Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom

The Independence School in Newark, DE is an independent, co-educational day school for age three through 8th grade and has approximately 500 students. The Independence School inspires students to become independent, intellectually curious individuals and is on a 90-acre tract of land in Pike Creek Valley. Currently, the space to be developed is occupied by landscaping and limited recreational amenities. In collaboration with Jonathan Ceci, Pennoni will be providing design services for an outdoor educational teaching area. The transformed space will incorporate an array of outdoor teaching areas including a music and movement area, dirt digging area, messy materials area, nature art area, water area and garden area. In addition, a building area, wheeled toy area, gathering area, open area, swing area and a climbing/balance area are proposed. As part of the improvements, drainage and grading improvements are also proposed. PennoniFX Studios developed a video animation for the project which was instrumental in the school’s fundraising efforts.