Elementary Outdoor Classrooms

This summer, Lincoln Center built a new kind of classroom, one without walls. Funded through a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) via Dakota County and a large donation from the Lincoln Center PTA, the new outdoor classroom will give students and teachers a dedicated space to connect with nature while learning in hands-on, meaningful ways.

Outdoor classrooms have been shown to boost student focus, reduce stress, and promote physical and mental well-being. They also offer unique opportunities to explore science, writing, art, and more in real-world settings. At Lincoln, this new space will feature seating, shade, and natural elements designed to support both instruction and exploration.

Lincoln isn’t the first South St. Paul school to embrace the benefits of learning outdoors. Kaposia Education Center has had an outdoor classroom in place for the past few years. Staff and students continue to expand and enhance the space, incorporating new features and ideas to make outdoor learning a regular part of the school day.

From story time under the trees to science lessons in the garden, outdoor classrooms are helping SSP students build curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.