Jim Thorpe Academy marked an exciting milestone on the morning of September 16 with the ribbon cutting of its new Outdoor Classroom, funded by a generous $10,000 grant from Sovereign Bank. The event celebrated a new chapter in hands-on, project-based learning for students.
Students shared their enthusiasm for the Outdoor Classroom, speaking about how community support makes learning opportunities like this possible and expressing excitement for the skills they will gain. The Outdoor Classroom supports Jim Thorpe Academy’s Outdoor Education and Family Sciences programs, giving students real-world experience in maintaining a functional tiny house and learning skills in electrical work, carpentry, cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and gardening. Produce from the Academy’s onsite garden and greenhouse is incorporated into lessons, connecting classroom learning with practical applications in sustainability and nutrition.
“At Jim Thorpe Academy, we believe students learn best when they can apply their knowledge in meaningful, hands-on ways,” said Hannah Holland, Principal of Jim Thorpe Academy. “Our tiny house project gives them real-life skills they can carry into the future, and it would not be possible without the generous support of Sovereign Bank. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the way it demonstrates the power of community coming together to invest in our students’ success.”
Rachael Melot, Business Development Officer of Sovereign Bank, expressed appreciation for the commitment to excellence of our Shawnee Public Schools teachers and administration. “We’re proud to support Jim Thorpe Academy’s Outdoor Classroom because it shows what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its students,” Melot said. “Projects like this help students build real-world skills while strengthening the bonds between schools, families, and local partners.”
Jim Thorpe Academy looks forward to continuing to showcase the progress of its students as they develop skills that will last a lifetime.