed, built, and played through a mini golf course complete with challenging hazards like steep descents, bumpy greens, and potted plants. Camp Rule: Mulligans Allowed ↩️ ⛳

At A Sabot Summer camp, the forest is the supply closet for the studio. Outfitted with nature pouches, the Salamander campers search for raw materials to use in their next creations.

Thank you to local musician, Joe Lubman, for coming in and doing a percussion workshop with our Sabot Summer campers! #asabotsummer #sabotsummer #richmondsummercamps

A Sabot Summer is the best! Our preschoolers are climbing, playing, making, getting messy, and just living their best lives. #asabotsummer #richmondsummercamp

A Sabot Summer kicked off week 1, and our K-5 Day Campers are having a blast! Classic summer games, time in the forest, studio time with our atelierista, and of course - building friendships. It’s going to be a good summer 😎 #asabotsummer #richmondsummercamp #richmonddaycamp

Not to be outdone, our 7th graders brought home some big wins this year too! This spring, four students represented Sabot at the Virginia Junior Academy of Science, presenting original research to a panel of judges, and all four placed in their categories: • Lydia S (First Place, Human Behavior) • Griffin W (Second Place, Human Behavior) • Lorena R (Second Place, Microbiology) • Eli F (Third Place, Physics) Congratulations to all four on their hard work and success. Read more about their projects through the [🔗 link in bio].

Have we mentioned how amazing our 8th graders are? Back in March, Dean F. '26 competed at the Virginia History Day District 8 competition with his Individual Website project, "Revolutionary Rails: How Railways Changed War," examining how railways shaped the course of military history. We are thrilled to share that his project placed first at districts and advanced him to the state competition at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. We're so proud of his hard work and dedication. Read more through the [🔗 link in bio]. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondmiddleschools #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #StudentInquiry #ProjectBasedLearning #IndependentResearch #StudentAchievement #VirginiaHistoryDay #NationalHistoryDay #MiddleSchoolStudents #HistoryEducation #IndependentSchool #SabotSchool #ReggioInspired #StudentSuccess #RichmondVA #RVA https://www.sabotschool.org/sabot-students-bring-home-top-honors-in-history-and-science

Happy summer from all of us! ☀️💚

Today, Sabot celebrated 8th grade graduation. This culminating event marked the close of a journey that, for many, began in our earliest classrooms. The procession began with our 7th-grade dragon puppeteers, followed by our graduates and their 2nd-grade reading buddies, some of whom have walked alongside them for years. Graduates and faculty shared words about their time here, about learning, about each other, about what it means to grow up in a community like this one. We are so proud of you, Class of 2026. More photos coming soon. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondmiddleschools #SabotSchool #ClassOf2026 #Graduation2026 #MiddleSchoolGraduation #ReggioInspiredEducation #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #TheSabotApproach #SchoolCommunity #IndependentSchool #RichmondVA #RVAeducation #ProjectBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #PlaceBasedEducation #OutdoorSchool #NatureBased #WholeChildEducation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Miles (he/him), who started at Sabot in preschool. He's heading to Trinity Episcopal School next year. He's interested in pursuing a career in statistics or something similarly math-focused. Miles' favorite Explo project was the rope net he built with classmates Dean, Wesley, and Leif in the quad. In Miles’ words, “We did this project so that future Sabot students can play on it and have fun." What a lovely legacy. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Wesley (he/him), who started at Sabot in 2nd grade. He's heading to York Steiner School in England next year, with an interest in becoming a pilot. Wesley's favorite Explo project was the rope net he built with classmates Leif, Miles, and Dean – weaving it into the trees in the quad so Sabot students would have a place to play long after they're gone. What he'll miss most is his class, his friends, and Explo. His favorite thing about Sabot is that same sense of freedom, along with the voice students have in shaping the school itself – from murals to courtyard projects, Sabot empowers students to develop real agency in their community. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Helena (she/her), who started at Sabot in kindergarten. She's heading to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School next year. Helena's favorite Explo project was one she worked on with classmate Aubrey: painting ceiling tiles to continue a tradition started by the class of 2025, and leaving a little piece of themselves on the ceiling for classes to come. What Helena will miss most is the openness of the Sabot environment – teachers who feel like people she can genuinely talk to, and who treat her with real respect. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Leif (he/him), who started at Sabot in 2nd grade. He's heading to Trinity Episcopal School next year. Leif's favorite Explo project was one he took on with a group of close friends: building a rope net suspended in a tree in the quad near the pool house – replacing a wooden structure that had rotted in the same spot. They built it to last. What will he miss most? Knowing almost everyone, and having grown up alongside his classmates since he arrived. His favorite thing about Sabot is the weekly circle, where he gets to share something he's proud of or excited about. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Ezri (all/any), who started at Sabot in kindergarten. She's heading to Open High School next year. Ezri isn't sure yet what path she'll pursue, but her interests range from international relations and forensics to animation. Ezri's favorite Explo project was creating an art display wall outside the Explo room – a space for the whole school community to share artwork and see their creativity reflected back to them. One of Ezri's favorite memories is a VJAS trip to Ferrum College with a group of classmates, where they stayed overnight in college dorms, helped each other practice their presentation scripts, and made the two-hour drive feel like part of the adventure. What she'll miss most is how Sabot makes space for real relationships – smaller classes, teachers you can actually know, and a depth of learning that goes beyond dates and facts to explore the human side of every subject. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Greyson (he/him), who started at Sabot in 2nd grade. He's heading to Trinity Episcopal School next year with dreams of becoming a game developer – drawn to the way games can tell a story while keeping players engaged. What Greyson will miss most is something at the heart of the Sabot experience: the way learning shapes itself around the student. If a student excels in one area and needs more support in another, the approach shifts to meet them where they are. His favorite thing about Sabot is the bonds that form from sharing classes with the same group of people – learning alongside each other every day builds deep relationships that he will miss greatly. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Kenneth (he/him), who started at Sabot in 7th grade. He's heading to James River High School next year with an interest in marine biology and working with aquariums. Kenneth's favorite Explo project was the Sabot Art Gallery he created with classmates Ezri and Ocean – a community space for students to submit and display their work, organized around rotating themes and open to the whole school. They kicked things off with a fashion show at Umbrella Night to get the community involved, proving that art shows up in more ways than one. What he'll miss most is the people. His friends and teachers are at the center of his Sabot experience, and the chance to see them every day is something he knows he'll carry with him. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week and next to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Solace (she/her), who started at Sabot in preschool. She's heading to Saint Catherine's next year. In the future, she hopes to own a boutique hotel – one inspired by a book she loves. Solace's favorite Explo project was creating a hand-illustrated bug book. She researched insects and then painted each one in watercolor, producing a collection of detailed, realistic illustrations that required real precision and patience. When asked what she'll miss most, Solace says she has too many memories to recount – but the ones she'll cherish most are the times she's spent in the forest with friends. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week and next to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Aubrey (she/her), who started at Sabot in 4th grade. She's heading to Godwin High School next year. She's passionate about dance and hopes to one day teach or judge dance competitions. Aubrey's favorite Explo project was painting ceiling tiles with classmate Helena and installing them in the ceiling – continuing a tradition started by the class of 2025. They brought their own humor and inside jokes to their tiles, added one to commemorate their class, and created a roadmap document so future 8th graders can keep the tradition going. What she'll miss most is her friends, Explo, and Fridays in the forest – which also happens to be one of her favorite things about Sabot. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week and next to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Ocean (they/them), who started at Sabot in preschool. Ocean's favorite Explo project was the Sabot Art Gallery – an event that brought the community together around creativity and challenged the idea of what art can be, showcasing not just drawing and painting, but fashion, music, literature, and more. What Ocean will miss most is the people. Having grown up at Sabot since preschool, they've built friendships that have shaped who they are. They'll also miss the forest, the garden, the Sabot Dragon, and even the basement of the main house where they'd hide to scare their friends. As Ocean puts it, they're going to miss this place deeply – but they're excited for what comes next. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

