Conserve School

5400 N BLACK OAK LAKE RD

Land O' Lakes, WI 54540

51 Reviews

School District
Grade

10-11
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 09, 2018

Amazing state-of-the-art facilities. Excellent faculty. Wonderful integrative curriculum. Outstanding balance of academic rigor and playful exploration. Warm, caring, capable staff. Perfect balance of supervised, safe boundaries and expansive pushing beyond comfort zones. Healthful and delicious meal options (with professional management of allergen-safe protocols). Magnificently magical forested setting. Expertly-designed, pedestrian-oriented, community-focused campus. Well-organized and gracefully-shepherded application, enrollment and move-in process.Abundant fitness, extracurricular, and field trip opportunities. As of October 7, 2018, my son is now seven weeks into CS17, having recently completed a five-day, 54-mile hike in the Trap Hills area of the North Country Trail for "Exploration Week" (the "hardest" of several trip options). Those hikers endured some really tough weather conditions, and still he returned glowing with enthusiasm. My spouse and I just returned from "Family Weekend," where we were able to tag along on Friday classes and enjoy fun activities and visits with our student and other kindred families over the weekend. I was so thrilled to see my son enjoying structured classwork and close connections with new friends. This place is an absolute gem, and the adjacent Sylvania Wilderness is like a mini Boundary Waters with the spirit of ancient forest. I cannot possibly convey the entirety of my gratitude for the staff's expert execution of the founder's hopeful and generous vision. It is obvious that they have put tremendous thought into every aspect of the experience, and they've had enough time to work out the kinks. The only potential drawback here is having to give up certain seasonal sports/clubs/activities (and sending-school friends/community) for four months while wholly focused on the Conserve experience. But it is, without doubt, a commitment worth making. The semester flies by quickly! My only constructive criticism is that much more racial diversity among the board and staff could go a long way toward attracting a more diverse student body, which would enrich the student experience and carry Conserve's mission farther. (Pretty sure the Adventure Gap is already on Conserve School's radar.)
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2018

Our daughter is currently attending the Fall '18 semester, and we (and she) couldn't be happier with the experience! The entire staff and teachers are extremely caring and allow students to work to the best of their abilities, while providing a safe, caring, and creative environment! The location of the school is amazing, and allows students to learn with a hands on approach in the outdoors with a focus on the environment and on cultivating each student's strengths. This location is even more special for us, since our child comes from a heavily populated city. Conserve School has provided a very cost effective and unique opportunity for her to learn in an outdoors environment she is not normally accustomed to.
Submitted by other on September 28, 2017

Attending Conserve School changed who I am as a person. I believe in myself. I believe that people can change and live in harmony with the natural world. I believe we all have a place and a purpose in this world. I believe in all of these things and so much more because of what learned at Conserve. Conserve School educates you about academics, the natural world, and about yourself. -CS10 Alumna
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2017

My son is currently attending Conserve School and it is an experience of a lifetime. He loves it and seems to be really growing up as a result of this experience and the independence. Plus, the reputation is wonderful and will help him when he applies to colleges.
Submitted by other on September 25, 2017

Our grandson attended the school last spring and I am thrilled that his younger brother will be attending next spring!! My husband and I are looking forwarding to taking him there and attending "parents" weekend." Our grandsons have been going to school in Africa where their parents are teachers........and the fact that they are coming all the way from Africa to attend says a lot about their enthusiasm for the school! We met many teachers and staff and other students and thought everyone was GREAT!!
Submitted by other on September 25, 2016

The semester that our daughter spent at Conserve School last spring was the gift of a lifetime. Bonding with 60 other students, outdoor classes, dedicated teachers, the beautiful North Woods for 4 months was wonderful and went by very quickly! Thank you for this wonderful and unique experience!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2015

"Here rest and grow wiser may you find peace." Conserve School (CS9) was a lifetime opportunity for my son to reflect on the present and, more importantly, what's next in line for his future. The staff was professional, the teachers were outstanding and the school has obviously fine tuned all their processes for the semester. Such a well run organization, hats off to the entire CS team. Here's a couple parent items you might find helpful: 1-the (4) credit hours were easily transferable back to our sending school (CS is an AdvanceED school). 2-communication with school was always prompt and courteous. 3-their daily check in processes for the students throughout the semester demonstrate their commitment to a safe environment 4-being out of state, CS even shuttled the students back and forth from the nearby airport (Rhinelander). 5-being out of state, CS made it easy to ship clothes via ups to the school and back home. Lastly, thank you to Jim Lowenstine for allowing my son to walk in your footsteps, a committed steward he will be.
Submitted by student on April 13, 2014

This program is so amazing. The teachers are some of the kindest, most intelligent human beings, the campus is gorgeous, the curriculum is varied and informs one of countless things many other schooling experience would never cover. Conserve School changed my life; I found parts of myself there I'm not sure I would have been able to find otherwise, I met the best people in the world [we are one big family through and through], I learned how to be confident, independent and self-sufficient, and to top it all off, I became prepared for tons of relevant situations I later found myself in in senior year of high school and in college. Anyone who is serious about making a difference in the world, gaining new perspectives + challenges and experiencing great love for people and the world alike should attend Conserve.
Submitted by other on April 13, 2014

