Educational-Institutional

Create Hands-On Learning Experiences

An educational greenhouse offers endless opportunities for new learning experiences. With a school greenhouse, students can: learn about agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, hydroponics, vermiculture and the cycle of life; conduct experiments and gain hands-on growing experience; cultivate business skills through plant sales — with the added bonus of bringing in money for the school; and enjoy outdoor classroom space and fresh air!

Navigating the process of constructing a new educational greenhouse can be daunting. At Rimol Greenhouses, we have decades of experience working with teachers, school administrators, architects, general contractors, engineers and building inspectors with educational greenhouse projects. Our customers include K-12 schools, universities and alternative education institutions across the country.

Rimol's expert team will work with you every step of the of the way from concept to completion to assure you success in your educational greenhouse project.

The Matterhorn Greenhouse is our most popular choice for schools and educational institutions, with many options including the ability to connect to a building. Our free-standing polycarbonate greenhouse is also a great choice for schools, offering flexibilty and durability with a fire-resistant exterior. All of our structures are Our overall design of our structures is phenomenal and our outstanding reputation and construction knowledge is well known within the greenhouse industry.

Rimol Greenhouse Systems is an awarded contractor with Purchasing Cooperative of America (PCA OD-395-23), and we can facilitate a smooth procurement and purchasing process for institutional greenhouses.

Grant opportunities can also help fund your school greenhouse project, such as the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, CARES ESSER programs, Department of Education Perkins funds and more. Give us a call to discuss the different opportunities available for financial assistance for your school greenhouse project.

Our Most Popular School Greenhouses

Customer Spotlight: Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center

Newport, New Hampshire

As part of a recent renovation of this regional high school's Career & Technical Education building, Sugar River Valley built a state-of-the-art Rimol Matterhorn educational greenhouse to support hands-on learning. Students in the Animal & Plant Sciences program and the school's FFA chapter are working in the greenhouse daily to learn about plant care, soil biology, plant tissue culture, business skills and more.

Testimonials

What Our Customers Are Saying

"We shopped around for our school's greenhouse and ultimately chose Rimol. We purchased a 30x48 polycarbonate unit. As we approach 1 year we could not be happier. What really stands out aside from a state of the art greenhouse is the service. I would highly recommend Rimol if you are looking for a great value." - John & Heather Profetto, East Haven High School - East Haven, CT

"Any time someone from the district has reached out, whether me as the teacher, or a maintenance person, or someone from the central office, we have received service that is beyond our basic needs." - Nathaniel Nolden, Wisconsin Dells High School - Wisconsin Dells, WI

"We had a very successful student greenhouse Project in Nahant with excellent services provided to us from Rimol Greenhouse Systems every step of the way!" - Rob Liebow, Johnson Elementary School - Nahant, MA

Simplify Procurement with PCA

Rimol Greenhouse Systems is an awarded contractor with Purchasing Cooperative of America (PCA OD-395-23). Whether you are a current member or would like to sign up as a member, we can work with you to facilitate a smooth procurement and purchasing process for your institutional greenhouse.

FAQ: School Greenhouses

What is a school greenhouse?

A school greenhouse or educational greenhouse is a structure designed for hands-on learning. It can be used for teaching plant science, sustainability, agriculture, and STEM topics in a real-world setting. A school greenhouse can also provide students with the tools needed to pursue a career in the green industry.

What types of schools have greenhouses?

We have worked with schools and institutions of all sizes and grade levels on educational greenhouse projects. This includes elementary/primary schools, middle schools, high schools, community colleges, public and private universities, land grant colleges, alternative educational institutions and more. We have also worked with correctional institutions and youth services centers for educational greenhouses to support rehabilitation programs.

How do instructors use greenhouses in the classroom?

Many agriculture and science teachers use greenhouses for biology labs, hydroponics, soil testing, environmental monitoring and data collection, and plant care instruction. Greenhouses also support cross-curricular learning in business, math, art, and even culinary programs. School greenhouses can also be an asset for students in extracurricular organizations such as Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, or Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

What are the benefits of a school greenhouse?