With graduation just around the corner, we're taking some time this week and next to celebrate and spotlight each of our soon-to-be graduates. 🎓 Meet Dean (he/him), who started at Sabot in 6th grade. He's heading to New Community School next year with a strong interest in history. Dean's favorite Explo project was the rope net he built with classmates in the trees – researching, securing approvals, and weaving it into the quad near the pool house over several weeks, replacing a wooden structure that had rotted in the same spot. They built it to last, so Sabot students would have a place to play for years to come. What Dean will miss most is the freedom Sabot gives students to direct their own experience. He'll also miss his friends, who are heading in all different directions next year. One of his favorite memories is building up a collection of 3D prints from the school's printer – a small but telling example of what Sabot makes possible when students are trusted to explore. Congratulations to the #SabotClassof2026! We can't wait to see what happens next! #MiddleSchoolGraduates #Rising9thGraders #RichmondVA #ReggioInspired #RVAGraduates #NextChapter #SabotSchool #FutureLeaders #SabotGraduates #Sabot8thGrade #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAGraduates #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAIndependentSchools #classof2026 #classof26 #8thgradegraduation

A few weeks ago, the first graders in Shayla and Laura's class performed their larger-than-life Endangered Animal Puppet Show live for parents, teachers, and peers: an original, hand-made performance about endangered animals and how we can protect them. Rooted in this year's Umbrella Theme of Stewardship, students turned their focus to endangered animals and what it means to protect them. The idea started with a single student suggestion and grew into a full production: an original script, handmade puppets, and a multi-habitat set built by 6 and 7-year-olds who wanted people to know more about endangered animals, and maybe do something about it. #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondElementarySchools #ReggioInspiredElementary #SabotSchool #ProjectBasedLearning #StudentInquiry #UmbrellaProject #Stewardship #EarlyChildhood

For their final Field Study of the year, seventh and eighth graders in the Horizons Program spent a day at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and First Landing State Park. The two grades brought different lenses to the same places. Seventh graders explored biological strategies across species and used what they found to sketch biomimicry design concepts. Eighth graders moved through the aquarium looking for evidence of climate change's impact on marine ecosystems. At First Landing, both grades completed observational drawings rooted in a simple but layered question: what would the first colonizers have seen here that we can still see today? A huge thank you to @rvatransport for getting us there and back! #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #RichmondMiddleSchools #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #HorizonsProgram #FieldStudy #ProjectBasedLearning #PlaceBasedLearning #OutdoorLearning #MarineScience #Biomimicry #ClimateEducation #ProgressiveEducation #IndependentSchool #RichmondVA@vaaquarium First Landing State Park

All year, children in the Hive have been learning to sew by hand, carefully sewing stitch by stitch. This week, Atelierista Paige introduced them to a ✨ sewing machine ✨. The children were fascinated, exploring every part of it – controlling the pedal, adjusting the foot lever, turning the wheel to move the needle manually, and experimenting with different stitches. Together with Paige, they sewed simple pockets that became pouches, purses, and cozy resting places for the small animals living in their classroom. Already they're asking to do it again! #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondPreschools #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #HundredLanguages #100Languages #Atelier #Atelierista #SabotSchool #EarlyChildhood #FiberArts

Second graders took multiplication outside recently, heading to the outdoor classroom to build arrays from rocks, sticks, leaves, and whatever else they could find. Back inside, their photographs became the problems: can you write the multiplication model that goes with each one? Math lives everywhere, if you know how to look. 🍁✖️🍁 #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondelementaryschools #ReggioInspiredElementary #OutdoorLearning #NatureLearning #ProjectBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #ElementaryMath #ReggioEmilia #IndependentSchool #ProgressiveEducation #RichmondVA