The day I went to visit I saw a bald eagle, an otter, and a piliated woodpecker within 4 hoursand knew that I had to go. Best decision I have ever made. Conserve school was one of the most valuable experiences of my entire life. The teachers expanded my world view and treated us like equals, fostering some of the best conversation I have ever had. The campus was incredible and literally in the middle of the Forrest meaning the outdoors was the campus. The curriculum used that location and incredible teachers to its advantage and created an incredible learning environment. Not to even mention the students who are my best friends still and we continue to meet up and stay on touch 3 years later. GO THERE, I promise you won't regret it.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

The educational experience offered by Conserve School is amazing. The stellar teachers, combined with the unique, integrated environmental and ecological themes and field learning, gave our daughter an experience she will cherish for a lifetime. It truly builds character, independence and interdependence. The bonding with other inquisitive, intelligent young adults from around the country has also established a great deal of social confidence, support, and an intimate sense of engagement with the broader world. It deeply enriched her, made her a not only even more engaged but a more positive person. It also really helped mature her; she learned far more about how to be responsible for herself, live independently, take far less for granted, and enjoy life. It also of course really fostered her love of the outdoors--she now loves camping, canoeing, hiking and kayaking! It was a really wonderful experience, and the sense of mentorship and accessibility of the teachers and the administration really infused the whole atmosphere with a sense of care, and opened a doorway to how she can make a difference with this life.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Walking into Conserve School for the first time, we instantly felt at home. Campus, both grounds and buildings are large and beautiful. Teachers and administrators are helpful, encouraging and positive. Students benefit from adults who help them discover themselves and the outdoors at the same time. This experience has been and continues to be one of the most important steps my son has taken to ready himself for becoming an independent person. I can't thank the wonderful people of Conserve School enough for the experience they have provided this semester (CS8).
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

As an educator myself, I find Conserve almost too good to be true. A staff of caring well trained professionals, interested in the best for each student. Students are involved in classes and activities that challenge them and promote their individual growth. Through their time at Conserve, their sense of responsibility to themselves, fellow students, home and world is sharpened. This is an experience that, I wish, all students could have.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

Spending a semester at the Conserve School was life-changing for my daughter. She loved her time there and took every chance she could to hike, bike, and explore the gorgeous surroundings. Her favorite class was AP Environmental Science (and it prepared her well to pass the exam). Stefan (Head of School) has great insights into the college search to help families get a jump-start on the process. In a nutshell, my daughter gained confidence, learned to live graciously in community with other people and with nature, and figured out what she wanted in college. Not to mention the great memories she (we all) collected!
Submitted by student on April 08, 2014

Conserve School will change your life and views of the world. It helps shape you as a person and grow into the person you want to be. It is a place to build character and make lasting memories and connections to people and the place of Northern Wisconsin that you would never have a chance to connect to before. It's scary leaving high school for a semester, but it is well worth the adventure.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

This school changed my life. Einstein said you can't judge a fish based on it's ability to climb a tree. At my public school I felt like I was expected to learn and preform in only one way. Conserve School supported me to become the most efficient student through what ever means were necessary. And these skills which I have gained from CS are still with me in College. I owl my collegiate success to this school, it's teachers and staff, and my CS4 peers.
Submitted by student on April 08, 2014

Simply the best 4 mounts of my life, and an experience that every teenager deserves.
Submitted by student on April 08, 2014

I attended this semester school a few semesters ago, but will never forget the meaningful education and experiences that Conserve School allows for. I grew as a person in my breadth of knowledge (thanks to the fabulous teachers), and also my knowledge of self - Conserve School fosters self-understanding, exploration, and growth that is unparalleled to anywhere else.
Submitted by student on April 07, 2014

This school is a truly amazing place. It is a place where true learning takes place. It not only changed the way I looked at the world around me but how I see myself as a human being. I have always been inspired to make the word a better place but this special place has given me the tools, knowledge, confidence to do just that.
Submitted by student on April 07, 2014

Conserve school is truly a remarkable place. Through all of the hands on learning, the supportive community, and the beautiful landscape, Conserve School has inspired in youth all over the nation a passion for learning and for our earth. Attending Conserve School not only inspired in me a passion for our earth, but also an appreciation for life unlike any I had prior to my time there. Living in such a gorgeous landscape, and around such accepting and loving people produces a quality of life and happiness that I have yet to experience anywhere else. I learned to not just look at what is around me, but to really see it. To appreciate the land and think of ways to conserve it's beauty. I learned to be aware of the never ending moment. Conserve School has changed my life, and I now go forward with passion and determination to make a change in this world, because Conserve taught me to believe in myself and the people around me. Although it is only one semester, it truly can make a world of a difference. I would recommend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to everyone with a passion or love for the outdoors, and to all those without, in hopes that it will create one for you.
Submitted by other on April 07, 2014

Conserve School is by far the best experience of my high school years. The lessons and material I learned while being immersed in the great northwoods were ones that directly affect my life and have played a part in the education and career path I have now chosen. Conserve School isn't "camp" it's real, meaningful education with an environmental emphasis. One semester truly does make a difference.