Juniper Hill School was excited to welcome newly-elected State Senator Chloe Maxmin earlier this month to visit and tour the outdoor early childhood and elementary school. Juniper Hill School and the Maine Association of the Education of Young Children (MaineAEYC) came together to invite Senator Maxmin and share about the history and community-centered work of the school, as well as how the focus on outdoor education connects with current initiatives across the state.

Juniper Hill School for Place-Based Education in Alna connects children to themselves, to each other, and to their communities through studying both the natural and human environments.

“I founded Juniper Hill School for Place-Based Education as a place of refuge, connection, and community. It is a demonstration school for educators across Maine and beyond. Since the outdoors is their classroom, the students who attend the school readily identify the landscape with learning, adventure, and growth,” said Anne Stires.

As part of her visit, Senator Maxmin shared with the elementary students about her work in the Maine State Legislature and met with co-directors, Adrienne Hofmann and Robin Huntley, to learn about their work at the school.