Cedarcreek Elementary School

Saugus Union School District

Aerial view of a school campus with playgrounds, outdoor seating, sports fields, parking lot, and surrounding neighborhood.

K-12 EDUCATION

Edible Schoolyard and Flex Lab

Project Overview

The Edible Schoolyard at Cedarcreek Elementary School was born from the Saugus Union School District’s vision to reimagine a neighborhood campus facing declining enrollment.

Seeking to spark renewed community interest and provide a hands-on learning experience, the District partnered with SGH Architects to create a garden-based program connecting students to the origins of their food and the values of nutrition, sustainability, and stewardship.

Location
Santa Clarita, California

Services Provided
Full Architectural Services

Principal in charge
Scott griffith, AIA

Size
16,000 SF

Aerial view of a community park with sports fields, playground, solar panel structures, garden beds, and surrounding residential neighborhood in a hilly area under a partly cloudy sky.

Planning a Living Learning Environment

Guided by research, site visits, and collaboration with educators and garden specialists, SGH Architects and the District developed a plan that included thriving gardens, a greenhouse, chicken coops, outdoor classrooms, and flexible learning spaces.

Cedarcreek’s open setting provided the ideal environment to bring this interactive, experience-based vision to life.

An outdoor community space with a round seating area under a metal pavilion, solar panels, a landscaped area with small trees and plants, a building with a green roof and windows, a fenced area with a playground, and a sports court in the background at dusk.

A Seamless Farm-to-Fork Experience

Rooted in the “farm-to-fork” concept, the design lets students cultivate, prepare, and enjoy the food they grow.

The Flex Lab serves as the program’s hub - an indoor-outdoor classroom for washing, prepping, and cooking - supported by the adjacent MPR Kitchen for larger demonstrations.

Inclusive pathways, raised planter beds, and creative features like a deconstructed silo make the experience engaging and accessible for all.

A modern outdoor park with a circular metallic structure, lush green grass, wooden fence, and a building with bright lime green accent in the background. There are trees, street lamps, and solar-powered lights under a partly cloudy sky.

Bright, colorful classroom or cooking studio with long tables, yellow stools, and kitchen equipment in the background. Wall art displays the words "Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well." Large windows let in natural light, with outdoor scenery visible.

A modern outdoor community space with a playground, garden, and a building with a bright green accent, under a clear blue sky.

A community garden with raised garden beds, green plants, large trees, and a modern circular building in the background, under a clear blue sky.

A modern educational or community building with a green upper section and a white lower section, featuring large glass windows, an open front area, surrounded by landscaped bushes and small trees in wooden containers, and a paved outdoor space. There

Empty commercial kitchen with stainless steel appliances, countertops, and shelves. Small colorful cart in the foreground labeled 'The Charlie Cart Project' with red, beige, and yellow panels.

Colorful classroom or art space with yellow and green stools, tables, and decorated walls with motivational quotes about eating and living well.

Aerial view of a school campus with playgrounds, sports fields, classrooms, and surrounding residential neighborhood, with hills in the background.

Modern building with a gray and yellow exterior, large windows, and a mural of green fruits and vegetables on the wall.

Outdoor classroom or community space with picnic tables under a yellow canopy, garden area with raised beds and a small green shed in the background, blue sky with a few clouds.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

More than a nutrition lesson, the program fosters life skills, curiosity, and pride. Students learn to grow and cook their own food, often inspiring healthier habits at home.

Located along the campus edge, the garden is a visible source of community pride that strengthens neighborhood ties and inspires other schools to adopt similar programs.

Bright, modern classroom with green tables and yellow stools, large windows, and a yellow wall with black text that says 'You are what you eat' and illustrated food items.

Sustainability and Legacy

Sustainability drives both the design and the lesson. Solar lighting, drip irrigation, recycled materials, and natural daylighting reduce environmental impact and reinforce the project’s educational goals.

Roll-up doors connect the Flex Lab directly to the garden, creating a fluid learning environment that embodies the District’s commitment to hands-on, sustainable education.

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