YOUTH ENRICHMENT — MARIANNA, FL

Where curious kids come alive

Kids By Design is a Montessori-inspired homeschool and summer enrichment program offering hands-on academies in cultural exploration, agriculture, trades, and culinary arts — for ages 5-14.

Enroll for Spring & Summer

Now Enrolling

Spring & Summer Modules Open

Limited seats — register early!

Four Academies

Explorer • Agriscience • Doer • Culinary

Three Age Groups, from 5-14

Explore Our Academies

2026 KIDS BY DESIGN ACADEMIES

Building skills while building perspective.

Each academy at Kids By Design is focused on building critical thinking, technical, communication, and life skills.

Each module spans three age tiers, instructed in their own learning pod with their own instructor.

  • Sprouts Academy — Ages 5-7

  • Junior Academy — Ages 8-10

  • Academy — Ages 11-14

Upcoming Academies

2026 Spring Academy — April 21 - May 28

Enroll for Spring & Summer
Kids By Design News
¡Viva México! — History & Culture
¡Viva México! — History & Culture

Students of all ages are invited to discover Mexico — one of the world's most vibrant, diverse, and historically rich cultures. From ancient Aztec civilizations to colorful folk art, festive traditions, incredible food, and modern-day life, this unit brings Mexico to life through hands-on projects, creative activities, and immersive learning.

Grow Wild: Organic Farming & Permaculture — Agriscience
Grow Wild: Organic Farming & Permaculture — Agriscience

From seed to harvest, students explore the science and philosophy behind growing food with deep roots. This unit connects kids to the land — learning how healthy soil, composting, crop cycles, and sustainable design all work together to feed communities and care for our planet as one of many types of food production. Hands-on, inquiry-based, and grounded in evidence-based agricultural science.

Hook & Arrow — Archery & Fishing Primitive Skills
Hook & Arrow — Archery & Fishing Primitive Skills

Students build primitive bows and handcrafted fishing tools — lines, lures, hooks, and more — using natural materials and ancient techniques. Part history, part science, and completely hands-on, this unit connects kids to the ingenuity of early humans in the most tangible way possible: by making what they made.

The Kitchen Lab — Science and Skills of Cooking
The Kitchen Lab — Science and Skills of Cooking

The kitchen is a lab — and every recipe is an experiment waiting to happen. Students learn real prep techniques, safe food handling, and the professional habit of "mise en place", all while making things they are genuinely proud to eat.

2026 Summer Academy — June 2 - August 7

Enroll for Spring & Summer
Kids By Design News
Brazil: Rainforest to Rio — History & Culture
Brazil: Rainforest to Rio — History & Culture

From the depths of the Amazon to the energy of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a country of extraordinary contrasts — breathtaking nature, vibrant culture, and a history that spans thousands of years. Students explore it all through hands-on projects, creative activities, and immersive learning experiences designed for every age and level.

Data & Dirt — Science of Precision Agriculture
Data & Dirt — Science of Precision Agriculture

Modern farming isn't just tractors and dirt — it's satellites, sensors, and data. In this unit, students discover how today's farmers use GPS mapping, soil sensors, drone technology, and real-time data to grow more food with fewer resources. From understanding soil health at a microscopic level to seeing how a single field can be managed acre by acre, Data & Dirt connects the science of agriculture to the technology driving it forward.

Summer of Survival — Primitive Survival Skills
Summer of Survival — Primitive Survival Skills

Fire. Shelter. Water. Food. Navigation.Summer of Survival teaches students the core skills of outdoor survival through hands-on, real-world challenges designed for every age and ability level. Whether your child is just discovering the outdoors or craving a serious wilderness challenge, this academy is built for them.

Fire & Feast — BBQ, Asado, and Slow Cooking
Fire & Feast — BBQ, Asado, and Slow Cooking

Across the Americas, fire has always been at the heart of the feast. Fire & Feast explores the art of open-fire cooking — from grilling fundamentals and fire safety to the rich traditions of American BBQ and South American asado. Hands-on, cultural, and genuinely delicious at every level.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Montessori meets Main Street.

Kids By Design believes that children learn best when they're doing real things — building, growing, cooking, creating. Our enrichment program brings experiential learning into the heart of our community, connecting families with hands-on experiences that spark genuine curiosity and lasting confidence.

Our Team

Ashbi Alexander

Ashbi is a Jackson County native and recent graduate who experienced firsthand the power of hands-on, experiential learning. With a background in FFA, leadership, and business technology, she brings both passion and practical know-how to building a program that gives local kids the same opportunities that shaped her in a flexible environment.

Co-Founder

Carly Barnes Montuani

Co-Founder

Carly's work at Kids By Design is rooted in her background in entrepreneurship and education — and in a deep belief that Jackson County families deserve flexible, high-quality learning options on their own terms. She founded KBD to give local children the kind of rich, real-world education that sparks lifelong curiosity.

Shawna Ferguson

Academy Lead and Certified Teacher

Shawna brings decades of classroom experience from across the Jackson County school district, where she taught agriscience, ELA, and more at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She believes that great teaching belongs in every learning environment — and is passionate about bringing that same rigor and heart to homeschool and enrichment education.

Ruby Floyd

Learning Success Coach

Ruby's background in early childhood development and years of experience in afterschool and youth enrichment programs make her a natural fit for the Kids By Design team. She meets every learner where they are — offering the individualized support that helps children not just keep up, but truly thrive.

Request More Info to Enroll for Spring and Summer 2026!

Complete the short form below, and you will be directed to our registration page. Spots are limited to 8-12 per age group — enroll today!

Builders and Braveharts — A Review!

Builders and Bravehearts was our pilot program for Kids By Design, focusing on an immersive journey through the castles, clans, and guilds of the British Isles. Enjoy snapshots of fun learning moments from this program.

 Kids By Design — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kids By Design offers modules 5-6 times per year, ranging in 6-12 weeks. Each module includes the following academies: Explorer, Agriscience, Doer and Culinary.

  • We serve the following age ranges:

    • Sprouts - Ages 5-7 (4 year olds are enrolled on a case-by-case basis.)

    • Juniors - Ages 8-10

    • Academy - Ages 11-14

  • Each class is 75 minutes long, and meets twice per week for a set number of weeks. Classes meet in small groups, with an emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning led by an experienced instructor.

  • Subjects vary based on each cohort theme, but our enrichment program generally focuses on STEM, humanities, logic, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

  • Unlike a traditional co-op, our programs are curated and led by certified educators and trained facilitators. Families don’t have to plan or teach classes—we take care of the curriculum, materials, and instruction so you can focus on supporting your child’s growth.

  • Classes are offered in Historic Downtown Marianna, convenient to local parks and other activities. Kids By Design’s HQ is at 4425 Lafayette Street in Marianna.

  • Click the “Enroll Now” button to register for your preferred classes.

  • Each cohort and class may have different pricing. Class costs are inclusive of materials.

  • We are only offering 12 spots per age group for our upcoming cohorts, so we are not offering family discounts at this time.

  • We honor the family values of our community by fostering an environment rooted in character, curiosity, and respect. While not overtly religious, our programs align naturally with many faith- and family-centered homeschool households.

  • Yes. Parents are able to utilize the co-working space during Kids By Design class hours, but we encourage parents to maintain some separation so that students are able to learn and participate independently with their peer group.