Highland School's commitment to connecting children to nature continued recently with the opening and ribbon cutting of the new Village Garden and Outdoor Classroom, located directly behind the Lower School. The vision of Highland parents Amudha and Gajan Mahendiran, the garden classroom will enhance the lives of Highland's students as well as the larger Fauquier County community. "The possibilities are unlimited," stated Amudha Mahendiran. "Giving young students the opportunity to be outside more during the school day will contribute to their well-being both physically and mentally. We also are working on several initiatives to benefit the larger community outside of Highland School."

Landscape designer Nicole Siess worked with the Mahendiran family and Highland School to develop the space. Since returning to school in September, Lower School students have been busy planting the garden in this multipurpose space. The garden will yield both flowers and vegetables. They have also had lessons while sitting on tree stumps, painted pictures on the outdoor easels, and science classes peeled back the bark from some of the pine stumps that serve as stools in the garden, and collected insect larvae they found there. Students cared for them in a container in the science room and were excited to observe their metamorphosis into beetles and identify their species.

Students are also observing bean plants in the outdoor garden root view containers and comparing them to bean plants that are growing hydroponically in the science classroom. They have noticed difference in root size, leaf color, plant height, and stem diameter. All students participated in planting flowers, vegetables, and bulbs in the raised garden beds. They are monitoring the plant growth, looking for evidence of garden pests, and learning about the weeds they see. They also are learning about the life cycle of the plants.

Lower School Director, Lise Hicklin said, "The garden classroom will have many functions for both our students and the community. We are truly grateful for the Mahendiran's vision and all of its possibilities and benefits. Our students have been very happy to be outside more during the school day."