If you've been on campus lately, you might have noticed The Path. What began as an inquiry into erosion has grown into something much larger – a student-led investigation weaving together science, math, and persuasive writing, all driven by a question the children asked themselves: what can we do to stop the erosion on our hill? Our 4th graders noticed that the hill between Honor Hall and Upper Founders Hall was losing ground. Literally. Wet weather and foot traffic had worn it down, and the children were paying attention. They observed, sketched, and wondered. They measured the slope using rulers, meter sticks, string, and protractors, calculating whether it was at landslide risk (it's around 20 degrees – they were relieved!). They sectioned the hill into rectangles and triangles so any proposed solution would actually fit the space. From there, the work branched. Some children designed a path to concentrate foot traffic. Others roped off sections to see if the grass would return. All of them wrote persuasive essays to Sabot's administration, backed by data they collected themselves: observations, photographs, interviews, and research on erosion and landslides. In The Sabot Approach, academic skills aren't delivered to children; they emerge from real work, driven by real questions. And along the way, children discover that their voices, backed by evidence, can reach beyond the classroom. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondelementaryschools #ReggioInspiredElementary #ReggioEmilia #ProjectBasedLearning #EmergentCurriculum #HundredLanguages #ChildLedLearning #OutdoorLearning #ElementaryEducation #IndependentSchool #ProgressiveEducation #STEM #RichmondVA

Today, Griffin and Eli took over PE as Teachers for the Day, and they did not come to mess around. They called every game on the schedule - Yoshi, Infection, and Migration - taught 6th grade the art of handball, and closed out the day by turning the hose on the first graders. No notes. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #RichmondElementarySchools #Richmondmiddleschools

In preschool, forming strong school-family connections is a cornerstone of our approach. The children in the Rainbow Room were overjoyed to spend an afternoon with parent Nikhil in the music studio, exploring the shared joy of rhythm and song. Nikhil introduced the children to the tabla — Indian drums rooted in a classical tradition of polyrhythmic music. He shared basic hand and finger techniques, then invited the children to be the music makers. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondpreschools #ReggioInspiredPreschool #HundredLanguages #FamilyAsPartner #MusicAtelier #MusicAtelierista

Today, 7th grader Lydia Strickland stepped into the role of Head of School. She sat in on meetings, connected with students across the school, and even brought some ideas of her own to the table for the end of the year. Great job, Lydia! #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondmiddleschools #ReggioInspiredMiddle

🌸🐝 Last fall, our 5th and 6th graders planted more than 500 native plants at the Bee Sanctuary at @livingwaterrva . This spring, they came back to see what grew. This return visit was the final field study of the year for our Bridge Program students, and it brought the work full circle. Students helped with a honey extraction and spent time observing how the pollinator garden they contributed to in the fall is now supporting the hives. Because the bees at Living Waters RVA forage within about a five-mile radius that includes Sabot's campus, the impact of their planting extends beyond the sanctuary and back to our own community. This is what field studies look like at Sabot. Not a single trip, but a relationship with a place over time, building depth of understanding rather than just breadth of experience. To learn more about the Middle School experience for students in grades 5-8, click the [🔗 link in bio] #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondMiddleSchools #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #SabotSchool #FieldStudy #Stewardship #OutdoorLearning #ProjectBasedLearning #Pollinators #BridgeProgram https://www.sabotschool.org/middle-school

Recently, our youngest learners – two and three year olds in our Nest – explored sand on a light table. Teachers Maddie and Taylor set out paintbrushes, curious what might happen. The brushes went untouched, and rather than directing the students back to the paintbrushes, the teachers followed the children's inquiry. The children dove in with their hands, exploring the texture, noticing how the sand felt cold, and eventually discovering that they could control how much light showed through based on the thickness of their piles. In doing so, they stumbled into concepts of light, shadow, and cause and effect – entirely on their own terms. Letting children lead their own discoveries in the early years builds confidence, curiosity, and the understanding that their instincts are worth following. #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondPreschools #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ImageOfTheChild #SabotSchool #EarlyChildhood

Sixth graders recently wrapped up one of their most ambitious STEM projects yet: Build-a-Beast. A roll of the dice determined each student's creature, assigning a unique set of adaptations based on environment, predator pressures, and more. The one rule: every adaptation had to be something that could actually occur in nature. From there, students created detailed drawings, converted them into 3D design files, and printed their final creatures. Students weren't just building fantasy creatures. They were applying real concepts – genetics, mutation, natural selection, and evolution – and using Punnett Squares to determine what traits their beasts would pass on to offspring. #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondMiddleSchools #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #SabotSchool #ProjectBasedLearning #ScienceEducation #StudentInquiry

What do you get when you put eight budding musicians in a room with instruments, a microphone, and music-making software? A fully produced, original album! Meet the Music Eksplorers – a Kindergarten and Grade 1 Beyond the Classroom group who worked with resident musician Erika Blatnick to write, sing, play, and produce their own album, complete with artwork they created themselves. Listen to the full album through the [🔗 link in bio] #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondElementarySchools #ReggioInspiredElementary #SabotSchool #HundredLanguages #MusicEducation See less https://music-explorers.bandcamp.com/album/music-eksplores

🌿At Sabot, we believe that richer thinking and deeper learning happen when children learn in a place of genuine joy and curiosity, empowered to chase their own questions. We are accepting applications for Lower and Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. If you or someone you know is looking for a different approach to education, we invite you to connect with our admissions team today through the [🔗 link in bio]. #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RVAPrivateSchools #RichmondElementarySchools #RichmondMiddleSchools #RichmondPrivateSchools #SabotSchool #ReggioInspired #ReggioInspiredElementary #ReggioInspiredMiddleSchool #ProgressiveEducation #ProgressiveSchool #ProjectBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #NatureBasedLearning #OutdoorLearning #IndependentSchool #NowEnrolling #JoyfulLearning #TheSabotApproach #HundredLanguages #EmergentCurriculum #RVAKids #RVAFamilies #RichmondVA https://www.sabotschool.org/admissions

We just wrapped up one of our favorite spring traditions: Bike Week(s)! 🚲 Over the past two weeks, students in grades 1–8 worked on bike-handling skills, tackled group riding, and played games on two wheels. We had a dozen students learn to ride for the very first time! And to cap it all off, Endorphin Fitness joined our oldest students for a mountain biking clinic, where more than a few of them launched off a ramp and got some serious air! #RVASchools #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondElementarySchools #RichmondMiddleSchools #OutdoorLearning #BikeWeek #SabotSchool @endorphin_fitness

