Our mission at The Farmstead School is to create a middle school community where kids grow and learn
in real life.
Meet Our Founders
Hi, we’re Julia and Emily, sisters and the founders of The Farmstead School, a homeschool collective in Niwot, CO. Our journey into education began with a simple yet powerful desire—to provide our community with an alternative to the device-addicted culture that has our adolescents in its grips. Therefore, we created a community of families committed to giving our children a smart-device-free youth and education. Our hearts are filled with excitement as we build this community and give our children the time and space to grow into their fullest, healthy selves.
Our Learning Guides
Amanda Stone Norton
Academic Director and Lead Guide
Amanda is a Montessori-trained teacher with over twenty years of experience tailoring learning to the individual needs of students. With a PhD in education, a Master’s in adolescent development, a Montessori Secondary I and II credential, and unbridled passion for teaching, Amanda offers your child the best personalized education available.
Leah Cousin
Farm Guide
Leah is a symphony clarinetist turned farmer who runs an organic farm out of her backyard. You should check it out! (bocobackyardroots.com). She also happens to be our farm educator and farm lead. Leah is the reason things happen! She loves hiking, soil, laughing, and compost.
Kat Shirley
Art Guide
Kat is an ex-Navy, history buff, artist extraordinaire. When not offering students at The Farmstead School exceptional art classes, Kat teaches at Tinker Art Studio in Boulder or can be found reading, painting, or out in the mountains searching for pretty plants with her dog, Deanna Doo!