A Future Outdoor Classroom? How can you help?

🌱 Hope School Outdoor Classroom Project

Every Hand Helps, Every Voice Matters

Our Vision

Hope School is transforming its campus with an Outdoor Classroom: a vibrant, research-based environment where children connect with nature, inquiry, and each other. Serving TK–6th graders and early learners (ages 0–4), this project will give families equitable access to culturally relevant outdoor learning opportunities.

Why Now

  • Enrollment Growth: New housing developments (including La Cumbre Mall projects) are bringing more families into our district.
  • Student Wellness: Outdoor learning counters screen time and supports physical, social-emotional, and cognitive growth.
  • Community Benefit: Families will have a space for play, gathering, and early learning opportunities outside school hours.

Features of the Outdoor Classroom

Developed in partnership with Nature Explore, our design includes:

  • Gathering Areas – outdoor “nests” for full-class learning and community circles.
  • Music & Movement Stage – a performance deck with a marimba, drums, and storage for instruments and costumes.
  • Sensory & Art Zones – sand and water play, mud tables, art panels, and creativity tables for open-ended exploration.
  • Building & Loose Parts Areas – natural logs, stumps, and block sets for engineering and imagination.
  • Garden Beds – raised planters, potting benches, and child-sized tools for growing and tasting.
  • Reflective & Cozy Nooks – Adirondack chairs and a vine-covered “nature nook” for storytelling and quiet play.
  • Open Play Space – turf lawn and a climbing berm for rolling, running, and social games.

Funding Goal

The total project cost is approximately $1 million, including design, construction, surfacing, plantings, furnishings, and DSA approval.

Examples of donor impact:

  • $5,000–$25,000: Sponsor a garden area, art zone, or gathering space.
  • $50,000–$100,000: Underwrite major learning zones such as Music & Movement or Sensory Play.
  • $250,000+: Let's talk!

How You Can Help

  • Give: Make a gift at any level to move us closer to our goal.
  • Sponsor: Adopt a learning zone or feature with recognition opportunities.
  • Connect: Introduce us to foundations, businesses, and civic leaders who value outdoor learning.
  • Join: Be part of our Capital Campaign Committee, especially if you have experience with grants or philanthropy.

Partners

  • Nature Explore / Dimensions Educational Research Foundation – design partner
  • KBZ Architects- developing Architectural Plans
  • First 5 Santa Barbara – early learning collaboration, support and funding the initial schematic design by Nature Explore and KBZ Architectural plans
  • Hope School Foundation – Supporting with fundraising
  • Hope School Families and Staff -Participated in the design component and fundraising efforts

📩 Contact: Anna Scharfeld, Principal 📧 ascharfeld@hopeschooldistrict.org

✨ Together, we can transform Hope School into a campus where every child thrives in nature, inquiry, and community.