Discover the Sugar Maple Experience
All children, regardless of home school district, specific needs, or income, are eligible for this tuition-free public school. Sugar Maple Nature School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade, and is in the process of expanding up to 8th grade. The public charter school is authorized by the Northern Ozaukee School District.
Tour our school
Our school’s natural setting at Hawthorne Hills County Park, located at 2200 Hawthorne Hills Camp Rd., Saukville, WI is open to the public. We have recently opened our new school building at the county park. Please contact us if interested in an in person tour of our school.
School Lottery
A school lottery system is a fair process used to determine student enrollment when applications exceed available spaces. Parents submit applications within a specified time frame, and all eligible applicants are entered into a random selection pool. Students are chosen randomly to fill the available spots, with remaining applicants placed on a waitlist in the order they are drawn. This system ensures equal opportunity for all families to access the school, eliminating biases and giving each applicant an equal chance of being selected.
Contact us if you have any questions on our upcoming 2025-2026 school year lottery.
How to Enroll Your Child
Please review this important information about the school year, prior to enrolling your student:
Monday through Thursday is in person instruction at the school building located in the county park, and on the parks many trails and natural spaces. Drop off is between 8:20 and 8:30 a.m. After school pick up is between 3:35 and 3:45 p.m. Fridays consist of virtual instruction off-campus. Virtual instruction includes a virtual all school topic meeting and independent schoolwork and activities. Many PTO sponsored clubs/events are offered on Friday afternoons, such as Ski Club at Sunburst in January, Rock Climbing Club, and Archery Club. Some school work and activities are online and some are traditional paper/pencil. Our focus continues to be high quality in person, nature-based outdoor learning.
Enrollment Application
Complete Enrollment Application for each child and return it to Sugar Maple Nature School in person, via email or via mail as soon as possible. Paper copies of the Sugar Maple Nature School applications are available at our office.
Non-Northern Ozaukee School District
If you are a family who does not live in the Northern Ozaukee School District (NOSD) and are open-enrolling to the system, you must complete the ONLINE Regular Open Enrollment Application during the application period: February 3 – April 30, 2025.
Late Enrollment
Via our website or a school tour, familiarize yourself with how our school works, and if you have determined we are a great fit complete the Enrollment Application and the Alternative Open Enrollment Application through the Department of Public Instruction if you live outside of Ozaukee County.
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“We are new to the school this year and one of my favorite parts has been the welcoming, close-knit community of families and staff with shared interests. The seasonal community activities are also really unique and special. My son is already missing school during summer vacation. As former homeschoolers, I’m very satisfied with the hands-on style of learning and deep dives on important topics. There is also a lot of time and care spent on social-emotional well-being and meeting children where they’re at.”
– Parent of Student
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
The Sugar Maple Nature School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.