The School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) Garden Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about the natural world, food systems, and health through gardening and cooking classes. All 350 K-5th grade students are required to attend a 35 minute weekly gardening class in the school's 1/3 acre garden, as a part of their Special Areas class schedule. Gardening class focuses strongly on food production; teaching students the skills to grow, care for, and harvest their own food. Students participate in regular cooking classes in the school's kitchen classroom where they are able to practice their cooking skills while preparing healthy recipes that incorporate foods from the garden. The garden is also used by the 75 Middle School students and 60 staff members and their families. Cooking classes are also provided to Middle School students as a 6 week extension course. Students come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, representing all areas of Tallahassee; 14% of students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Student ethnic make-up is 63% white, 21% African American, 7% Asian/Pacific Islander, 5% Latino/Hispanic, .5% Native American, and 3.5% Mulit-ethnic.