Mountains and Meadow Schoolhouse is:
A female-owned and operated, nature-rooted learning community on a working homestead in Liberty, SC. Inspired by Appalachian simple living, we blend Waldorf rhythms, Reggio Emilia exploration, and nature-based unit studies that honor traditional skills and connection to the land, giving children ages 4-15 a place to learn, play, and grow in harmony with the mountains.
Mountains and Meadow is specifically designed for:
- Homeschooling families seeking enriched, part-time drop-off options (Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-2:30)
- Parents wanting a secular, nature-based learning experience rooted in traditional skills
- Families looking for an affordable, nurturing community
- Children who thrive outdoors, in small groups, and through hands-on exploration
Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the valleys in between, our schoolhouse area provides daily access to:
- Completely fenced outdoor learning space for safety
- Medicinal herb gardens
- Fruit and vegetable gardens
- Goats, chickens, ducks, and a pig
- Nature play spaces for younger children: mud kitchen, weaving station, music wall, slide, jungle gym dome, and playhouse
- Dedicated teen hangout space with hammocks, table tennis, giant Jenga, chess, outdoor games, and construction area
- Small class sizes: 18 students, 3 teachers
- Learning rooted in Appalachian traditions: homesteading skills, seasonal rhythms, and heritage crafts
Meet The Teachers
Candace Richardson
Shiyo Nigad (Hello Everyone). My name is Candace. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in literature, and I’ve worked in education and childcare since 2018 — primarily in special education, homeschool co-ops, and therapy settings.
I’m also an author and curriculum writer who creates books and resources for learning the Cherokee language. I sit on the board at The Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina, where I also teach Cherokee language classes. Coming from an Indigenous and neurodiverse family, I bring that perspective into my teaching and curriculum design. I specialize in Cherokee language and culture, as well as language arts.
Outside of that, my special interests include dinosaurs, musicals, and creating art.
Favorite dinosaur: Baryonyx.
Milan Rounds
Hi! I’m Milan. I’m a 33 year old mother of four wild daughters, married to my college sweetheart. I began my homeschooling journey in 2015 when I had my firstborn. I decided that I enjoyed the freedoms and the one on one experience I had with her, leading me to only further my teaching journey.
In 2022 I began teaching as a homesteading/science and English instructor at Grounding Roots co-op, have taught various subjects to children ages 9 and up at Carolina Kids Co-Op, and opened Mountains and Meadow Schoolhouse for one semester in January of 2024!
A few fun facts about me: I’m Cuban-American and fluent in Spanish, I had all my babies at home, and I love football and have gone to a Super Bowl!
Favorite dinosaur: a chicken
Helen McLane
Hi, I’m Helen, and I’m thrilled to meet our new families! I’m originally from Charleston, SC, but I’ve also lived in Washington, North Carolina, Georgia, and California. I now call the Upstate home, where I’m close to family and enjoying life with my husband and daughter.
I’ve had a blast working with kids in various after-school programs and teaching at Carolina Kids Co-Op. In my free time, you can find me exploring nature, sipping coffee, thrifting, making art or checking out haunted houses.
Favorite dinosaur: Ankylosaurus