At Bruce Randolph School, student learning is growing in more ways than one.
This spring, students hosted their annual plant sale, inviting community members to purchase vegetables and plants grown through the school’s agriculture program. The sale gave students a chance to share the results of months of care and preparation while celebrating the program they helped bring to life.
The plant sale also reflects the lasting role of community support through the Denver Public Schools Foundation. In 2021, Bruce Randolph School received funding through DPS Foundation’s Million Dollar Fund to help bring a greenhouse to campus. Today, that greenhouse serves as a lab space for students in grades 6–12 and is part of the school’s AgConnect Pathways program, a CareerConnect pathway focused on sustainable urban agriculture, food systems, and STEM-related industries.
Inside the greenhouse, learning comes to life. Students plant vegetables and flowers, watching their work take root and grow into something beautiful. Along the way, they are building skills, exploring where food comes from, and seeing how agriculture connects to their health, their community, and future career pathways.
“The greenhouse continues to expand our students’ understanding of growing environments,” shared Sarah Peterson, Assistant Principal at Bruce Randolph School. “The plant sale not only gives our students the opportunity to fundraise for the Ag Program, it lets them create connections in our community, show off their new learning space, and help our neighbors to grow their own nutritious foods.”
For students, the plant sale also became a moment of pride. After caring for the plants and watching them grow, students were able to share something they created with the community.
“While there are so many program benefits to the plant sale, it has been so fun to see how proud students are of their plants, and they should be – they look beautiful!” Peterson shared.
What began as support through DPS Foundation’s Million Dollar Fund continues to grow through student innovation. The greenhouse is a meaningful example of how donor support can create lasting opportunities for Denver Public Schools students, educators, and school communities.
By supporting Denver Public Schools Foundation, donors help create more spaces where students can learn by doing, build confidence, and see their work grow beyond the classroom. Donate today to help bring more hands-on learning opportunities to students across Denver Public Schools: https://dpsfoundation.org/get-involved/donate/
