Animal & Nature Studies

Meet Some of Our Barnyard Friends

The Oxnard Street campus is home to our Science & Nature Center. Students have dedicated class time in the barnyard, outdoor classroom, aviary, reptile house, Rabbitat, and hoofstock area, hands-on with over 75 animals. The curriculum focuses on learning about animals, ecology, animal husbandry, and evolution and genetics. The program culminates in upper elementary with a year-long evolution simulation that takes students on an immersive journey through everything they have learned. Studying and caring for animals under the direction of our Animal & Nature Studies specialists helps our students develop a sense of responsibility and respect for all living things. 

Animal & Nature Studies

Elementary (TK through fifth grade)
The Life Science program is taught through hands-on learning with specialist teachers in the Science & Nature Center.

Topics Include:

  • Basic Animal Knowledge

  • Animal Care

  • Ecology

  • Genetics & Evolution

Preschool

Oxnard Street Campus
Students in preschool at the Oxnard Street campus have a weekly class in the barnyard where they learn about and interact with the animals. 

Collins Street Campus
The Collins Street campus has its own Rabbitat, and throughout the year, students participate in field trips to the Science & Nature Center.

The Science & Nature Center is on Instagram

See what we have been up to: instagram.com/whpschool_barnyard.

Some bunny came to visit the animals today! @whpschool
Some bunny came to visit the animals today! @whpschool
It's Shamrocks' birthday today, but everyone wanted to help celebrate! @whpschool
It's Shamrocks' birthday today, but everyone wanted to help celebrate! @whpschool
Everyone was enjoying the sunshine after the rain yesterday. @whpschool
Everyone was enjoying the sunshine after the rain yesterday. @whpschool
Shamrock is tongue out Tuesdaying, and Crick is asleep in his food dish while I cleaned and organized the food shed.
Shamrock is tongue out Tuesdaying, and Crick is asleep in his food dish while I cleaned and organized the food shed.
What do you do on Tuesday. Shamrock is tongue out tuesdaying while Crick is sleeping in his food while I cleaned and reorganized the food shed.
What do you do on Tuesday. Shamrock is tongue out tuesdaying while Crick is sleeping in his food while I cleaned and reorganized the food shed.
A Fun Fact for the middle of the week! Quito here is demonstrating the “Flehman Response”, something that animals do to be able to smell better! 🐽 Swipe to see some fun facts and examples! #flehmanresponse #barnyard #funfact
A Fun Fact for the middle of the week! Quito here is demonstrating the “Flehman Response”, something that animals do to be able to smell better! 🐽 Swipe to see some fun facts and examples! #flehmanresponse #barnyard #funfact
Happy Halloween from the Barnyard! 🎃Everyone is soooooo spooky 👻 We made sure to put the names on all the pictures because how else would you be able to tell who they are in their costumes??? 😂 It may sound silly, but a lot of trust and love go in
Happy Halloween from the Barnyard! 🎃Everyone is soooooo spooky 👻 We made sure to put the names on all the pictures because how else would you be able to tell who they are in their costumes??? 😂 It may sound silly, but a lot of trust and love go into photos like these and we feel so lucky we have animals that are willing to participate 🧡🖤 We hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! #barnyard #cow #donkey #miniaturehorse #rabbits #chicken #happyhalloween
What you’re seeing here is a little bit of a miracle! 😍 Crick, our oldest and smallest goat, is known to be not a huge fan of being touched. We always say, “you can try, but he will probably say no thank you!” ✋ Well today, he said
What you’re seeing here is a little bit of a miracle! 😍 Crick, our oldest and smallest goat, is known to be not a huge fan of being touched. We always say, “you can try, but he will probably say no thank you!” ✋ Well today, he said, “yes please!” for the first time since I’ve known him! Today’s class was calm and respectful and so gentle with our grumpy guy and they got the reward of a lifetime! Seeing animals and students learning from each other and feeling each other’s energy is really special and we are so happy that Crick gave pets a try today! Yay Crick! 🖤 #goats #school #barnyard #yay #learningtogether
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the barnyard to visit our festive animals! They always love visitors! 🍂🍁🎃 #fallfestival #fall #barnyard #cute
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the barnyard to visit our festive animals! They always love visitors! 🍂🍁🎃 #fallfestival #fall #barnyard #cute
The reptile room donation signs are up! 🦎🐍They are up and ready to be seen in the barnyard during the Fall Festival! Thank you to Image Source for their fantastic work, the signs turned out so cute! And thank you to all of YOU 🫵 who made this poss
The reptile room donation signs are up! 🦎🐍They are up and ready to be seen in the barnyard during the Fall Festival! Thank you to Image Source for their fantastic work, the signs turned out so cute! And thank you to all of YOU 🫵 who made this possible 🦎❤️ We truly could not have done this without you, we are so thankful to have such fantastic parent support and parent association ❤️ See you at the festival! 🍁🍂 #barnyard #reptile #thankyou
Some bunny came to visit the animals today! @whpschool It's Shamrocks' birthday today, but everyone wanted to help celebrate! @whpschool Everyone was enjoying the sunshine after the rain yesterday. @whpschool Shamrock is tongue out Tuesdaying, and Crick is asleep in his food dish while I cleaned and organized the food shed. What do you do on Tuesday. Shamrock is tongue out tuesdaying while Crick is sleeping in his food while I cleaned and reorganized the food shed. A Fun Fact for the middle of the week! Quito here is demonstrating the “Flehman Response”, something that animals do to be able to smell better! 🐽 Swipe to see some fun facts and examples! #flehmanresponse #barnyard #funfact Happy Halloween from the Barnyard! 🎃Everyone is soooooo spooky 👻 We made sure to put the names on all the pictures because how else would you be able to tell who they are in their costumes??? 😂 It may sound silly, but a lot of trust and love go in What you’re seeing here is a little bit of a miracle! 😍 Crick, our oldest and smallest goat, is known to be not a huge fan of being touched. We always say, “you can try, but he will probably say no thank you!” ✋ Well today, he said Thank you to everyone who stopped by the barnyard to visit our festive animals! They always love visitors! 🍂🍁🎃 #fallfestival #fall #barnyard #cute The reptile room donation signs are up! 🦎🐍They are up and ready to be seen in the barnyard during the Fall Festival! Thank you to Image Source for their fantastic work, the signs turned out so cute! And thank you to all of YOU 🫵 who made this poss