🍓This spring, the children of Sabot have been finding red ribbons strewn across campus – evidence that the Sabot Dragon is stirring from it's slumber. Eagerly watching and waiting, they've listened to stories of this magical creature and even spotted them shyly peeking through the trees. Today, upon hearing the children's song, the Dragon grew brave enough to approach. Rumor has it strawberries may be coming soon 👀 #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondpreschools #Richmondelementaryschools #ReggioInspiredElementary #ReggioInspiredEarlyChildhood #OutdoorLearning

Just over here baking cookies in the Rainbow Room. Happy Monday, everyone! #Sabotschool #RVApreschool #Reggioinspiredschools

What a night. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s gala and helped make it such a joyful, memorable evening. From catching up with friends to dancing, bidding in our live auction, testing our luck during Heads or Tails, and enjoying incredible food and drinks, we had an absolute blast. A huge thank you to @nucleustrio for the music, @garnish_rva for the delicious food, and @saltandacidrva for the cocktails and bar experience. We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who participated in Raise the Paddle in support of our new Outdoor Pavilion, set to break ground this summer. Your generosity will help create a beautiful new gathering and learning space for our community for years to come. Thank you for celebrating with us! #SabotSchool #SabotGala #RichmondVA #RichmondEvents #IndependentSchool #ProgressiveEducation #ChildCenteredLearning #RichmondIndependentSchool #CommunityCelebration #OutdoorLearning #RaiseThePaddle #RichmondNonprofits #RVAEvents #RVANonprofits #RichmondCommunity

Teacher Appreciation Week may be wrapping up, but our gratitude doesn't 💚 From classrooms to hallways to behind-the-scenes spaces you never see, so many people show up every day for your children at Sabot. Thank you – truly – for everything you do. And thank you to Parents@Sabot for making this such a special week for our special people! #TeacherAppreciationWeek #TeacherAppreciation #ThankATeacher #TeachersRock #TeacherLove #SabotSchool #ParentsAtSabot #RichmondVA

The second graders in Paula and Annaleigh's class have spent this year directing their stewardship efforts toward the SPCA. They've created pet portraits to help animals get adopted, made toys and snuffle mats, raised donations, and worked toward their culminating activity: reading aloud to the animals 🐾 📖 That last piece is more than a sweet wrap-up. Reading to pets is a well-documented fluency practice. Animals are non-judgmental listeners, which lowers the stakes and lets kids focus on pacing, expression, and flow. The class even practiced with stuffed animals first to build their confidence before the real thing. We've loved watching the joy and authenticity in learning that grows from following what children genuinely care about. #RVAschools #RVAindependentschools #Richmondelementaryschools #ReggioInspiredElementary #ChildLedLearning #EmergentCurriculum #AuthenticLearning #ImageOfTheChild #ProjectBasedLearning #ServiceLearning #ReadingAloud #AnimalAssistedLearning #CommunityConnected #JoyfulLearning #RVAfamilies

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and today is one of our favorite traditions: Flower Day! 🌸🌼🌺🌷 This morning, children across Sabot arrived with flowers in hand, chosen by them, either from their own gardens or a favorite store. Parent volunteers gathered them into bouquets for every faculty and staff member who supports your child at Sabot, in the classroom and behind the scenes. Thank you, Parents@Sabot, for making this week so special for our team of amazing educators and staff. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #TeacherAppreciation #ThankATeacher #TeachersRock #TeacherLove #TeachersDay #SabotSchool #FlowerDay #ParentsAtSabot #RichmondVA

Every morning in the Forest Room, before the day fully begins, there's a moment of stillness. After unpacking and signing in, children settle in with their notebooks and draw what's in front of them – a still life set out just for that purpose. Sustained attention is a muscle, and observational drawing is one of the ways we help build it. Research shows the practice strengthens focus, fine motor control, and the habit of noticing – and that these benefits show up across everything else children do. For preschoolers especially, having a calm, repeated ritual that asks them to slow down and really look at something is no small thing. The kids in the Forest Room have taken to it immediately. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ObservationalDrawing #ChildLedLearning #HundredLanguages #AtelierLearning #MorningRoutine #EarlyChildhood #RVASchools #DrawingToLearn #SlowDown

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday in support of Sabot, to everyone who bid behind the scenes, and a special thank you to our gala committee members, who put together such a special evening. We had the best time, and can’t wait to share more photos later this week. #sabotschool #sabotgala #galainthegarden

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring these Pet Portrait Collections from our 2nd graders [🔗 Link in bio] The children in Paula and Annaleigh’s 2nd grade class have been engaged in a long term project with the Richmond SPCA. One activity was creating pet portraits of the animals up for adoption which led to an interest in creating portraits of the children’s own pets or pets that were close to them. These pieces are collaborative drawing, which - together - include at least one pet drawing from each child. Drawings have been mounted on plywood. Measures approximately 13 x 13. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/filters?cat=student+artwork

✨ The silent auction is OPEN! Beyond our class projects, four individual Sabot student artists have donated original works of their own. Bid now to take home a piece of student creativity. [🔗 Link in bio] •“Walk for Peace” by Jo, age 6 (framed print) “Jinx” by River, age 13 (print) “Sabot Dragon” by Lydia, age 13 (original crochet sculpture) “Yunqing #4" by Ocean, age 14 (framed print The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/filters?cat=student+artwork

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring this "Community Sewing Triptych" from our preschoolers in the Hive. [🔗 Link in bio] The Hive has been working together, passing a needle through fabric hung on a frame from one side to the other. They have developed systems and patterns for completing this work in a truly collaborative and inclusive way. This series of 3 hand stitched color clocks is a small representation of the community sewing projects the class has engaged in throughout this school year. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670918

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring this "Ceramic and Glass Wall Hanging" from our third graders. [🔗 Link in bio] The 3rd-grade class has been uncovering some exciting treasures - ceramic and glass of different designs, colors, and uses have been unearthed from what was once the dumping grounds for the Larus Estate. The children in Patrick and Macee’s class have worked together to find and clean the glass in order to investigate and repurpose it by firing it within ceramic vessels. The results have been both a scientific and artistic exploration, and they are sharing this one with you! The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670923

