waco — Parents, faculty, and students at Brook Avenue Elementary school are working hard to turn things around after becoming one of five schools facing closure for failing test scores.
For months, it's been all hands on deck at the school, and now they've made the goal of an outdoor classroom and garden a reality.
Christy Perkins has two children who attend Brooke Avenue Elementary. She has no prior experience with gardening but had a vision to help students grow one at the school.
"I just want them to learn about the beauty of growing your own food and how it's more healthy,” Perkins said. “I want them to learn more about the outdoor space instead of being cooped up in the classroom all day.”
Brooke Avenue is one of five underperforming schools at Waco ISD. The assistant principal said having this outdoor classroom will provide students the opportunity to have experiential learning and help with future STAAR test scores.
"Research has shown that the more you can involve students in hands-on learning the more things they can see in real life, and make those connections to real life science and opportunities,” Brook Avenue Assistant Principal Jessica Torres said. “And the stronger the learning connections will be for them.”
From on campus peach trees, to grape tomatoes the families of students will also benefit.
"As well as the opportunity to grow fruit that they will be able to eat, and watch a seed be planted and it turning into a plant where they are able to get tomatoes or squash where they can eat and hopefully take home," Family Engagement Coordinator Wade Mackey said.
Growing the garden was no easy task. The school received a grant to help pay for it and there was help from local master gardeners. Perkins said she had no idea it would turn out like this.
"It was beyond my dream that’s for sure,” Perkins said. “I had smaller visions but this definitely flourished."
Students have already started having class in the garden. On Tuesday, the school had a ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration.