Monarch Academy Annapolis Reveals New Learning Play Areas

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Young students attending Monarch Academy Annapolis are overjoyed with three new activity areas recently unveiled with the help of Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. The elementary school, which has a contract with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, now has a 13,000-square-foot outdoor classroom with walking paths, natural log seating areas, tables and play equipment designed to blend with the environment. Set in a forested area next to a stream behind the school building, the space provides plenty of opportunities for students to observe, learn and engage with nature.

The 7,894-square-foot nature-inspired play space sits adjacent to the school building. Like the outdoor classroom, the play space blends with the environment, offering logs, boulders and equipment for climbing, a butterfly garden and special sensory area for children with autism. Monarch Academy Annapolis designed the play space for kindergarten and first-grade students. The webbed climbing structure, basketball court and soccer field cover a total of 17,950 square feet.

The Anne Arundel County Executive and County Council supported the construction of the activity areas with a $500,000 grant. Monarch Academy Annapolis opened in the fall of 2017 at 2000 Capital Drive. Formerly occupied by the Capital Gazette newspapers, the building was completely remodeled into a school.