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring this "Watercolor Collage" from our preschoolers in the Rainbow Room. [🔗 Link in bio] True to their name, the Rainbow Room has been noticing and investigating the rainbows that show up in various places around their classroom, due to the many crystal prisms hanging in the windows. This watercolor collage has been created using circles from larger watercolor paintings. Each child from the Rainbow Room has contributed to this piece, every drop of color on the paper leaving a special mark of their own. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670917

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring these two "Clay Collage Wall Hangings" by our Kindergarteners. Note: There are two different listings! [🔗 Link in bio] Hope and Jillian’s Kindergarten class became interested in collage after noticing it reflected in the illustrations of the book Firebird written by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers. Following weeks of collaging with paper the class began working with other media, including clay. Together, the children worked to add slip and colored clay to a slab then finished the surface with stamps and flecks of grog. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670920

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring "Pressed Spring Plants & Flowers" by our preschoolers in the Forest Room. [🔗 Link in bio] Signs of spring have captivated the eyes and ears of the children in the Forest Room. From small sprouts in the forest to birds chirping to flowers blooming around campus, the children have been noticing and appreciating all the gifts nature has to offer during the spring season. In an act to record and preserve these signs, the Forest Room was invited to choose and place a piece of spring on canvas to create this piece. They are delighted to share their carefully curated creation with you. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670919

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring this "Tie-Dyed Yarn Weaving" made by our second graders. [🔗 Link in bio] The children in Jen and Hannah’s second-grade class took an interest in weaving earlier this school year. Anyone who has walked through Honor Hall has probably noticed the large yarn and fabric weavings representing each student’s individual work. This piece has been touched by the hands of each child in the classroom. The yarn is hand-dyed by the makers and then woven into this wall hanging. It is a wonderful reflection of their artistic interests as well as their collaborative spirit and sense of community. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670922

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring this "Ceramic 'Cookie' Wall Hanging" from our preschoolers in the Burrow. [🔗 Link in bio] Throughout the year the Burrow children have been using their imaginations to make “cookies” during their studio time - whether it be forming them with playdough, painting them on paper with watercolor, or building them with loose parts. For this piece, we leaned into the children’s interest and invited them to create small, round objects, which were then glazed and strung to create this unique wall hanging. True to their ongoing interest, they were both making and frosting “cookies” while making these small clay forms, which now hang joyfully on a piece of vine found on Sabot grounds. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670927

✨ The silent auction is OPEN, featuring "Ice Dyed Tea Towels" from our preschoolers in the Nest. [🔗 Link in bio] The children in the Nest have been exploring cause and effect during much of their studio time this year. As another investigation into this concept, the children were invited to work together to place ice and sprinkle fabric dye onto 100% cotton tea towels. The effect results in a one-of-a-kind, brightly colored watercolor look on each towel. The silent auction closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2. Anyone can bid, whether or not you're attending. Thank you for supporting Sabot! #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #GalaInTheGarden #SilentAuction #StudentArt #RVA #RichmondVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389670915

The Sabot Spring Symposium was last week, and it was so great to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, learning alongside other educators about what it means for the child to be the protagonist of their learning journey and what it looks like when you lead with curiosity. Dynamic studio thinking sessions led by Sabot faculty and special guests fed our minds and inspired our hearts. Such a generative event, enriched even more by hearing directly from Sabot students, alumni, and founders. What makes Sabot, "Sabot?" It's our people – our faculty, our students, our alumni – their expertise, their commitment to this approach, their empathy, their joy. We are tremendously grateful for all who made this possible, and for the strength of their impact, which will ripple outward for weeks and months to come. #SabotSchool #SabotSymposium #SpringSymposium #ReggioEmilia #ReggioInspired #ReggioElementary #ReggioMiddleSchool #ReggioPreschool #ReggioEarlyChildhood #ChildAsProtagonist #CuriosityDriven #StudioThinking #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ElementaryEducation #MiddleSchoolEducation #PreschoolEducation #IndependentSchool #ProgressiveEducation #TeachingAndLearning #EducatorCommunity #ProfessionalDevelopment #WholeChildEducation #ChildLedLearning #InquiryBasedLearning #ProjectBasedLearning #EducatorInspiration #SchoolCulture #RichmondVA #RichmondSchools #IndependentSchoolLife

Our 4th and 5th graders took the stage at the Dominion Energy Center last night for Richmond Ballet's Minds in Motion and they absolutely rocked it! This year's theme, "Liberty and IndepenDANCE for All!", brought together students from schools across the area, each representing a different era or movement in American history. Sabot students represented the women's suffrage movement, championing equality and the right to vote. We couldn't be prouder of these young performers! #MindsInMotion #RichmondBallet #IndepenDANCE #LibertyAndIndepenDANCE #SabotSchool #SabotApproach #RichmondPrivateSchool #RVASchools @richmondballet @richmondballet

This spring, our 7th graders have been partnering with @rvacommunityfridges as part of their Stewardship work. They've been making burritos and PB&Js and dropping them off as part of RVA Community Fridges' mutual aid mission. During Umbrella Night, they took it a step further and hosted a live burrito-making demonstration for the community. This is what student-driven project work looks like at Sabot: young people who identify something that matters, show up consistently, and bring others along with them. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #StudentAgency #ProjectBasedLearning #InquiryBasedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #AlternativeEducation #IndependentSchool #ReggioMiddleSchool #RVAMiddleSchool #MiddleSchoolRVA #MutualAid #FoodJustice #CommunityFridge #RVACommunityFridges #ServiceLearning #RichmondMiddleSchool #CommunityEngagement #RVASchools

In the words of Nicolette Sowder, founder of Wildschooling, “To raise a nature-bonded child is to raise a rebel, a dreamer, an innovator… someone who will walk their own verdant, winding path.” Bold thinkers who walk their own path have always had a home at Sabot. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #ReggioPreschool #EmergentCurriculum #NatureSchool #NatureBasedLearning #OutdoorLearning #OutdoorClassroom #NatureKids #ForestSchool #ChildLedLearning #ChildhoodNature #NaturePlay #WildschoolingInspired #ProgressiveEducation #AlternativeEducation #IndependentSchool #RVAPreschool #RichmondPreschool #RVANature

