Since 1982, Richland Academy has been doing something quietly remarkable: giving our littlest ones the space to learn at their own pace, follow their curiosity, and grow into confident, independent thinkers. For over 40 years, families have trusted Richland Academy with their youngest children. Some of us were Montessori kids ourselves.

Now we're asking the community to give something back.

Goal

Turn the outdoor play space into what it's supposed to be: enclosed, shaded, calm, and consistent with the same Montessori philosophy that guides everything happening inside the classroom.

Right now, a wire fence keeps kids safe, but it leaves the play area completely open to a busy shopping center parking lot, with no shade on warmer days and no windbreak on colder ones. For toddlers trying to focus, dig in the dirt, or just be outside without distraction, that matters more than it sounds.

The concrete safety barriers along the perimeter aren't going anywhere, but they don't have to look the way they do now. A wood privacy fence, a nature-themed mural on the barriers (wildflowers, mountain landscapes, animal motifs), and some natural landscaping would give the whole perimeter a cohesive, intentional feel, and give children something worth stopping to look at. It also upgrades the first impression Richland Academy makes: a wood fence and a painted mural are what a family sees when they drive by or come for a tour, before anyone walks through the door.

Objective

Raise $15,000 by September 30, 2026 to fund the fence, mural, and some minimal landscaping.

(Fence cost is being finalized against a few more contractor quotes - this number may adjust slightly once those are in. If we raise more than the project needs, the remaining funds will go toward other necessary improvements at the school.)

Strategy

We're funding this through a tiered community giving campaign, running now through the September 30th deadline:

$50 — Enrolled families: let's hit 100% participation!
$100 — Friends of Richland Academy: supporting the kids from the outside in
$300 — Sponsor the nature-themed concrete barrier murals
$500 — Name laser-etched on the community panel: a lasting keepsake and permanent part of Richland Academy's story
$1,000 — Elevated recognition on the laser-etched community panel
$1,500 — Named plaque mounted on the fence, seen daily by every family, child, and passerby

*Prefer to give without your name attached? Reach out to fundraising@richland-academy.com directly and we'll make sure your contribution stays anonymous.

Montessori education is built around the idea of the "prepared environment" - where the space itself becomes part of how a child learns, encouraging independence and engaging all five senses through hands-on exploration. That's been true inside Richland Academy's classrooms for over 40 years. This fence is the first step toward giving the outside space that same care and attention and it won't be the last.

Thank you for helping us take care of this special place.

Richland Academy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Room to Grow

A fence, a mural, and a play space worthy of the kids who use it every day.

Team Members