Middle School

Black Pine Circle School (BPC), an independent K-8 school in Berkeley, California, creates lifelong learners through an inquiry-based Socratic education that places equal emphasis on academics and the arts.

BPC's garden program started in 1997 with the hiring of a dedicated garden and landscape worker who expanded her role (and created the garden program) by collaborating with teachers to bring garden and environmental education to the school's students. She also supported the installation of recycling and composting infrastructure around the school. 

In 2015 - 2016, Happy Tillers Garden Club staff and students collaborated to design, build, construct, and implement an extended school year organic gardening program. An indoor nursery was created to raise the seedlings, which were transplanted in April and May. Every child planted a seed in the spring, so that when they returned in the fall they could witness a physical manifestation of our school community. Produce was donated to the New Trier Township Food Pantry to support the nutrition of local residents.

St. Jude’s, a private school in Mississauga,  strives to prepare each child for high school, university and for life. Our core character values are responsibility and achievement balanced by caring and respect for one's self and for others. St. Jude’s is committed to small classes and small overall size, which allows for discovery and development of each student's unique talents and passions, while providing more opportunities for individual participation. St. Jude's is an IB World school.

We have a school garden and orchard that we are improving this year.  It was about 300 square meters and we are going to make it close to 400 square meters this weekend.  I take my 7/8 graders out every Friday. We have teamed up with 3,4, and 6 th grade classes at the start of this year and are looking to get every student involved.