Schoolyard Outdoor Learning

Schoolyard Outdoor Learning (SOL) projects are comprehensive, student-centered improvements to schoolyards, including play, physical education, athletics, outdoor learning, access to nature, and shade. They build on past work to create green schoolyards, as well as the first round of SOL projects funded by the 2016 Bond.

SFUSD has published its Schoolyard Comprehensive Plan, a unified vision to improve SFUSD's schoolyards as beautiful, functional, and healthy spaces for learning, curiosity, play and connection with nature. This document is a partnership between SFUSD and Berliner Architects/sitelab urban studio. The Bond program will continue implementation of the new Schoolyard Outdoor Learning program through this lens. 

The Schoolyard Comprehensive Plan serves as a tool for the District's facilities and capital planning team to prioritize schoolyard capital investments and sure that the programmatic needs of each school site are met. Categories such as goals, existing conditions analysis, landscape, and recommendations for district standards are all covered within the plan. 

Brainstorming sessions were held with students to identify areas for improvement on the existing schoolyards. Suggestions such as water-related amenities, shade, green spaces and aesthetic enhancements were were all recognized by SFUSD students as elements of a successful outdoor learning environment. Staff, students, and families have been brought together to support the vision and implementation of the outdoor learning spaces.