The Orchard School is thrilled to announce that it has received a $500,000 grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation to support the creation of outdoor learning spaces that will complement the school’s Resilient Educators, Resilient Students initiative.

 

Resilient Educators, Resilient Students is a research-informed program addressing the growing mental health challenges affecting both students and educators. Rooted in Orchard’s mission to “educate and develop the whole child” and its long tradition of using “nature as teacher,” the initiative integrates social-emotional learning, professional development, family education, and intentional outdoor learning. Together, these efforts strengthen emotional resilience, deepen the school-to-home partnership, and enhance students’ academic readiness.

 

This generous grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation will fund the creation of thoughtfully designed outdoor learning spaces – including weather-ready outdoor classrooms, covered patios, and natural, biophilic elements such as water features and plantings. A centerpiece of this work will be the transformation of the cafeteria into a flexible indoor/outdoor, multi-use space for dining and learning that is equipped to host community events as well as classes. These upgrades are grounded in feedback from our students, faculty, and families, as well as research on biophilic design and the positive impacts of nature-connected environments. 

 

 

As always, The Orchard School extends heartfelt thanks to its broader community of current and past parents, grandparents, alumni, and donors for their continued partnership and support. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier future for every Orchard student.

 

The Orchard community will continue to be an integral part of implementing and sustaining this initiative. If you are interested in learning more about the program or how you can be involved, please reach out to Director of Major Gifts & Grants, Amanda Goedde, at agoedde@orchard.org or call 317-713-5703.

 

 

The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation is the major continuing philanthropic legacy of Mr. Clowes, who was a member of The Orchard School’s first graduating class in 1931. The Foundation embodies Mr. Clowes’ love for arts, humanities, and the city of Indianapolis.

 

Incorporated in 1990, the Foundation’s full funding was made following Mr. Clowes’ death in November of 2000. The mission of the Foundation is “…to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the Arts and Humanities and to support charitable organizations that were supported by Mr. Clowes during his life or are similar to those supported by Mr. Clowes.”