Environmental Science Courses Integrated in Sky Islands Curriculum

Environmental Science Courses

Ecology and the environmental science courses are a key aspect of learning at Sky Islands. Perhaps the greatest test of humanity in the 21st century will be whether we can create a sustainable world for ourselves and future generations. Tackling these massive local as well as global environmental challenges requires a strong understanding of the basic ecological and environmental scientific principles, as well as developing the ability to affect a positive change in the world around us. To that end, environmental studies are integrated across the entire curriculum, and there are special classes devoted entirely to getting out and learning how to make a difference for ourselves and our community by learning how to grow food and manage water in a sustainable way, and revitalize the ecological systems that exist within our community.

Curriculum Questions?

Permaculture and Design

Urban Horticulture

Students in this course will learn about and tend the school’s chickens, build raised beds, plant and harvest produce for the school kitchen; learn to construct and operate the greenhouse; and study growing seasons, seed-saving and propagation, grafting, irrigation and water management, pest and weed control.

Urban Horticulture II

Urban Horticulture II is an advanced project-based class that revisits and expands on cultivating food in the cityscape of Tucson. Students will better know what goes into managing garden systems, get to refine their horticulture skills, and have the opportunity to participate in, continue to alter, and grow our garden program.

Restoration Ecology

Restoration Ecology involves the study of soil properties, including soil chemistry, biology, fertility, and hydrology- as they relate to the overall health of plants and other organisms in an ecosystem. Other topics covered include conservation, irrigation, and arid lands management. Students will apply what they learn about ecological health and revitalization to the ongoing restorative projects on site at the school.

Watershed Management

In this class students will study the watersheds on site and regionally, create project on-site maps, continue to create and maintain the Sky Islands’ water conservation earthworks, and maintain recordkeeping of Sky Islands’ grant-funded projects.

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Testimonials

Sky Islands is amazing because the curriculum is unlike anywhere else. It is a community that is always changing, and everyone is friendly. The teachers here are the best teachers I have had in my entire student career. I now look at the world differently than others.

I feel that the school’s messages they communicate to the students are really eye-opening, from the food we eat to the advertisements shaping us, and that we as a community can change this. I’m happy to know I’m graduating as an individual rather than a teenager clone, which would be the case at other schools.

When I first came to Sky Islands, I felt it was kind of weird because I wasn’t used to the whole idea of a school being a community, but more and more I came to the realization that this is how school should be.

Community is a huge part of Sky Islands. This school has amazing teachers, they are all fantastic, and they have taught me so much. I used to hate math more than anything because I never understood it. Now it is my favorite subject.

Sky Islands is a great place to be! Everyone is welcoming and everybody knows each other at our school. Throughout the year, we work on projects in and outside the classroom. We also learn about so many interesting topics that you don't learn about at other public schools.

My daughter graduated from Sky Islands in 2020. She studied there for 4 years of High School and it was the best decision we ever made. The curriculum there allowed her to broadened her mind and approach to more greenery and sciences. She started out very shy and and introvert and graduated more outgoing and she really bloomed at High School there. I would always refer my friends to have their students attend high school for the simple fact that they will get the education needed to go to college plus special treatment and care for each and every student.