Growing Minds and Spirits, Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys

The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys is a tuitionfree Episcopal School for children of low-income families east of the Anacostia River. They seek to nurture the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical and artistic development of students in a Christian community of learners that welcomes boys of all faith traditions. In 2008, the Perennial Garden Club launched a six year partnership with the school to design an educational landscape introducing children to the natural world and the importance of caring for nature’s gifts.

The 2012 Founders Fund Award was given to develop a living classroom for “Growing Minds and Spirits.” The award was able to provide the space and tools to integrate school curriculum and to nurture future stewards of the environment. The children plant tomatoes, carrots and more in their raised vegetable garden bed, water the plants with recycled rain water and learn to compost. Teachers give reading and science lessons outdoors and students make journal entries about what they do in the living classroom.

Research shows that connecting children with nature and the natural world helps them to thrive spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. Marrying the boys’ fascination with nature helps create an integrated curriculum and helps them to understand the importance of taking care of nature.