Rosa Parks is home to two garden spaces: an edible schoolyard/classroom garden (middle courtyard) and environmental education lab (upper yard) with chickens, a greenhouse, and rainwater collection system.

The students have 6 week units in the gardens, including, but not limited to: tending the gardens, caring for the chickens, and harvesting their crops for salad days

Supported by the PTA’s Green Team, a part-time Garden Educator and Gardening Assistant from Community Grows collaborate with staff to connect students with exciting curriculum- integrated experiences in the gardens.

Book Fairs and an annual Read-A-Thon encourage a love of reading in students. Reading Partners, ExperienceCorps, and interns from a number of distinguished educational institutions assist students with one-on-one reading.

Reading Buddies at Rosa Parks pairs upper and primary grades for reading and friendship. The students have library time weekly and are encouraged to visit the library and our staff librarian whenever they have the choice to do so.

Funded through the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF), Elementary Arts Program, as well as San Francisco arts organizations, consultants provide exposure and instruction in music, movement, and art:
● Nagata Dance - Creative movement dance
● SF Symphony Adventures in Music (AIM) - in school concerts and a field trip to a symphony performance
● San Francisco Ballet dance classes Visual and

Performing Arts (VAPA) teachers in:
● Music
● Visual art teachers
● Instrumental music

Off campus studies that expose students to experiences in the arts and sciences, historical and civic resources, and the rich cultural fabric of the Bay Area help connect classroom learning to the real world. Kindergartners visit local museums, a working farm, and adventure on Caltrain to San Mateo. Other grades venture in the field for all-day regional destinations and/or overnight camping adventures. For 5th graders, a highlight of the school year is a week-long camp focused on environmental education and science.

UCSF Science Discovery Program (piloted at Rosa Parks by a parent) and UCSF Science & Education Partnership brings mentorship and hands-on science education into 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms. Science Night
showcases 5th grade science projects and encourages a love for science through fun, hands-on activities for all grade levels.

A restorative space, in addition to the classroom, for students to practice calming down skills, work together to solve conflicts, and access emotional well-being.