Rooftop Revival: Eucalyptus Rebuilds the Grove Gathering Place

What began as a routine facilities issue at the end of the 2023–2024 school year became a powerful journey of problem-solving, community collaboration, and adolescent leadership for the middle school’s Eucalyptus community—culminating in the transformation of the Grove rooftop into a vibrant and functional gathering space.

Repairing a Leaky Roof

It all started when our rooftop began regularly flooding during heavy rains. The culprit? Green strands from the artificial turf clogged the drains and pipes. Despite cleaning and installing pumps to remove the water, the pipes would become blocked again after just a few storms. By the start of the 2024–2025 school year, the issue had worsened: water leaks were discovered inside the Eucalyptus classroom, with drops appearing near the ceiling and even around a light fixture.

Discussions among Eucalyptus staff and facilities manager Tomofumi led to a clear conclusion—the roof needed to be properly sealed to protect the building’s interior. Since the turf had to be removed anyway, a unique idea was proposed: engage the adolescents in the removal process as part of a real-world learning experience. In return for their effort, Eucalyptans would be compensated, aligning with Montessori principles of adult-like responsibility and economic independence.

During the final week before the winter holidays, it was truly all hands on deck. In both the mornings and afternoons, adolescents dismantled garden beds, removed the sand-filled turf, and hauled away trash. The turf was cut into tatami-sized pieces, shaken to release heavy, wet sand. More than 150 bags of sand, weighing between 15–20 kg each, plus the turf, were carried down from the roof. The scale of the task was so great that the contractor doubled the size of their truck and tripled the number of bags they brought to collect it all.

Creating a Rooftop Retreat

From January through March, the rooftop underwent sealing and repairs. Then came April and May—the season of Rooftop Occupation, “occupation” referring to a class or seminar. The adolescents divided themselves into two teams: one focused on the garden, the other on structures. Their shared goal? To create a rooftop space where people would love to gather—a green oasis for coffee, meetings, ceremonies, and relaxing moments.

Middle schoolers Nina and Francisco took the lead in designing a rooftop café space. They compared options: short-term, low-cost furniture from IKEA or Amazon, versus more durable (but pricier) materials that could last 20–30 years. With thoughtful guidance from Tomofumi and office manager Shiho, and after preparing a compelling presentation for MST CEO Sunao, their proposal was approved.

With logistical support from bus driver Ichikawa-san and both front and back office staff, materials were picked up directly from the factory to save on delivery costs.

Construction began the next day, though progress was slow at first as the team adjusted to changes in the rooftop’s layout. By Monday before the grand re-opening, only a few boards were in place, and the team worried: “We won’t make it by Friday.” But on May 27, Nina, Francisco, Mona, and Archer rallied together and built the deck in a single day, working until late in the evening (thanks to pizza support by guide Chris!)—a fitting celebration of perseverance, collaboration, and the spirit of Montessori adolescent education in action.

The rooftop is now a space with purpose, beauty, and heart—thanks to a leaky pipe, a lot of sand, and a community that came together to turn a problem into an opportunity for creativity and legacy-building.

–Xavier Maréchal, Eucalyptus Guide

and Wind Edward Kim