Frequently asked questions
Common questions about The Chestnut Tree
Quick answers about admissions, fees, our pedagogy, and daily life at the school. For anything else, get in touch.
What kind of school is The Chestnut Tree?
The Chestnut Tree is an international, trilingual (English, Catalan, Spanish) socio-ecological forest school in Llinars del Vallès, at the foot of the Montseny Biosphere Reserve, half an hour from Barcelona. Children from 1 to 15 years old (Pre-Kindergarten through Secondary/ESO) learn largely outdoors, following our own Socio-Eco Pedagogy.
How is The Chestnut Tree different from Montessori or Waldorf schools?
The Chestnut Tree is not a Montessori or Waldorf school, though it shares some values with both — child-led learning, respect for developmental stages, and hands-on experience. Our own Socio-Eco Pedagogy is built around four dimensions (Social, Ecological, Economic, and Cosmovision) and four pillars (Care for Oneself, Others, Nature, and the Future), developed with the mentorship of naturalist Dr. Martí Boada Juncà, with outdoor, nature-based learning as the everyday norm rather than a supplementary activity.
What ages does the school accept?
We welcome children from 1 to 15 years old, across four stages: Pre-Kindergarten/Nursery, Primary Education, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary (ESO).
What is the student-teacher ratio?
Our student-teacher ratio is 1:8.
What languages are used at the school?
The Chestnut Tree is trilingual: English, Catalan, and Spanish.
Where is the school located, and how far is it from Barcelona?
The school is at Can Ramonet, Sant Joan de Sanata, Llinars del Vallès, Barcelona, at the foot of the Montseny Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park — about half an hour from Barcelona by car.
What are the school hours?
The school day runs from 09:00 to 16:00 (Secondary students until 14:00), with gates open from 08:30 for arrivals.
How do I enroll my child?
Admissions start with an in-person visit, not a form. Book a visit through our website, meet the teaching team, and see a real morning at the school. After your visit, we send you the application pack. See our Admissions page for details.
What are the school fees?
Fees vary by year group and are shared directly with families, since we offer solidarity-based support for different circumstances. Contact us for the current fee schedule.
Does the school offer financial aid or scholarships?
Yes. Our Solidarity Fund supports scholarship places for families, funded partly through community contributions, with a dedicated emergency reserve. See our Donating page for details.
Who is Dr. Martí Boada, and what is his connection to the school?
Dr. Martí Boada Juncà is one of Catalonia's most recognised environmental scientists and naturalists, deeply connected to the Montseny massif. He has mentored The Chestnut Tree's founders since 2022, and the school's Ruta Sentinelles del Bosc interpretive trail honours his influence on our Socio-Eco Pedagogy.
Is the school affiliated with UNESCO?
Yes, The Chestnut Tree is a member of the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership, integrating climate and sustainability thinking throughout school life.
Can we visit the school before enrolling?
Yes — we strongly encourage it. Book a visit or join an Open Doors ('Portes Obertes') morning through our Book a Visit page to see a real class in session.
Does The Chestnut Tree offer workshops for other schools or groups?
Yes, we run nature workshops for visiting school groups and teacher training programmes, from half-day sessions to a 3-month programme. See our Workshops page for the full list.
How can I volunteer or work at The Chestnut Tree?
We welcome volunteers and staff through several community committees (Celebrations & Welcome, Infrastructure, Kitchen, Excursions) as well as occasional teaching vacancies. See our Staff & Volunteering page.
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