Verde Partnership Garden

Over the last decade, the Verde Partnership Garden has grown from a small vegetable patch into an oasis for learning. Science, art and English lessons revolve around garden projects in which students come face to face with ladybugs while tending leafy green seedlings.

"United Way's support of our garden is really making a positive impact on our school," said Paul Buddenhagen, who participates in the school’s “VIP” (Verde Involving Parents) program. "Over the last few years, student attendance has increased significantly and our school is a much more peaceful place. The improvement of our state test scores by several percentage points has also helped bring close to half a million dollars of government funding to the school over the last five years."