The Nature Explore Classroom at
Opportunity School-Edwards Campus Outdoor Classrooms
Opportunity School, a community-based nonprofit established in 1969, serves children and families living in poverty through a two-generational approach that supports both early learners and their families. Based in the Texas Panhandle, the school is one of the few nationally-accredited early childhood programs by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in the region. Opportunity School operates two campuses and serves approximately 208 children, partnering with Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The school offers a zero to five program, with 10 infant and toddler classrooms and 8 preschool classrooms.
The outdoor classroom project at the Edwards Campus was born from a vision to provide children with safe, outdoor spaces for exploration, play, and learning. Many of the families served by Opportunity School live in low-income households, with more than 90% earning an average income of just $28,000 per household. With many children living in apartments or homes without safe yards, outdoor play is often limited. After purchasing land and building a new campus in Northeast Amarillo, the school saw an opportunity to create something special for the children.
In early 2023, Opportunity School received a planning grant from Potter County and began collaborating with Nature Explore to design 3 outdoor spaces that encourage engagement with nature. Inspired by the school’s Executive Director, who grew up on a farm, the team embraced outdoor learning as part of their early childhood education. By June 2023, the school had a master plan in place and partnered with a local landscape contractor to develop a budget and installation schedule.
Fundraising efforts were successful, and by February 2024, the majority of funding was secured. Installation of the outdoor classroom began in May 2024 and was completed by August, just in time for the school’s back-to-school open house in September.
The transformation of the outdoor spaces was remarkable. Previously uninspiring areas were turned into engaging environments where children could thrive. Though some flowers were over-loved by the enthusiastic children, the changes were embraced by everyone. A particularly innovative feature of the outdoor classroom was the use of river rocks and a dry creek bed, which not only addressed drainage issues but also provided sensory and physical challenges for the children. Toddlers, in particular, enjoyed mastering walking over the rocks.
Throughout the installation process, children were captivated by the work being done, and safety measures, such as temporary fencing, were put in place to protect new plantings. Child Care Regulation was also involved in reviewing the spaces before they were fully opened. In September 2024, Opportunity School held a donor tour and open house to showcase the completed project.
Looking ahead, the school plans to use remaining funds to build a sensory path for children with specific sensory needs. Teachers are beginning to incorporate outdoor learning into their existing curriculum, and a mentor teacher role is being considered to support outdoor learning activities and ensure ongoing maintenance. The school is also exploring future possibilities for expanding its outdoor spaces.