School greenhouses provide year-round learning, support STEM and agriculture programs, encourage environmental awareness, and can even supply produce to cafeterias. They bring curriculum to life and foster student engagement.

What size greenhouse is best for a school?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for an educational greenhouse. Smaller K-12 schools often need something under 1,000 sq. feet, such as a 20’ x 48’, while larger institutions or universities may want a gutter-connected system with room to expand. No matter your space, budget, and program goals – Rimol will help bring your vision to life.

How much does a school greenhouse cost?

Costs vary widely based on size, materials, and accessories. We provide custom quotes for all school projects and will walk you through the different cost options. We can work within any budget and have extensive experience working with grant programs that many schools are using to fund greenhouse projects.

Are there grants or funding options for school greenhouses?

Yes. Many schools fund greenhouses through federal or state grants, as well as public and private grants offered via educational foundations, sustainability initiatives, or local agriculture programs. Rimol can help identify funding sources and get you connected to the correct local agencies.

Can a greenhouse be used for farm-to-school or cafeteria programs?

Yes! Many schools grow leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables in their greenhouses to use in school lunch programs or sell at school markets while also teaching students about food systems and nutrition.

What materials are best for a school greenhouse?

Twin-wall polycarbonate is a popular choice for school greenhouses. It offers durability, insulation, and light diffusion—perfect for a learning environment that needs to perform year-round. Additionally, polycarbonate is flame-retardant, which is critical to meet building codes in most school environments.

Do school greenhouses need a building permit or stamped engineering plans?

In most areas, yes. Because greenhouses are considered permanent structures, schools typically need stamped engineering drawings and local building permits. We provide ongoing support with this process and will work with with you to design a structure that meets local wind and snow load requirements.

Can a school greenhouse be attached to a building?

Yes, we have done many campus greenhouse projects where the structure is attached directly to the school building. Share your vision with us and we can help design a greenhouse classroom that connects to the school building.

Is Rimol a member of any purchasing cooperatives for school greenhouses?

Yes - Rimol Greenhouse Systems is an awarded contractor with Purchasing Cooperative of America (PCA OD-395-23), and we can facilitate a smooth procurement and purchasing process for institutional greenhouses.

School Greenhouse Planning Guide

How to plan for your educational greenhouse

How do you get started planning a school greenhouse project? Check out our blog for a comprehensive guide to planning for a school greenhouse.

K-12 School Greenhouses

Public and private K-12 schools, including elementary schools, middle/junior high schools, and high schools have all discovered the value of educational greenhouses for hands-on learning. FFA chapters at high schools across the country have built a greenhouse classroom to enhance agriculture, horticulture and animal science programs. Some programs also use their school greenhouse to grow fresh food for "Farm to Cafeteria" school lunch programs.

Community and Technical College Greenhouses

We have worked with community colleges and technical colleges on educational greenhouse projects. A greenhouse supports degree programs in plant sciences, animal sciences, natural and environmental sciences, and sustainability with coursework and practical learning activities.

College & University Greenhouses

Public and private colleges and research universities, including many land grant colleges, have worked with us to build greenhouses on their campus. These campus greenhouses often include sophisticated environmental control systems to provide a space that can be used for plant science research projects and experiments.

Alternative Education Facilities

Many alternative educational instituions have installed greenhouses at their school for students with disabilities. For students with physical disabilities, these greenhouses offer theraputic and healing benefits and can be built within ADA compliance. Greenhouses can also be used to teach life skills for students with intellectual disabilities, such as plant care basics, as well as financial management and business skills through plant sales.

Correctional Institutions

We have worked with Sheriff's departments on greenhouse projects for correctional institutions and behavioral rehabilitation centers. Greenhouses offer theraputic and rehabilitation benefits for low-security institutions. We can work with you to design a structure that meets program needs while also ensuring safety and security.

School Greenhouse Projects

Rimol Educational Greenhouses

Check out some of Rimol's recent work with schools and institutions across the country, to learn how we’ve been helping our partners shape the future of greenhouse growing for generations to come!

Learn More

Why Schools Choose Rimol

We've worked with hundreds of educational institutions across the country on school greenhouse projects. Here are a few of the reasons why schools trust us with their greenhouse projects.