For a decade now, Environmental Charter High School has been infusing a progressive "green" philosophy with traditional academic subjects.

And on Friday, dark skies and a steady rain did little to deter students from opening the Lawndale campus to share this learning model with the community.

The day marked an end to a monthlong academic program at the school, during which students were challenged by teachers to develop their own ideas and positions on real-world issues using material taught in the classroom.

"We're working to bridge connections between our urban setting and the natural world," said 11th-grader Rudy Sanchez, 16, in the school's library.

But the projects were not all environmental, said Rudy, explaining that his focused on recruiting bank representatives to visit classrooms to teach financial literacy courses.

The high school's annual program - dubbed "Intersession" - allows students, working in groups, to engage in field research while studying community planning and environmental justice issues. Students also incorporated traditional academic subjects like math, science, history and English.

"They're working on core concept standards while reaching benchmarks we set out for them to achieve," said Alison Suffet-Diaz, school founder and executive director of Environmental Charter Schools, a nonprofit organization that operates the high school.

"Kids will tell you it's more meaningful when

it's all connected."

Environmental was first chartered in 2000 and enrolls about 460 students. Aside from regular academic subjects, students are offered classes on gardening, anthropology, urban planning and Green Ambassadors, an environmental outreach program. The high school was bolstered Friday with the announcement of a $10,000 donation from the Chevron Corp.

School founders hope to open a charter middle school in Gardena by the fall.

On Friday, the school was alive with activity, despite the chilly and wet weather. A group of students led community members and parents on a tour of the campus, which features a student-made stream using recycled water, compost bins and benches made of sand and clay. Inside classrooms, students led discussions on environmental policy and gave presentations on sustainability, technology and civic stewardship.

Senior Jordan Howard, 17, said the project has taught her about the crucial role young adults have in society.

"It's our day to show we can be agents of change," she said.

douglas.morino@dailybreeze.com