Maximizing the power of outdoor teaching, learning, and play
McGillis students are explorers, and we know that time outside is as important as time spent in the classroom. Our Magpies flourish outdoors, whether along the Wasatch Front, in the majestic Tetons, or among southern Utah’s red-dirt mesas.
But they most frequently roam closer to home, right here on our urban campus. Our students learn and play outside every day—rain or shine, sleet or snow. They imagine, create together, and play sports year-round. They deserve spaces for learning and playing that match their ambitions.
Your investment in our outdoor footprint includes the following:
Our field is a muddy swamp and unusable for much of the school year. We will add a turf field that will serve students all year and in all weather conditions.
Our Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) program is the extension of our values, yet is restricted to a corner of our campus, limiting the ambitions of our teachers and students. We will elevate our OEE program by creating a perimeter nature trail and nature-based play zones that support environmental teaching and learning and encourage creative play and quiet reflection.
Our outdoor play spaces are tired, inadequate, and not accessible to everyone. We will prioritize and provide ADA accessibility throughout our designs to serve everyone in our kehilah (community).
Through our place-based curriculum, our students learn about the plants, trees, insects, and animals right here on our campus, becoming stewards of our natural resources. We will demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and tikkun olam—repairing the world—by incorporating drought-tolerant native plants and natural materials in outdoor spaces.
Our playground equipment, now nearly 15 years old, does not reflect the variety of ages, abilities, and interests of our students today. We will improve playground equipment to foster team-building, social connections, and active play year-round.
We will add an amphitheater to become a home base for a variety of performances and community connection.
We will transform the outdoor hardscape into a community plaza that facilitates community celebrations, outdoor dining, and student play.
