At Nathan Hale Middle School, Carver’s afterschool students are trading in their screens for soil as they roll up their sleeves and dive into the school’s outdoor gardens. Led by Elizabeth Simmons—Carver’s dedicated afterschool leader and the school’s Arts Integration Coach—students are cleaning beds, thatching lawns, and preparing for an early crop of potatoes, a group decision that has sparked excitement among these young gardeners.
With the afterschool program ending in June, the beds will thrive through the summer with the help of Carver’s rising 6th graders, who will be attending the Summer Transition Program there.
Nurturing plants fosters a sense of responsibility, patience, and accomplishment in students as they witness small sprouts flourish into something greater.
Gardening is a hands-on lesson in care, observation, and perseverance. As students work the soil, they learn that plants, like people, require attention, nourishment, and the right environment to thrive. Each plant has unique needs; through trial and error, students understand what it takes to cultivate a healthy garden.
The research underscores the benefits of outdoor spending—improved focus, stress reduction, and enhanced concentration. For students juggling the demands of school and social life, moments spent in the garden provide a natural reset, allowing them to return to their studies with renewed energy and clarity.
And then there’s the simple joy of reaping what they sow. Teens who grow their food are more likely to develop a taste for fresh, healthy produce. The satisfaction of planting, tending, and eventually harvesting their crops often leads to a newfound appreciation for the food they eat.
Thanks to Elizabeth Simmons' leadership and the Carver afterschool program, students at Nathan Hale Middle School are discovering the rewards of digging in, getting dirty, and growing—both in the garden and in life.
