Gardening and Horticulture at Parker Academy
Gardening and horticulture are woven throughout life at Parker Academy, not just as seasonal activities but as a year-round, hands-on learning experience that supports regulation, connection, and growth.
Students participate in a dedicated horticulture class as well as a wide range of gardening activities built into the school day. The inside of our building is filled with living plants that students help care for, divide, and propagate, making the environment itself part of the learning. Outdoors, students work in our on-site greenhouse and garden beds and also maintain a large 50' x 50' plot at the Concord Community Gardens, giving them the opportunity to grow food and flowers while contributing to the broader community.
Gardening at Parker continues through the winter months as well. Students maintain worm composting bins, start seeds for spring planting, care for indoor plants, and grow oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms. These activities provide meaningful, sensory-rich work even when outdoor gardening is not possible.
Why Gardens and Plants Matter
Working with plants supports both mental and physical health. Gardening naturally encourages movement, reduces stress, and helps regulate the nervous system. It promotes focus, patience, and persistence while offering a tangible sense of accomplishment.
Connecting with nature also supports emotional well-being and social growth. Students collaborate, problem-solve, and care for something living together, building empathy, responsibility, and pride in shared work. For many students, horticulture becomes a calming anchor in the day — a place where learning feels purposeful, grounding, and real.
At Parker, gardening and horticulture are an essential part of how we support wellness, build community, and help students experience success in meaningful, real-world ways.
What to Expect
Group Gardening Sessions: Our large garden plot is located at the Concord Community Gardens less than 5 minutes from Parker Academy. Students come together for group gardening sessions where they work collaboratively to tend the gardens, learn gardening strategies, and engage in journaling, group reflections and meaningful conversations.
Field Trips: Students have the opportunity to visit other gardens, gaining inspiration and knowledge from a variety of gardening practices.
Harvest Lunches: We host harvest lunches for students, celebrating the fruits of our labor and fostering connections.
Healthy Snacks: Students and staff prepare and enjoy nutritious snacks made from our garden produce, promoting healthy eating habits.
Student Leadership: This program is student-led under the mentorship of staff. Students decide what to grow, researching various techniques, and collaborating on the best ways to enjoy our harvest
A Multifaceted Approach: Students may participate in garden related art, shop and music projects such as constructing trellises and structures to support climbing plants, contributing to a communal playlist of nature related songs to provide a backdrop for weeding sessions, and creating garden related art and flower arrangements.
Questions? Contact us today to schedule a tour or meeting with one of our team members.
Thank You!
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