Home Depot Plants Seeds of Change at West Boca High

West Boca Raton Community High School's courtyard is getting a major makeover thanks to a Home Depot donation of 624 plants. The project, which includes blue rubber mulch and umbrellas for the courtyard tables, will be led by CPM Landscaping, with volunteers from the school and community helping out.

Sign-ups are open to anyone, not just students and parents, and there's no cap on the number of people who can help. The project is an example of how school improvements in Palm Beach County are increasingly being made possible through donations and volunteer labor rather than district budgets.

The courtyard renovation starts at 6 a.m. on September 19 with landscaping preparation and material drop-off, followed by community volunteers arriving at 8 a.m. to help replant the courtyard. Student organizations will then adopt sections of the courtyard and take responsibility for its upkeep until an irrigation system is installed.

Home Depot is sending 10 employees to work alongside volunteers, and local police and fire personnel are also expected to participate in the project. The goal is a more attractive and usable outdoor space for students and staff.