Outdoor Classrooms Progressing Across ICCSD

The Iowa City Community School District continues on schedule in its initiative to build outdoor classrooms at every school across the district. Construction will begin on five new spaces this school year, adding to the 12 spaces that are already in place or underway. 

As more outdoor classrooms are put into use, Grounds Manager Ben Grimm says the projects have already begun to serve their educational and aesthetic purpose on campus. 

“The idea is to add a new kind of learning environment to what is already offered,” said Grimm. “Outdoor classrooms are meant to help students relax and engage with their learning.”

Grimm says the spaces are intended to foster activity and conversation rather than desk work. Many spaces incorporate irregular seating, such as stumps and rock, as well as unique classroom features like easels, activity tables, shade shelters, and stages. The spaces also aim to bring students closer to the natural world. 

“We really want to incorporate nature and the existing topography,” said Grimm. “The plants we use are native and visually interesting, but also tactile in terms of touch and smell.”

Grimm also celebrates student involvement in the project. High school construction classes assist in the fabrication of shade structures, desks, and other classroom features. Elementary students are often engaged in planting the flower beds.

Construction is timed to align with high school schedules. 

“If high school students want to see what it is like when professionals form up, dye, and pour concrete, they can witness that firsthand,” said Grimm. “When they go that extra step to help us build structures in class, they can know they did a real public service for kids in their community.”

Teams at each school were tasked with weighing design components within a set budget. Each outdoor classroom is unique in part because schools select them for different curricular purposes, ranging from science labs to art and music workshops. 

The project is funded through the ICCSD Facilities Master Plan. Design teams included a mix of perspectives with teachers leading the way. 

“When it comes to athletic facilities, coaches tend to have the most input,” said Grimm. “With outdoor classrooms, we wanted teachers to have the biggest say. These spaces serve an educational purpose, first and foremost.”

Other visual features, such as shade structures, vary in style so as to beautify each campus in a way that looks cohesive. At the same time, all schools are held to the universal design criteria to ensure accessibility.

“In many instances, these spaces will double as common spaces or playgrounds when they are not in use,” said Grimm. “These spaces can serve each campus in multiple ways. Each outdoor classroom is unique, but they share basic elements.”

At Kirkwood Elementary, second-grade teacher Analaura Acord saw an opportunity to upgrade an existing educational initiative. In the Kirkwood Garden Club, students grow vegetables of their choice as part of an ongoing lesson that combines biology, environmental science, and practical culinary skills.

Students also learn perseverance, tending the garden each day during recess and meeting weekly for other hands-on tasks.  

The Eagles’ outdoor classroom serves as their new and improved garden. Positioned by the front entrance and playground, it features a new gazebo and pavilion surrounded by planters, work tables, a rainwater collection device, and other learning tools. 

Acord has watched the club grow from a simple science lesson into a decade-long tradition.

“A lot of kindergarteners and first graders get really excited that they are almost old enough to join Garden Club,” said Acord. “It is a lesson that kids can connect with all throughout elementary school and run with for a lifetime of learning.”

Acord says the outdoor classroom makes Garden Club more accessible for students with disabilities, a significant upgrade from the previous garden at Kirkwood. She hopes the new tools, ornamentation, and location will grow and preserve the school tradition. 

“Every school is different, so having their voice be heard as to what that outdoor space looks like is really important,” said Acord. “Our school really loves to garden. That was something integral for us to have out here.”