Overview REAL School Gardens creates learning gardens that grow successful students. We work with low-income elementary schools to build learning gardens and spend three years training teachers to use the garden to improve their core academic instruction.
REAL School Gardens Programs We maximize resources by customizing our offerings to each school’s needs. Big Dig Program – We unite the school community and funding partners to build a learning garden in one day. We also provide three years of professional development, on-the-job training, and standards-based lesson plans. Enhancement Program – We add key features to existing school gardens before providing our three-year Teacher Training Program. Evergreen Program -- After the first three years, schools can pay to receive ongoing garden assistance, instruction, and curriculum support.
REAL Results REAL School Gardens has 10+ years of experience in the field with proven results. An external evaluation conducted by PEER Associates found that: 94% of teachers see increased student engagement in lessons 92% of teachers report being better prepared to help students achieve Our teacher training doubles teacher effectiveness and job satisfaction Recent partner schools see 58% of their teachers using the garden regularly Additional program analysis has also found that: Partner schools have seen standardized test pass rates increase between 12% 15%, with the largest increases in Science. 97% of REAL school gardens are well-used and well-maintained long term.
REAL Results Join REAL School Gardens in the Mid-Atlantic Region and you will impact: 30 schools – Build 20 learning gardens and improve 10 more 1,200 teachers – Provide 350+ contact hours of job-skills training per school 20,000 children – Boost comprehension in key academic subjects 3,500 parent and corporate volunteers – Unite communities around kids
Planning and Budgeting Year # # of Big Dig Partners # of Enhance/Train Partners $ Design/ Construction $ Teacher Training $ Capacity Building Yearly Cost Per Student Revenue School District Fees Jenesis Group Match To Be Raised Total Yearly Investment
1 5 3
2 7 4
3 8 3
Total # and 20 @$80k = 10 @ $25k =
Total $ $1,600k $250k
20@$15k + 10@$10k =
$400k $100k