😎 Spots are filling fast! A Sabot Summer Preschool Day Camp and rising K–5 Day Camp are almost full. [🔗Link in bio] to learn more and register. Preschool Day Camp runs June 22–July 31 and is open to current Sabot preschoolers and children enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year. Children must be at least three years old by their first day of camp and fully potty-trained. Expect trusted Sabot teachers, familiar routines, and plenty of outdoor play. K–5 Day Camp is open to rising Kindergarteners through rising 5th graders from across the Richmond community. Summer as it used to be: full days of hands-on exploration, outdoor adventure in Larus Park, and real summer fun, June 22–July 31. Openings are also still available in our K–8 Specialty Camps and 6–8 Summer Studies! #RichmondSummerCamp #RichmondDayCamp #RVAKids #RVAFamilies #RVASummer #RichmondSpecialtyCamps #SummerCamp2026 #ElementaryDayCamp #LowerSchoolDayCamp #PreschoolCamp #OutdoorKids #NatureKids #LarusPark #SabotSchool #ASabotSummer #SabotSummer2026 #AlmostFull #LimitedSpots #RegisterNow https://www.sabotschool.org/a-sabot-summer

✨What do you wear to an art-inspired garden gala? Bold colors. Graphic prints. Rich textures. Sculptural jewelry. However you interpret it, on May 2, YOU are the art. Tickets are on sale through April 24. [🔗Link in bio] #SabotSchool #GalaInTheGarden #SabotGala2026 #RVAEvents #RVA #RichmondVA #IndependentSchool https://event.gives/sabotgala2026

This one's for the performers. 🌟 This summer, we're partnering with @starzrichmond to bring two camps to Sabot where kids get a week to shine on their feet. "Starz Cheer Camp" builds coordination, rhythm, and team spirit through cheer motions, chants, jumps, and pom routines. Students come together as a squad, learn new skills, and cheer their hearts out. No experience needed, just enthusiasm. "Starz Ballet Camp" is an introduction to the magical world of ballet: basic positions, across-the-floor movement, and joyful choreography set to music. Each day brings new adventures and plenty of laughter. No experience needed, just come ready to dance. Learn more and register through the [🔗 link in bio] #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #RVASummer #RichmondSummerCamp #SummerCampRVA #CheerCamp #BalletCamp #DanceCamp #KidsCheer #KidsDance #BalletForKids #CheerForKids #SummerDance #PerformingArts #RichmondDance #RVADance #RichmondPerformingArts #SummerLearning #RVAParents #RichmondParents #RichmondKids #SummerPrograms www.sabotschool.org/a-sabot-summer

☂This Thursday, we invite our Sabot community to join us for Umbrella Night – our annual celebration of student work from Preschool through Grade 8. This year marks our second year exploring Stewardship as our Umbrella theme. After a rich first year, we realized we had only scratched the surface of what it means to care for our world, our community, and each other. This year, our students went deeper. The work our students have created this year spans every discipline and every grade. A Grade 7 partnership with RVA Community Fridges. A Grade 1 Stewardship Play. Collaborative sewing, board games, erosion studies, a student art gallery, a fashion show, and so much more. And don't miss the Explo Expo in Lower Honor Hall, where our Grade 6-8 students share their independent passion projects. We hope you'll join us on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Check your email for more details. #UmbrellaNight #SabotSchool #TheSabotApproach #ReggioEmilia #ReggioInspired #ReggioCommunity #EmergentCurriculum #HundredLanguages #ProjectWork #Stewardship #MakingLearningVisible #ChildLedLearning #InquiryBasedLearning #Atelierista #RichmondVA #RVASchools #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #RVAKids #RichmondPrivateSchool

Some shots from our Fun Run back in March. What an amazing day!

In preschool, children are actively building their sense of self and their place in the world. In the Burrow, that's taken the form of photography – identifying and capturing favorite items, people, and moments. It started with an old phone in the cottage. The children were drawn to it immediately, "taking pictures" of each other, their favorite toys, and different spots around campus. When there wasn't a camera around, they made one: a piece of paper, some stacked Duplos, whatever worked. Teachers Eliese and Emily noticed and, leaning into their interests, found an old, but working, digital camera and brought it in. Would the real thing land with kids who've only ever seen people shoot on phones? Turns out, yes – they were naturals, pointing, shooting, and making photographs of the world as they see it. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #HundredLanguages #PedagogicalDocumentation #EarlyChildhood #RVASchools #ChildhoodPhotography #PlayBasedLearning #EarlyChildhoodEducation

✨ There are only two weeks left to get your tickets to our Gala in the Garden: Atelier After Dark! Don't miss your chance to mingle with your favorite people, enjoy drinks, dinner, and dancing, and bid on items that support the school we all love. Tickets are on sale through April 24. Get yours today through the [🔗 link in bio] #SabotSchool #GalaInTheGarden #SabotGala2026 #RVA www.event.gives/sabotgala2026

🌱 It's spring and things are growing and the Hive is taking it all in! Every week, classes head to Larus Park for forest walks, where you'll find them climbing, digging, exploring, and just quietly watching the world around them. Research backs up what we see every week: unstructured time in nature supports children's physical development, builds social and emotional skills, and helps restore focus and attention. It's screen-free, child-led, and it's something we deeply believe in at Sabot. None of it happens without our incredible parent volunteers who show up week after week to make these walks possible. Thank you. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #OutdoorLearning #NaturePlay #ForestWalk #LarusPark #RVASchools #NatureBasedEducation #OutdoorKids #EarlyChildhood

✨ Something new is coming to the Gala in the Garden 👀 and spots are limited. VIP Hour with Salt & Acid is an exclusive pre-gala experience for just 45 guests. Go behind the bar with a live cocktail demo, learn the craft from Beth Dixon, one of Richmond's premier mixologists, and enjoy two handcrafted signature drinks before the main event begins. Add it to your Gala evening, or come just for the VIP event. Register through the [🔗 link in bio] Saturday, May 2 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Sabot Main House | $200 per person | 45 spots only #GalaInTheGarden #AtelierAfterDark #SabotSchool #SabotGala2026 #VIPHour @saltandacidrva #RichmondCocktails #MixologyRichmond #RVAEvents #RVA https://event.gives/sabotgala2026

