Lawrence High School students want to transform a grassy patch of lawn into a Roman courtyard modeled after the luxurious House of Vettii in the ancient city of Pompeii.

The courtyard at LHS will feature a red portico supported by fluted columns, mosaic sidewalks, murals and gurgling fountains. The gardens will include roses, irises and poppies.

The project is the brainchild of the school’s Latin Club, led by teacher Jason Lichte.

“I think students learn better with hands-on learning than anyway else,” Lichte said.

As they plan the projects, students learn about history, art and architecture.

“You learn all these things as you put it together,” said Sarah Kelly, 17. “And when it’s done, you continue to learn.”

And as students seek financial support from community members, they view the project as a way to connect with the public.

“It brings everyone together in the town,” said Alex Greer, 17.

When it’s complete, it will be the club’s legacy.

“I really like that we’re making something at LHS better,” Kelly said.

The project is interdisciplinary, calling on several classes and teachers to help. A science class will measure the slope of the area. Ceramics students will create mosaics. Visual art students will paint the murals.

The Latin club at Lawrence High School is spearheading a project to give its school courtyard a Roman flavor. Displaying the model of the new courtyard are, from left, seniors Alex Greer, Andrew Killen and Sarah Kelly.

One will depict Atlas holding the world on his shoulders. A second mural will be of Zeus. And a third will show Hector and Achilles battling in the Trojan War.

“None of us has really done this before,” said Yuri Mitchell, 17. “It’s a learning experience.”

The goal is to finish the courtyard within two years. That will work, students said, as long as they have enough money.

They estimate the project will cost about $20,000, not including the fountains, which may be delayed because of cost.

They’ve received support from several organizations, and their fundraising efforts will continue.

Principal Steve Nilhas said he’s seen students come into school on their free time to work on the project. He said he liked to see that kind of passion in students.

“It’s one of those projects we ought to be doing a lot more of,” Nilhas said.