“Students reap the benefits of fresh air and oxygen as they receive instruction in the outdoors. This practice has improved their ability to learn, minimize anxieties, and improve concentration.  Academic levels and test scores have improved as a result of the opportunity to study in the Nature Center. Our ‘No Child Left Inside’ theme reinforces the benefits of education in the outdoors. Students are involved in outdoor studies which minimizes the possibility of Nature Deficit Disorder,” Kathryn Fouks, Clinical Director of The Achievement Centers, Inc. and Principal of Acacia Academy. 

The Nature Center is divided up into three specific sections.  The front contains vegetables and flower gardens, a three bin compost, raised beds, vertical gardens, rain barrels, plants to attract birds and butterflies, and a bird sanctuary. The middle third, an outdoor classroom, is used for quiet study.  The Nature Center contains picnic tables that can be used to write notes or hold group discussions, as well as collapsible canvass chairs, outdoor cushions, and logs from fallen trees to sit upon. The back third acts as a physical education area equipped with balance beams (made from trees), a pull up bar, climbing rope, tree tire swing, an 1/8 mile running/therapeutic track, tether ball, and an outdoor badminton/volleyball court. The Nature Center is used for specific projects such as the development of a Zen Garden, bat house, environmental protections such as tepees, lean-toss, and an outdoor house built from materials found in the Nature Center after studies of the history of shelters and architecture.

The Nature Center is a vibrant haven of growth and discovery, offering a dynamic and inclusive environment where all students—regardless of learning style or ability—can thrive. Surrounded by natural beauty, this outdoor classroom nurtures curiosity through multisensory experiences that awaken the senses and spark engagement. Students are empowered through project-based learning, hands-on activities, and real-world exploration, fostering both academic growth and personal development. Whether planting in the garden, creating art, engaging in outdoor academics, or participating in physical education, each experience is intentionally designed to support diverse needs. The integration of sensory breaks, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social work in a natural setting provides holistic support, making learning both meaningful and joyful. Here, students don’t just learn—they connect, create, and grow.