Growing leaders

When you visit one of Enterprise Elementary School District’s campuses in Redding, you might see students with trowels in hand and smiles on their faces — planting, harvesting, or proudly explaining the difference between hydroponics and soil gardening. You’ll hear laughter, see teamwork, and feel pride because these are not just gardens. They’re living classrooms where students grow in leadership, learning, and well-being.

Planting the seeds of purpose Enterprise Elementary School District (EESD) is comprised of nine schools that primarily serve a TK-8th grade student population of which 72 percent are low income. We are located in Shasta County, where Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores are roughly twice the California average, and child abuse rates are up to 2.5 times higher than the state rate. A recent Community Health Needs Assessment ranks Shasta County 48th out of 58 counties in overall health outcomes.

In 2022, the California School Dashboard also reported chronic absenteeism nearing 40 percent, well above the state average, and disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable students. These indicators made it clear that we needed learning experiences that would connect students to purpose, boost engagement, and improve health and well-being.

The result is our districtwide Horticulture Program, which bridges classroom learning into the Expanded Learning Opportunity After School Program. It integrates hands-on horticulture, nutrition education, and student leadership opportunities, all centered on helping students thrive academically, physically, and socially. Research shows that when students are engaged in meaningful, real-world learning, attendance improves and achievement rises. We’ve seen that firsthand in our district.

Purposeful learning with real-world impact The Horticulture Program was designed to engage students in purposeful, standards-aligned instruction that builds academic knowledge, health awareness, leadership, and community connection. Our gardens provide a powerful bridge between classroom learning and applied, outdoor experiences.

In our greenhouses and garden spaces, students work side-by-side to nurture plants and each other. The program’s goals are simple but powerful:

• Strengthen academic achievement.
• Promote student leadership and service.
• Foster a positive, inclusive school climate.
• Cultivate curiosity and environmental responsibility.
• Deepen family and community partnerships.

What growth looks like What started as a few raised beds has blossomed into a districtwide network of 12 hydroponic systems, eight greenhouses, eight soil gardens, two orchards, and eight vermiculture (worm composting) bins. Each site has a “Garden Champion,” a staff member who leads the school’s garden efforts with support from a district horticulture teacher and community educators.

Through after-school garden and cooking clubs, students extend their learning in ways that connect to their lives. They grow, harvest, and prepare food, then share it with others through the school cafeteria and service projects such as preparing weekend meals to discretely send home with food insecure peers.

Students host salad parties, family garden nights, and campus farmer’s markets where they teach parents and younger students what they’ve learned. Through these events, they don’t just demonstrate knowledge, they practice leadership, communication, and teamwork. Whether students are testing soil pH, cooking school-grown produce, or mentoring younger “garden buddies,” they’re participating in learning that connects the head, heart, and hands.

“Part of the learning process is also being a steward, and stewards are proactive,” says Devin Lindsley, a 5th grade teacher and Garden Champion. “Our students aren’t just absorbing information; they’re taking initiative and sharing what they’ve learned.”

Leadership in bloom As EESD Horticulture Teacher Aura Weinstein explains: “Our fifth graders have been trained to not only absorb horticultural knowledge, but also to guide younger students through that experience with them. They’re developing confidence and compassion while giving back.”

These experiences align beautifully with our district vision — to empower every student, every day, to create a better world.

The results: Attendance, achievement, and connection The impact has reached well beyond the garden gates. Since 2021–22, chronic absenteeism has dropped from 39.8 percent to 13.9 percent, a 25-percentage-point improvement that reflects stronger student connection and engagement. Over that same period, suspensions continued to decline, and student achievement rose sharply, with ELA up 12.8 points and math up 9.1 points — our strongest CAASPP performance since statewide testing began in 2015.

Teachers consistently report improved attendance, engagement, behavior, and academic performance for students involved in horticulture activities. When students have a reason to come to school, a sense of purpose and belonging, they show up ready to learn.

Innovation that grows with students What makes EESD’s approach unique is how it layers opportunities for hands-on learning and student leadership. Many schools have garden beds; we have an integrated, scalable system that operates year-round and connects to core academic and wellness goals.

A standout feature is our hydroponics program, which allows students to grow food indoors using water, light, and science — no soil required. This system makes gardening accessible even during winter months and opens up rich STEM learning opportunities. Students experiment with pH levels, measure nutrient ratios, track plant growth data, and write about their learning.

For many of our students, gardening connects them to their rural roots. For others, hydroponics introduces them to modern agricultural technology and sustainability concepts. In a rural region where many children already have traditional gardening experience, hydroponics brings in a futuristic dimension, combining agriculture, engineering, and sustainability. It’s a 21st-century skill set rooted in 20th-century values.

The role of the board and district leadership We believe every student is a leader. Our board has supported this vision through LCAP priorities and ELOP plans. Investments in infrastructure, staffing, and materials reflect our shared belief that real-world, hands-on learning drives engagement and success.

Partnerships that sustain growth The program’s success stems from strong partnerships and creative funding. EESD leverages ELOP and LCFF funds, along with various grants and community support.

CalFresh Healthy Living has been an especially valuable partner, providing Garden Champion stipends, a dedicated garden educator, student nutrition lessons, and assistance for cooking clubs. Shasta Community College’s College Corps places college students in our after-school programs to help lead activities and mentor children.

Our district horticulture teacher serves as a mentor and connector, supporting staff and ensuring continuity between school gardens, cafeterias, and classrooms. In fact, produce grown by students is now incorporated into school meals, creating a full-circle model of sustainability. This structure builds shared ownership across staff, students, and partners.

Lessons learned and advice for others For other districts looking to start or expand a similar program, here are a few practical takeaways from our experience:

A living classroom for the future Ultimately, the EESD Horticulture Program is more than a collection of gardens, it’s a living classroom where students discover how to care for themselves, their environment, and one another. It’s where science becomes tangible, leadership becomes visible, and learning becomes joyful.

As one student explained after a cooking club session:

“I used to think vegetables were boring. Now I know how to grow them, cook them, and help people who need them. That feels good.”

And that’s exactly the kind of growth we want to see — rooted in learning, blooming with leadership, and nourishing the whole child. From seed to service, our students are cultivating knowledge in how science, health, and sustainability connect, and how their actions can change their community.

Heather Armelino is superintendent of Enterprise Elementary School District.