About Us
The Lupine School started as a nature-based farm preschool in 2018 and after a great demand from the community, added a Kindergarten class in 2023. The demand to add more grades persisted, so a group of teachers, parents, and members of the community formed the nonprofit Lupine Community School to continue to expand the inclusive, student-centered education model to include preschool through fifth grade.
We provide an inclusive, Reggio Emilia-inspired nature-based experience where children interact with the plants and animals on the farm, and have the opportunity to build relationships with the natural world. Our work at the school is rooted in research-driven best practices for education.
Meet Our Founder
Amy Magrinat
I founded Lupine in 2018 with a belief that there could be a more joyful, connected way for children to learn. After working in several early childhood settings, I wanted to create an environment that honored children as capable and curious individuals—one where learning could unfold through relationships, exploration, nature, and the world around them.
What began as a small nature-based preschool on a local farm has grown alongside the families and community it serves. As interest in the program grew, Lupine expanded into elementary education and eventually became the nonprofit Lupine Community School. Today, as Founder and Director, I have the privilege of guiding that growth while working with our teachers, families, and community to ensure that Lupine remains inclusive, child-centered, research-driven, and deeply connected to the natural world.
I hold a Master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention, and Family Support, as well as a B.A. in Psychology from NC State. I am a certified nature-based educator through ERAFANS and a certified Wunderled educator. Before entering the field of early childhood education, I also worked in the music industry and holistic health—experiences that continue to influence the creative and whole-child perspective I bring to my work.
Even the name Lupine reflects the heart behind the school. It was inspired by one of my favorite childhood books, Miss Rumphius, and its message that each of us can do something to make the world a little more beautiful. That remains my hope for Lupine: to create a place where children feel known and valued, develop compassion for one another and the natural world, and grow into curious, confident people who believe they can make a difference.
Outside of school, I love gardening, live music, hiking, traveling, and spending time with my husband, Tommy, our children, Walker Blue and Aubrey, and our wonderfully full household of animals.
