About Us
Meet our founders and get to know more about us.
Who we are.
At Wildwood Independent School, we believe learning is an adventure shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature. We encourage children to explore, ask questions, and discover new ideas through hands-on experiences and meaningful projects.
We see relationships—with friends, teachers, and the natural world—as essential to growth. We practice open communication based on empathy, respect, and understanding. Here, your feelings matter, and your voice is valued.
Our school focuses on more than just academics—we support your whole self. Learning at Wildwood is influenced equally by you, our community, and the environment around us. Together, we explore the outdoors, engage with our community, and dive into exciting lessons that connect what we learn to the world we live in.
Our goal is to help you build a lifelong love of learning, a strong connection to nature, and the confidence to navigate the world with curiosity, kindness, and resilience. At Wildwood, every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and create unforgettable experiences.
Words from our Founder & Director
Wildwood Learning was born from a deep desire to create an inspiring, nature-connected place for children to learn. After my daughter experienced a traditional BC public school setting in Kindergarten, we enrolled her in a forest-based program in North Vancouver. Watching her thrive in a hands-on, outdoor learning environment confirmed our belief that education rooted in nature could nurture both mind and heart. When we moved to the Sunshine Coast, we knew we wanted her education to continue in the natural world.
Our Vision for the Future
We are now taking the next step in our journey: applying to the BC Ministry of Education to become a certified independent school. This transition will allow us to provide a more structured educational experience while maintaining our commitment to creativity, curiosity, and nature-based learning. By becoming an independent school, we will be able to offer formal recognition of our students’ educational achievements while preserving the heart and spirit of Wildwood Learning.
Our Dream
Our ultimate vision is to build a school that inspires children to learn with joy and curiosity while developing resilience, empathy, and a deep connection to the natural world. We hope to model an approach to education that other communities can adopt and adapt, fostering a global movement toward meaningful, hands-on learning.
Becoming a certified independent school will allow us to expand our programs, welcome more families, and continue nurturing young learners in ways that honor their potential and our planet. The adventure continues!
Katie Shindler
Abbie Crompton (she/her)
Founding Principal
Abbie Crompton is an experienced and dynamic educator passionate about fostering curiosity, creativity, and resilience in students. She holds a Certificate of Qualification and has taught in the Burnaby, Sunshine Coast, and Qathet/Powell River School Districts. Abbie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative and Critical Thinking from UBC and completed her Education Degree at Simon Fraser University in 2019, where she was trained on the new BC Curriculum.
Abbie brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique teaching style that blends experiential learning with academic excellence. She is a maker, connector, and explorer, driven by a deep curiosity for how things work and a love of the outdoors.
Abbie’s teaching philosophy centers on nurturing students’ natural curiosity and helping them build problem-solving skills through hands-on learning. She creates a classroom environment where students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and learn through the process—not just focus on the final product. Her approach emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and resilience, essential skills for lifelong learning.
As Founding Teaching Principal of Wildwood Independent School, Abbie is excited to shape an innovative learning community that integrates outdoor education, project-based learning, and student-driven exploration. Her leadership will be instrumental in developing a school culture where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Katie Shindler (she/her)
Founder. Director.
Katie has a long history of entrepreneurship. She trained and sold horses as a teenager and young adult, operated a trail riding business and started a horse-drawn sleigh company in Whistler. She is happiest when bringing together her love of entrepreneurship with her love of animals and the outdoors.
As her career developed, she became an early member of a tech start-up. She worked with top government and global companies to set up their social media strategy and security.
Since relocating to the Sunshine Coast, Katie has reconnected with her love of dirt, animals and all things outdoors. She spends her spare time with her family, chickens and horses or in her garden.
Wildwood Learning combines Katie’s natural ability to bring people together and strong desire to provide unforgettable educational experiences for her children and others in her community.
“My hope is that through a connection to nature, we will set our children up to heal our planet and communities.”
Where we learn.
Our New Home: Camp Douglas, Roberts Creek
Starting in September 2025, we will be moving into a new location at Camp Douglas in Roberts Creek. Nestled in the forest, close to the beach, and directly on the bus route between Gibsons and Sechelt, this location offers an ideal learning environment. The site’s large, naturally lit learning spaces and access to trails, forests, and beaches align perfectly with our outdoor-focused, experiential learning model.
