Growing Shade and Growing Leaders: Our Canopy for Kids Story
At Phoenix International Academy, every day is a chance to learn — not just in classrooms, but in the world around us. This year, one of our most exciting learning experiences took root right here on our campus with the arrival of the Canopy for Kids grant, a transformative project facilitated by Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Thayna, that brought 32 new shade trees to our school grounds.
In one of the hottest cities in the United States, shade isn’t just pleasant — it’s essential. Asphalt and gravel can become up to 25 °F hotter than the surrounding air, making outdoor areas challenging for students during playtime and recess. Shade trees help cool these spaces naturally by blocking sunlight and releasing moisture into the air — benefits our whole community will enjoy for years to come.
Our Canopy for Kids project grew out of a partnership with Arizona State University, the City of Phoenix, and nonprofit organizations like EcoRise and Watershed Management Group. Students in Mr. Rodriguez’s project class didn’t just watch the trees being planted — they helped design where the trees would go and learned how healthy landscapes can make their school more comfortable and sustainable.
ASU featured our school and this project in their ASU News publication, highlighting how students took part in planning and planting the trees and how the experience connected learning with real-world change.
From science and engineering to leadership and stewardship, students played an active role in this project
Designing the layout of shade trees and rain gardens
Planting desert-adapted native trees like palo verde and desert willow
Understanding how trees help cool school spaces and conserve water
Participating in meaningful environmental stewardship that impacts future generations
Fourth and fifth graders took pride in seeing their own designs turned into reality — and being part of a project that will benefit students today and those who come after them.
Thanks to the Canopy for Kids grant, our campus will continue to grow greener, cooler, and more welcoming. Every tree planted is more than just shade — it’s a symbol of our values and commitment to community, curiosity, and the power students have to help shape their world.
We are proud of our students and grateful to ASU and the Canopy for Kids partners for helping make this vision come to life!