Read "For D.C. students, lessons in growth, of the garden variety" in The Washington Post to learn about our school garden program that includes our edible food forest.
Thanks to our talented School Garden Coordinator, Ryoko Yamamoto, Capital City provides all students across PK - 12th grades hands-on learning experiences in our school garden spaces. Ryoko helped secure funding from the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Division to be the first – and currently only – school in the District to plant an edible food forest.
Head of School Karen Dresden has emphasized the importance of green experiences since our school was founded in 2000. "Folks who design schools design the interior spaces. There’s often not as much intentionality with the exterior space," she told the Washington Post. "That’s a missed opportunity in terms of what the outside can offer as a classroom."
Ryoko works with teachers across grades to give students age-appropriate experiences that build both a passion for the environment and support what they are learning in the classroom. First graders, for example, complete an in-depth study on the importance of honey bees. Morgan Grubbs, 1st Grade Teacher, already sees how the growing food forest connects to her students’ learning. "Now that there’s more food out here, they can eat things that were pollinated by honey bees, which is awesome," Morgan is quoted in the article.
Photo credit: Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
High School Environmental Science and Urban Ecology Teacher Ellen Royse sees similar connections to the garden program. Her students studied the site before the food forest was planted and will continue to use the space to learn how to measure and track "environmental quality." These experiences empower students to become environmental advocates and spark interest in possible careers.
11th grader Nuri told the Washington Post, "Right now, the environment’s in crisis...That concerns me."
Read the full article to learn more about our School Garden Coordinator and program.