It's a busy time of year for us at Sabot! Our amazing Parents@Sabot are organizing a Spring Clean Up Day this Friday, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. If you're able to stay after afternoon carpool, your help getting campus ready for the Symposium, Spring Concert, and Gala would mean a lot. Check your email for the latest P@S newsletter for details and how to sign up to help. Thank you to our incredible community for showing up, time and again. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ProgressiveEducation #IndependentSchool #RichmondCommunity #RVAParents #SchoolCommunity #PrivateSchoolRVA #RichmondFamilies #RVAFamily #ParentVolunteers #SchoolVolunteer #CommunityMatters #SpringCleanup #RichmondSchools

At Sabot, students learn early that their ideas have weight. When 8th grader Greyson (far right) had the idea to bring a skateboarding club to Sabot, he took action. Greyson has skated for years and wanted to share that passion with others. So last year, he brought a question to Jess, our Director of Grades 5–8, and what started there turned into weeks of presentations, planning, and conversations with Auxiliary Director Heather about safety equipment, structure, and what a responsible skateboarding program would actually require. Thanks to his advocacy, we were able to partner with RVA Skate School, offering Beyond the Classroom programming and Summer Specialty Camps this season. This is what it looks like when students grow up knowing their actions can make real change. In Greyson's own words: "One of the things I like most about skateboarding is that it's very individual. People can learn at their own pace and develop their own style, but they can still do it alongside others who enjoy the same activity." 🛹 Does your student want to learn to skate this summer? We're offering Skate Camp for rising students in grades 3–5 and 6–8. Learn more and register through the [🔗 link in bio]. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #RVAMiddleSchool #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #RichmondSummerCamp #RVASummer #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #ReggioMiddleschool #EmergentCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #StudentAgency #StudentAdvocacy #ProjectBasedLearning #InquiryBasedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #AlternativeEducation #IndependentSchool #RichmondSkate #RVASkate #Skatecamp #Skateboarding #BeyondTheClassroom @rvaskateschool www.sabotschool.org/a-sabot-summer

✨ Limited Edition 2026 Sabot Swag is here! Grab some when you get your Gala ticket, or order even if you can't make it. Order by May 2; pick-up will be in late May. This year's Vintage Gala Swag items recreate a design from Sabot's earliest days. The idea was sparked at an admissions event, when an alumnus arrived with his son who was wearing the very shirt his father had worn as a Sabot preschooler. This vintage logo celebrates the joy of children at play, a key element of the Sabot ethos. We are proud to bring it back. Grab your swag through the [🔗 link in bio] And if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, remember that sales close on April 24! Adult Shirts | $20 Youth Shirts | $15 Beer Can Glasses | $10 Wine Glasses | $10 #SabotSchool #GalaInTheGarden #VintageSabot #SabotSwag #SabotGala2026 #RichmondSchools #RichmondVA #IndependentSchool #SchoolCommunity #HonorOurPast https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items

This summer, let's climb, build, dig, explore, and get dirty. 🌿 For nature-loving kids, we have two summer camps that trade screens for streams and classrooms for forest trails. "Nature's Playground Camp" partners with Endorphin Fitness for a tech-free week of hiking, active play, and real outdoor skills: fire preparation, shelter building, mapping, animal tracking, and nature journaling. "Forest Explorers" takes students into Larus Park for a full week of wading in streams, identifying plants, animals, and fungi, and tuning into the forest ecosystem. Curiosity and creativity come to life through art and hands-on projects inspired by what students find along the way. Learn more and register through the [link in bio] #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #SummerPrograms #RVASummer #RichmondSummerCamp #SummerCampRVA #NatureCamp #OutdoorKids #ForestSchool #NatureBasedLearning #OutdoorLearning #RichmondNature #LarusPark #NatureJournaling #AnimalTracking #OutdoorSkills #WildernessKids #NaturePlay #UnstructuredPlay #TechFree #SummerLearning #RVAParents #RichmondParents #RichmondKids #EndorphinFitness @endorphin_fitness www.sabotschool.org/a-sabot-summer

We hope that your spring holiday is as joyful as these Forest Room preschoolers dancing to Vivaldi! From music atelierista Jāna, "I asked them to consider what the string instruments might be representing. After listening and chatting about their noticings, we rose to dance and represent the sounds with movement ideas. Many tip-toed, twirled, jumped, and turned into 'tornadoes' in response to the musical sounds." #RichmondVA #RVAKids #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ReggioPreschool #ChildLedLearning #HundredLanguages #CreativeMovement #MusicAndMovement #EarlyChildhoodEducation #RVAPreschool #RichmondPreschool #PlayBasedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #AlternativeEducation #IndependentSchool #ArtsIntegration #EarlyArtsEducation #MovementBasedLearning #ClassicalMusicForKids #SensoryLearning #RichmondFamilies

Save the date for our Spring Concert on Saturday, April 25, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.! Grab your blankets and lawn chairs – one of our favorite Sabot traditions is back. The annual Parents@Sabot Spring Concert returns to campus, featuring Richmond's own Sweet Potatoes, a local jazz band that has graced stages at the VMFA, festivals on Brown's Island, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. Think warm, soulful jazz that's as perfect for a spring afternoon as it sounds. This event is open to our Sabot families and the greater Richmond community, so bring your friends, enjoy some good tunes and good company, and cross your fingers for beautiful weather. Food and dessert trucks will be on site. Check out The Sweet Potatoes through the [🔗 link in bio] #RichmondVA #RichmondEvents #RVAEvents #RVAKids #RVAFamilies #RVAPrivateSchool #RichmondPrivateSchool #ThingsToDoInRichmond #RichmondCommunity #RichmondMoms #RVAMoms #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #IndependentSchool #ProgressiveEducation #LiveMusicRVA #RichmondJazz #RVAMusic #SupportLocalMusic #SpringConcert @sweetpotatoesmusic https://sweetpotatoesmusic.com/

