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What's the Living Schoolyard Project?

The Living Schoolyard Project will transform three schoolyards in the El Monte City School District into greener, healthier spaces for students to learn and play. Funded by a CalFire Green Schoolyards grant, this project will remove asphalt, provide shaded gathering areas, and introduce new trees and outdoor classrooms to improve school environments at Cortada, Gidley, and Shirpser schools.

Children inspect leaves on the ground with a magnifying glass.

What’s Coming?

El Monte City School District schoolyards are growing into something awesome! Here's what's coming...

Cooler, Shadier Spaces:
More trees and seating in the parent waiting area.
Outdoor Learning & Play:
Five outdoor classrooms with native plants and stormwater gardens
A Greener Play Yard:
Less asphalt, more plants and trees for shade
A Walking Loop:
A tree-lined path along the perimeter of the play field

living schoolyards

Cortada School
Gidley School
Shirpser School

Project Timeline and Funding

With a generous $5.94 million grant awarded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Green Schoolyards Program, we are excited to embark on our living schoolyard project, scheduled for implementation between March 2025 and March 2026

What's the Living Schoolyard Project?

What’s Coming?

Project Timeline and Funding

Greening Concepts

Project Partners