Curriculum: The Garden Project

The Santa Ynez Valley Charter School Garden Project began in 2008 with parent, teacher and student volunteers. We saw an empty field behind our school that had the potential to be so much more! It has become a wonderful Learning Garden and Outdoor Classroom, and a magnet for all of us who love to be outside.

Our Garden provides us with healthy food, and also the unique opportunity to learn about how food is grown, where it comes from, how important the soil is, and all the other things we need like worms, sunshine and rain. 
Garden Project Seedlings:
  • Almost 2 acres of organic vegetables, raised beds, a fruit orchard, heirloom apple trees, and an Outdoor Classroom
  • A Garden Educator, providing over 30 weeks of instruction during the school year for grades K-8 based on California Science Curriculum, National Standards, and includes Art, Math and Language Arts
  • Provides organic fruits and vegetables to the lunch program and students and families
  • The Kids' Garden club: an alternative activity at recess, 4 days/week
  • Student-Led Community Service: students can choose a project with their class or volunteer in the garden after school or on designated weekends
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Our Garden Project Sponsors

SYVCS Garden Wish List - Click here to down load!

Special Projects

The Zen Garden - 2009-Present
Our 8th Grade students developed an area into a peaceful Zen Garden. Surrounded by heirloom apple trees, it has become a favorite place for students to take a break or enjoy a quiet conversation.

Certified Monarch Butterfly Waystations - 2009-Present
Three areas of the garden are designed specifically for butterflies and contain at least 5 varieties of milkweed, the host plant for Monarch butterflies. 

International Bee Studies - 2009-Present
Our students plant a variety of sunflowers for the bees. They especially like the Lemon Queen variety! On designated days, we count our bee visitors and send the data to The Great Sunflower Project.

Council Circle - 2010-Present
Our 5th Graders designed and created our Council Circle. This is a meeting place within our garden for all students to celebrate themselves and each other; to practice listening to one another; and a place for exploring attitudes, expectations, myths, and misconceptions.