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WASHINGTON - For one school in the District, eating right and staying fit have been a priority for the past year. Now some outdoor improvements are reinforcing lessons in the classroom.

"Five minutes of rain could be two or three days before we could get back on, and so to get a field turf here for our kids allows us a lot more flexibility and our kids can go outside a lot more," said Bill Whitaker, president of the Washington Jesuit Academy.

Before Tuesday, students there had to get a bit creative during recess. They played football and basketball in a parking lot filled with cars. Many students say they've had some close calls.

"Last year one of my best friends almost got hit," said Andre Ervin

No one was hurt, but the growing inconvenience of not having a real field and basketball court was enough to bring about a drastic change.

"They had dreams of a beautiful field and basketball court and a facelift to the building," said Chris Davitt, president of Ruppert Landscape, the Laytonsville-based landscaper and nursery that donated the materials and labor for the new field, basketball court, and a garden.

It has the students' seal of approval.

"I'm glad we finally have a full court and half-court so we can run a real game," said Anthony Haynie III, a student.

Administrators believe the makeover will strengthen the school's health and wellness curriculum.

"It not only impacts our kids but it radiates back to the houses as well where our kids are from," Whitaker said.

School officials say the program is critical to their students, who come from low-income families. They eat three meals during the school day, and the kitchen is also committed to providing the healthiest options.

"They grow the food they actually serve in the cafeteria," Davitt said.

The seeds will be going into the ground in a few weeks.

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