Project: Sustaining the Future

 

Project Description / Scope of Work

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The School for Creative Studies is seeking support from Keep North Carolina Beautiful to revitalize and enhance our existing school courtyard - an already joyful space with tremendous untapped potential. Our courtyard features a circular walking path, tables, and benches, and includes the remnants of a former food garden. When weather permits, students eat lunch there, teachers hold informal gatherings, and classes use the space for reflection and collaboration. It is one of the few outdoor areas in our aging building that naturally brings people together.

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Over time, however, the courtyard has lost some of its vibrancy. The food garden is no longer active, plantings are sparse, and the space lacks the color and visual interest that would invite regular use. With thoughtful beautification, this courtyard can be brought back to life as a welcoming, inspiring environment for students, staff, families, and the broader community.

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This project directly aligns with our school’s mission — Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Community. By refreshing garden beds, adding native plants and flowers, incorporating student-designed art elements, and restoring the space with intention, we will transform the courtyard into a living example of creative expression and environmental stewardship. Students will have opportunities to collaborate in planning, planting, and maintaining the space, strengthening their sense of ownership and pride in their school.

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Our vision at the School for Creative Studies is “There Is No Box.” We believe learning should be imaginative, inclusive, and not confined to four walls. Revitalizing the courtyard supports this vision by extending learning outdoors and offering a flexible space for meals, small group instruction, mindfulness, and community connection. For an aging school building, brightening this space is a powerful way to signal hope, care, and possibility.

 

Support from Keep NC Beautiful will allow us to enhance an existing asset, promote sustainability, and create a cleaner, greener, and more inviting environment for everyone who uses our campus. This project is not just about beautification — it is about restoring a space where creativity grows, relationships flourish, and community is strengthened.

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Key Learnings Intended

Through the revitalization of the courtyard, students will gain meaningful, hands-on learning experiences connected to environmental stewardship, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

 

Students will learn:

• The importance of caring for shared spaces and the role individuals play in maintaining a clean, beautiful community.

• Basic principles of gardening and sustainability, including native plants, seasonal growth, and environmental responsibility.

• How creativity and design can transform spaces and positively influence mood, learning, and connection.

• Collaborative skills by working together to plan, plant, and maintain the courtyard space.

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These learnings reinforce real-world applications of responsibility, teamwork, and pride in place — skills that extend beyond the classroom.

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Impact on Students

The enhanced courtyard will provide students with a welcoming outdoor environment that supports social-emotional well-being, creativity, and engagement.

 

Students will benefit from:

• Increased access to a calming, joyful outdoor space for lunch, reflection, and informal learning.

• Opportunities to take ownership of their school environment, fostering pride and accountability.

• Improved mental well-being through exposure to green space and nature during the school day.

• Inclusive access to a space that supports diverse learning styles and encourages positive peer interaction.

For many students, especially those who may not have consistent access to green spaces outside of school, the courtyard will become a vital place for connection, creativity, and renewal.

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Impact on the School and Organization

For the School for Creative Studies, this project strengthens our commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community.

 

The revitalized courtyard will:

• Serve as a shared community space for students, staff, families, and visitors.

• Enhance the overall appearance of our aging campus, creating a more welcoming and vibrant school environment.

• Support outdoor learning, staff collaboration, and schoolwide events.

• Reinforce a culture of care, sustainability, and environmental responsibility within the school community.

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This project will also serve as a visible reminder of our vision — “There Is No Box” — by transforming an underutilized space into a flexible, inspiring environment that reflects who we are and what we value as a school community.​​​​