Public, Private, and Charter School Case Studies
EXAMPLES WRITTEN AND RecordED BY OUR INITIATIVE
The National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative has been documenting schools’ experiences with moving their classes and programs outdoors during the pandemic using two different approaches: 1) We are creating a series of written case study articles that include photographs, videos, and links to resources the schools used to get their programs up and running, and 2) We are inviting many schools to share their work, their planning processes, and their insights about their outdoor learning programs during our Community of Practice meetings. The recorded presentations are posted on our YouTube channel and some are linked below.
Many of the schools profiled below are using their outdoor spaces year-round, in a wide variety of weather conditions and temperatures, with PK-12 students of all ages. They are creating engaging outdoor learning environments, eating school meals outdoors, and improving well-being for students and teachers through the positive experiences outside. Many of the schools that tried outdoor programming for the first time during the pandemic are reporting that their school communities have found being outside so enjoyable and effective at improving learning and health, that they plan to continue using outdoor spaces for some aspects of their permanent programming in the years to come.
We hope you enjoy reading the case studies, watching the videos, using the resources the schools have shared—and that you enjoy looking through all of the photos of happy, healthy children engaged in outdoor programming at school!
© Golestan Education
California —
Golestan Education
Golestan is an independent school that serves 100 children in PreK-3rd grade. They developed a robust COVID-19 safety protocol with health experts, and have been open since June 2020. Click here to view a presentation reporting on one year outside.
California —
Kingsley Elementary School
Kingsley Elementary serves 365 students in TK-5th grade in Los Angeles, California. This public school received a grant from Green Schoolyards America to establish an outdoor learning pilot program during the pandemic. Click here to watch a recorded presentation given by the school’s principal at a webinar for the California Department of Education.
© LIZ TOMASHEFSKY, LA VERNE PARENT PARTICIPATION PRESCHOOL
California —
La Verne Parent Participation Preschool
LVPPP is a small but mighty early education center in southern California who did not shy away from outdoor learning. The young students are outside ALL day—something they, teachers and families have come to love and want to continue beyond the pandemic.
© PARK DAY SCHOOL
California —
Park Day School
Park Day School, an independent school in Oakland, California, serves 275 students in grades K-8 on a lush 4 acre campus. 92% of students now attend school in-person, using outdoor classrooms 50-100% of the time.
© Maria de la Paz Beltrán, Briya Public Charter SChool
District of Columbia —
Briya Public Charter School
Bryia is a bilingual, two generation charter preschool, located in DC. Click here to watch a recorded presentation given by Briya’s Director of Early Childhood Education and Senior Director of Early Childhood.
© The Waldorf School of Dupage
Illinois —
Waldorf School of DuPage
The Waldorf School of DuPage, in the Chicago area, serves ~100 PreK-8 students. They opened in early September 2020 for in-person learning and plan to be learning outside through the winter.
New Mexico —
Navajo Preparatory School
In this recorded presentation, students and a staff member at Navajo Prep shared their planning and design process for a new, culturally significant outdoor learning space on their school grounds.
© Tricia Drake
Tennessee —
Linden Waldorf School
Linden Waldorf serves 200 K-8 students in Nashville, Tennessee. They have always prioritized outdoor learning, but made the leap to be more than 95% outdoors in the 2020-21 school year, with 100% of their students.
© GARDNER SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Washington State —
The Gardner Schools of Arts and Sciences
This small school serving about 100 students Preschool through 6th grade, has embraced outdoor learning opportunities that will continue into the future!
National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative
The National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative supports schools and districts around the country in their efforts to safely and equitably remain open during the pandemic by using outdoor spaces as strategic, cost-effective solutions to provide access to abundant fresh air. We are helping educational institutions respond to the COVID-crisis while also making long-term investments in outdoor learning and schoolyard greening that can be used improve learning, mental and physical health, and happiness for children and adults for years to come.
