Pioneer Springs Community School is a nature-focused charter school in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a community school, part of our mission is to foster the growth of the whole student, including their social and emotional well-being. The funds from the WOO grant are being utilized to help us in this mission by the creation of a Zen garden on our campus.

Our middle school students will be leading the project, including planning, budgeting, purchasing and implementation. They will take an overgrown, unused space on our campus and transform it into a peaceful place for reflection, contemplation and a connection to nature.

There is nothing that soothes the soul better than time spent in the beauty of nature and our students and staff will appreciate the space and time to calm their souls and get in touch with their emotions and natural self. The Zen garden will be a welcome balance to our busy, active school day, enrich the lives of our staff and students and further enhance our relationship with the wildlife that shares our campus.