The BackYard
Where Learning Meets the Natural World
Nestled just beyond one of Shlenker’s largest playgrounds lies The BackYard—a stunning 1.5-acre nature preserve that serves as a living laboratory for our students. Home to four distinct ecosystems—forest, prairie, wetland, and pond—The BackYard invites exploration along more than 800 feet of winding trails, where students observe the plants and wildlife that thrive in this natural sanctuary.
As an Outdoor Classroom, The BackYard Brings Learning to Life
Students use the space for hands-on lessons in science, writing, art, and integrated Jewish learning. With journals in hand and curiosity sparked, they explore environmental ethics and the Jewish value of bal tashchit—the principle that calls us to protect and preserve the natural world.
Certified Schoolyard Habitats Site
Recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Schoolyard Habitats Site, The BackYard fosters a deep respect for nature while helping students make meaningful, cross-curricular connections. Whether investigating life cycles at the pond or writing reflections beneath the trees, Shlenker students are empowered to become thoughtful stewards of the earth—one BackYard adventure at a time.