🚨Registration closes at midnight tonight! Today is your final opportunity to register for the 2026 Sabot Symposium. Registration closes at midnight tonight – after that, doors are closed. Join us April 23-25 for two and a half days of dialogue, classroom observation, and deep professional learning grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach. Register now at [🔗 link in bio]. #TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLearning #EducatorPD #PDday #TeachersOfInstagram #TeacherCommunity #EducatorCommunity #TeachingLife #TeachersConnect #EarlyChildhoodEducator #ECEteacher #ElementaryTeacher #PreschoolTeacher #ReggioEmilia #ReggioInspired #ReggioApproach #ReggioTeacher #InquiryBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #SocialConstructivism #TeacherConference #EducatorConference #SabotSymposium #SabotInstitute https://www.sabotschool.org/sabot-symposium

✨ One of the most meaningful moments of the Gala is our Raise the Paddle, a collective giving moment where our community comes together in support of a shared initiative. This year, we're raising our paddles to fund an outdoor covered pavilion for all of our students, Preschool through 8th grade. This space will create new opportunities for outdoor classrooms, expanded PE and athletics, and learning and gatherings in every season and all weather. We’ve already received a generous $20,000 gift, and with your help, we can fully fund the project, begin construction this summer, and have it ready for next school year! Every gift helps bring this space to life. If you haven't bought your tickets, grab them today! [🔗 link in bio] https://event.gives/sabotgala2026 #SabotSchool #GalaInTheGarden #SabotGala2026 #RVAEvents #RVA #RichmondVA #IndependentSchool

🌼 The Kindergarteners in Amy and Jake's class have spent the year working in the Mary Baxter Community Garden. Through every season, they've been observing plant life cycles, learning how to prepare the soil and beds for what comes next, tasting produce as it comes in, and paying close attention to the creatures that make garden life possible. It's slow, patient, real work. A few weeks ago, families came together for the annual Garden Clean Up to get things ready for spring. We're so grateful to every parent who showed up and got their hands dirty alongside us. The garden is ready. Now we wait and watch. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ReggioPreschool #GardenBasedLearning #KidsGarden #NatureBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #PlantLifeCycle #SchoolGarden #OutdoorLearning #RichmondVAKids #CommunityGarden

⚡️Calling parents of all STEM-loving kids! Earlier this year, our 5th and 6th-graders had a blast building cardboard electric vehicles in our Design Lab. We're thrilled that this summer, this project is coming to our Summer Specialty Programs! For rising 3rd through 8th graders, "Maker Lab: Build an Electric Car" puts students in the driver's seat: designing and building their own cardboard EV while exploring the engineering, math, and sustainability questions behind how electric vehicles actually work. Rising 6th through 8th graders can go even further with our Summer Studies Design Lab, a deep dive into tools like the 3D printer, vinyl cutter, laser cutter, and circuits. Students leave with 2 to 3 finished projects and real hands-on maker experience. These camps are open to our Sabot students as well as the entire Richmond area. Register and learn more through the [link in bio] #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #SummerPrograms #RVASummer #RichmondSummer #RichmondSummerCamp #SummerCampRVA #STEMEducation #STEMSummerCamp #RichmondSTEM #RichmondSTEMClasses #STEMKids #MakerLab #MakerEducation #MakerSpaceKids #ElectricVehicles #EVEducation #ProjectBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #EngineeringForKids #MathInAction #SustainabilityEducation #3DPrinting #LaserCutter #DesignThinking #DesignLab #RVAParents #RichmondParents #SummerLearning www.sabotschool.org/a-sabot-summer

There are just a few days left to register for the 2026 Sabot Symposium! Join educators from around the country April 23-25 for an immersive 2.5-day professional learning experience rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach. Registration closes on Friday, April 3, at midnight – head to [🔗 link in bio] to learn more and secure your spot. #TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLearning #EducatorPD #PDday #TeachersOfInstagram #TeacherCommunity #EducatorCommunity #TeachingLife #TeachersConnect #EarlyChildhoodEducator #ECEteacher #ElementaryTeacher #PreschoolTeacher #ReggioEmilia #ReggioInspired #ReggioApproach #ReggioTeacher #InquiryBasedLearning #ChildLedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #SocialConstructivism #TeacherConference #EducatorConference #SabotSymposium #SabotInstitute https://www.sabotschool.org/sabot-symposium

Every class at Sabot has two classrooms: one inside, and one outside in nearby Larus Park. For Jen and Hannah's second graders, that means math often happens in the sunshine, and study breaks look like climbing the rocks nearby. 💚Just another Tuesday at Sabot. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #OutdoorClassroom #NatureBasedLearning #ReggioElementary #ReggioLowerschool #OutdoorLearning #LowerSchool

🌈 True to their name, the students in the Rainbow Room are color alchemists! In the Atelier, students are exploring color and how it changes. Some children carefully added just a touch of one color into another, watching closely as the paint shifted and transformed. Others layered washes across the page, discovering how water lets pigments flow and meet in unexpected ways. As they worked, children shared observations with one another, pointing out new colors they had created and comparing how their mixtures looked different from their friends'. #RichmondVA #RVAKids #TheSabotApproach #ReggioInspired #EmergentCurriculum #AtelierLearning #HundredLanguages #ChildLedLearning #ColorMixing #EarlyChildhood #RVASchools #PreschoolArt #ProcessArt #ColorTheory

Introducing the ✨Winner's Choice Raffle✨, a brand new addition to our Gala in the Garden! One lucky winner will choose between a luxury Iceland adventure or a $5,000 tuition credit for the 26-27 school year. Raffle tickets go on sale today! Grab them through the [🔗link in bio]. Tickets are $50 each or 5 for $200, and can be purchased until 8:00 p.m. on May 2. The winning ticket will be drawn live at the Gala. You do not need to be present to win, but you must be a Virginia resident to purchase a raffle ticket. #SabotSchool #GalaInTheGarden #SabotGala2026 #WinnersChoiceRaffle #RVAEvents #RVA #RichmondVA #IndependentSchool https://event.gives/sabotgala2026/items/389666058