Digitability a modern, work-ready program prepares students for our tech-driven society. Digitability skill areas are taught through an integrated model. Students then put their new skills into practice through a Digitability Work Simulation.

Culinary Arts students help plant, maintain, harvest, wash and prepare produce for a “farm-to-table” education. Not only do they prepare recipes around fresh, hand-picked vegetables and fruits, but they use garden ingredients in the entrees they sell to teachers in a school café and run a farm stand in the school lobby.

The garden coordinator partners with teachers to develop hands-on garden lessons that complement their curriculum. For example, biology classes researched, designed, and planted a native species arboretum on campus as part of their ecosystems unit in Spring 2013. Departments involved are: Special Education, Biology, English, Culinary Arts, Math, English as a Second Language. Check out the blog for specific garden lessons and activities.

SPHS’ outdoor area is used by the entire neighborhood and the gardens are a celebrated community space. When someone is working in the garden, the gate is open to encourage anyone and everyone to stop by! Volunteer opportunities are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 8am-3pm. We have welcomed hundreds of volunteers since 2012, and they have played a pivotal role in our program's success.

To achieve our mission of increasing access to fresh, healthy produce in our community, we have two farm stands. During the school year, students harvest, wash, weigh, and sell vegetables and fruits at a weekly farm stand in the school lobby. All items cost $1 or less to encourage teachers, students and staff to try local produce and taste new foods. During the summer, we have a farm stand every Wednesday from 4pm-7pm at the corner of Broad St & Jackson St.

SPHS and LoMo Civic are expanding their greening initiatives to include the entire 5.5 acre campus: from the rooftop to the parking lot! Roofmeadow will help students, teachers, and neighbors reimagine the campus as a series of outdoor classrooms and community park space, both of which are currently lacking in South Philly. To learn more about the project, click the photo to be taken to the project site!

This paid internship allows students to take a leadership role in the garden with more responsibilities. They learn how to manage the program: from crop plans to farm stand sales. The internship also includes field trips, guest teachers, and resume workshops. Students continue this leadership position during the school year, teaching their classmates what they have learned.

We partner with our local library, Fumo Family Branch, to offer free "Garden Story Times" for toddlers. We also collaborate with local day cares to provide hands-on garden learning and fun for young children. Our open door policy attracts neighbors of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens, to help out in the garden.

South Philly isn't known for its green space or locally-grown food, but we are hoping to help change that! We offer a variety of workshops for space-deprived South Philly residents, including a pallet gardening to promote vertical growing.