First completed campus in the $5.94 million CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards grant project, transforming three El Monte elementary schools.
EL MONTE, CA — The El Monte City School District, in partnership with ActiveSGV and the Trust for Public Land, today unveiled the Cortada Living Schoolyard at Cortada Elementary School, a transformed campus featuring 46 new trees, outdoor classrooms, and green space for students and families to enjoy.
“One of the best parts of being a kid is learning and playing outside with your friends. Our Living Schoolyard projects enhance our outdoor learning spaces and are designed to complement our instruction and school culture through the lens of sustainability and fun. Increased access to shade, reflective paint, green spaces, and walking paths emphasizes our commitment to nurturing the whole child. We are so excited to bring these upgrades to our students, staff, and families,” said Dr. Maribel Garcia, Superintendent, El Monte City School District.
The improved campus provides new shaded play areas and outdoor learning environments that will benefit approximately 375 students at Cortada Elementary School for years to come.
“Having grown up in the El Monte City School District, I’m super excited to see El Monte children and community members experience their new living schoolyard! We hope they enjoy the new outdoor learning environment, new play structures, and beautiful trees that were planted,” said David Diaz, Executive Director, ActiveSGV.
What’s new at Cortada Elementary School:
- 46 new trees across 2.48 acres of transformed campus
- Five outdoor classrooms with native plants
- Pollinator garden with drought-tolerant species
- Shaded seating in the parent waiting area
- Resurfaced courts with cool-pave painting
- Tree-lined walking path around the playground
“I support the project because of the shade. The school didn’t have shade, benches, or a lot of trees before, and now it’s beautiful and green,” said Maria Torres, Parent, Cortada School.
The Cortada School’s Living Schoolyard is the first completed campus under the Living Schoolyard Project, a $5.94 million CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards Grant initiative transforming schoolyards at Cortada, Gidley, and Shirpser schools in the El Monte City School District.
“Spaces shape culture. When you walk onto our campus today, you immediately feel something different — beauty, joy, community, and health. Thanks to the Living Schoolyards grant and our partnership with ActiveSGV, Cortada has transformed into a vibrant space where students can walk along a beautiful pathway, play on cooling-surface courts and a green field, gather in welcoming seating areas, learn in outdoor classrooms, and explore gardens surrounded by more trees and shade. These spaces support the whole child emotionally, socially, and physically. It’s more than a playground — it’s a place where our students feel connected, inspired, and proud to belong,” said Kaitlyn Swan, Principal, Cortada School.
Funding for this Project was provided by the Governor and Legislature from the 2022/2023 State General Fund as administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Program.
For more information visit www.EMCSDLivingSchoolyards.org.
About the Living Schoolyard Project
A partnership between the El Monte City School District, ActiveSGV, and the Trust for Public Land is transforming three schools into greener, healthier spaces for students and the surrounding community through the Living Schoolyard Project. Funded by a $5.94 million CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards Grant from the CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry Program, the project runs from March 2025 to September 2026.
About Active San Gabriel Valley
Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is a San Gabriel Valley nonprofit that advocates for more livable, sustainable, and equitable communities through active transportation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Learn more at ActiveSGV.org.
