ESYNOLA, Arthur Ashe Charter School

At Arthur Ashe Charter School students eat their lunch while gazing out a picture frame of gorgeous, native and exotic shade plants, showcasing the school's kitchen herb and flower garden. Stepping out into the garden to pick a bouquet of flowers or a sprig of rosemary, the school community delights in the monarchs and swallow tails dancing about, and a flash of green and purple from a dragonfly's wing will draw their attention to the lush rain garden and pond situated at the low point of the landscape. With a culinary garden just outside a full wall of windows in the school cafe, every single teacher, staff person, and student at Arthur Ashe experiences the beauty of growing throughout their school day.

The school, which finished construction in 2012, has sophisticated teaching kitchen and garden classrooms for ESYNOLA's science-based curricula. A one-acre teaching and production garden is being developed behind the school, including an outdoor classroom and greenhouse.