Cultivating Growth: The Gardening Program at Horizons at Carolina Day School

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

We are excited to gather soon for our annual benefit, Hearts for Horizons – A Secret Garden Party, where we celebrate the growth of our students and program. As we enter our seventh summer, our enrollment continues to expand, now serving 120 students. Once again, our Horizons garden will be one of the most popular project-based learning clubs, offering an engaging, hands-on experience. This edible educational garden not only produces vibrant flowers and fresh vegetables but also teaches valuable skills and fosters a lifelong appreciation for gardening.

Young children are often hesitant to try new foods, but the interactive nature of the garden encourages exploration. Seeing their peers excitedly pick peas straight from the vine inspires them to taste new vegetables. By summer’s end, we witness a greater willingness to try fresh foods, an enthusiasm for outdoor learning, and a deeper understanding of gardening basics. We love watching students enjoy fresh cucumbers, bake zucchini muffins, and enjoy fresh herbs they have cultivated.

Parents are welcome to harvest fresh produce from the garden and share input on what to grow. Our Summer Supporters' Breakfasts showcase garden activities that promote nutrition and well-being. During the school year, students, staff and volunteers help maintain the garden, strengthening connections between CDS and Horizons participants. 

Nutrition education starts early at Horizons, with young students learning the benefits of fruits and vegetables through interactive lessons. Food tastings introduce new flavors across all age groups, while older students experiment with blending, cooking, and comparing textures. Volunteers and students also pack produce for families to take home, reinforcing the community spirit.

The garden is a hub for project-based learning, incorporating math concepts such as measurement and fractions. Elementary students enjoy reading near the garden with volunteers and therapy dogs, creating a peaceful and enriching environment.

Like The Secret Garden, our program nurtures teamwork, resilience, and an appreciation for nature’s healing power. As students work together to cultivate and care for plants, they develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and mindfulness.

Beyond growing food, the Horizons gardening program fosters learning, health, and connection. By embracing themes of growth and renewal, we create a space where students thrive, sowing the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future.

“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Social Emotional Learning and Educational Equity

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become an essential component of education, helping individuals develop the skills necessary to navigate life’s challenges, build meaningful relationships, and achieve personal and professional growth. By fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills, SEL equips students with the tools they need to thrive.

This month, we celebrate National Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Week, beginning on March 3rd. SEL helps students understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, build relationships, and practice empathy. By supporting students' health, safety, and overall wellness, SEL plays a crucial role in fostering academic success and personal growth.

My journey in youth development began in Chicago, where my agency collaborated with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to establish the first SEL learning standards for public schools. CASEL’s pioneering research laid the foundation for SEL integration into education nationwide. As I oversaw the incorporation of SEL principles into a new Youth Development curriculum, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact SEL had on students’ academic and personal development.

At Horizons at Carolina Day School, we deeply value the power of SEL and intentionally integrate it into our rigorous academic program, both during the summer and throughout the school year. Our mission to promote educational equity by fostering long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools reflects our commitment to SEL.

CASEL’s vision reinforces our belief: “SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.”

Our strong partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools are what make our Horizons family unique. As we celebrate National SEL Week, we invite you to join us in recognizing the social-emotional growth of our students and the critical role SEL plays in their academic success. Together, we can continue to create a supportive and empowering learning environment for all.