Sudduth Elementary School Unveils New Courtyard Space

The new courtyard at Sudduth Elementary School featuring play structures and learning elements.

News Summary

Sudduth Elementary School has opened a newly renovated courtyard, The Cafeteria Courtyard, designed to enhance outdoor learning experiences for students. Funded by the PTO and developed with Mississippi State University, this vibrant space features integrated play areas, sensory elements, and custom seating, benefiting over 900 students. The project emphasizes collaboration between the school community and MSU faculty and students, showcasing innovative educational design that promotes both play and learning.

Starkville, MS – Sudduth Elementary School has unveiled a newly renovated learning and play space known as The Cafeteria Courtyard, which is set to enhance educational experiences for students when the school year begins in late July. This project was largely funded by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and developed in collaboration with the Mississippi State University (MSU) Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in May to commemorate the official opening of the courtyard. Before the end of the previous school year, preK, kindergarten, and first-grade students had the opportunity to explore and enjoy the new features of this vibrant space.

Dr. Morgan Abraham, the principal of Sudduth Elementary, expressed appreciation for the collective effort of the PTO, MSU, and the wider community in bringing this vision to fruition. The renovated courtyard has been designed with functionality in mind, providing opportunities for integrated play and learning geared specifically toward young children.

The development of The Cafeteria Courtyard was led by Jamey Bachman, a parent volunteer with expertise in Landscape Architecture. Bachman coordinated with MSU faculty and students, who contributed to the comprehensive planning process for the space. Among the project’s highlights, one kindergarten class participated in selecting colors and design elements, ensuring the courtyard reflects the preferences of the students it serves.

Over the past year, the PTO worked diligently to fundraise and facilitate the design process by gathering support from parents, local businesses, and district stakeholders. Construction commenced last summer, following a groundbreaking event held in May 2024. Local contractors were responsible for pouring concrete plazas and creating multi-functional steps that also serve as seating for outdoor instruction.

As part of the renovation, four new American Elm trees were planted, courtesy of Hunter Trees of Alabama, with installation assistance from MSU Landscape Architecture students. The completed courtyard showcases an “abstract forest” featuring green posts with magnifying glasses aimed at promoting environmental exploration, alongside numbered stepping stones designed for counting practice and a four-foot-tall abacus made from river stones that encourages interactive math lessons.

The courtyard’s design incorporates 55 linear feet of custom seating capable of accommodating multiple classes, complemented by bright umbrellas providing shade to outdoor learning activities. Additionally, talking tube elements allow for communication across different areas of the courtyard, while MSU LA supplied chalk art materials for teachers to use in ongoing classroom projects.

Peter Summerlin, a faculty member at MSU, played a vital role as a liaison throughout the project, ensuring that input from Sudduth students was integral to the development of the courtyard. This collaboration with MSU not only provides practical design experience for students but also emphasizes projects that effectively enhance elementary education.

The aim of the newly renovated courtyard is to offer sensory-based learning opportunities that engage students physically and intellectually. During the kinder camp, the courtyard served as an essential play area, particularly when the main playground was deemed unusable due to mud, providing an alternative play space for incoming kindergartners.

The renovation has expanded outdoor play and learning opportunities for Sudduth Elementary’s over 900 students. Dr. Tony McGee, Superintendent of the Starkville Oktibbeha School District (SOCSD), praised the ongoing partnership with MSU, emphasizing its positive influence on the learning experiences of K-12 students in the district.