Lily Bagwell / November 25, 2024
A decade-long partnership between Meeting Street Academy and the Green Heart Project celebrated a milestone on Nov. 19 with the opening of a student-run garden.
The new garden in downtown Singleton Park is a testament to years of fundraising, community support and partnership. The garden came to fruition through a collaboration of the City of Charleston Parks Department, the Charleston Parks Conservancy and Clemson Architecture Center’s CommunityBuild Program
“With everyone working together, we’ve built something that’s not only beautiful but also purposeful, creating a space for our community to learn, grow, and connect,” said Jesse Blom, executive director at the Green Heart Project. “This garden represents everything Green Heart has learned over the past 15 years. We’re calling this garden our ‘new standard’ because it’s the best of what we’ve done so far.”
The new garden features 13 garden beds. A beautiful wood-framed pavilion offers shade for groups to gather for a lesson or discussion. The garden floor is padded so students are comfortable during outdoor lessons, and its rainwater collection system gives young gardeners a hands-on experience with sustainability in action. And with a wash basin on site, fresh-picked produce can be rinsed and enjoyed immediately.
“Singleton Park isn’t just a garden; it’s a full-on outdoor classroom and a community space built for connection, learning, and growth,” Blom said.
The space was designed and primarily built by Clemson Architecture Center’s CommunityBuild Program. It’s directly across the street from Meeting Street Academy, making it easier and safer for students to access. The school donated $25,000 to help fund the project.
Each week, Green Heart employees will teach students both in and about the garden. The goal is for students to learn about teamwork, sustainability and agriculture.
For Xavier McDaniel, a farm and garden assistant with the Green Heart Project, this partnership hits close to home. Xavier was part of the first graduating class at Meeting Street Academy, and he’s come full circle, returning to his alma mater to teach students.
“Working with Green Heart has filled a spot in my heart that I needed,” he said. “Coming back to the school was an eye-opener. All of the kids are different and coming back as a mentor, I get to help them learn something new.”
Xavier discovered a love of gardening from his uncle, and he hopes to inspire the next generation through this work.
“A lot of these kids have never had a teacher that looks like them,” he said.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
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