Schools are complex, and designs must support the myriad of ways students learn, socialize, play, and grow. School design needs to encourage independent thinking and creativity, while providing spaces that support collaboration and technology literacy. So instead of designing schools that expect students to learn in the same way, what if we allowed students to learn in environments that best suit their needs?
Spaces that adapt to the needs of the student–from groupthink to individual learning.
The renovated media center provides collaboration space that allows for group work and learning as well as offering quieter spaces for individual students.
Mentor High School “The Hub” | Mentor, OH
Clusters of five classrooms sit around a common space with a stage, mobile dry-erase boards, short range projectors, and flexible furniture. Flexible interior elements like garage doors allow educators to create a traditional classroom setting, but can open for collaborative, project-based learning.
North Olmsted 6-12 School | North Olmsted, OH
Each wall within the classroom serves a purpose–windows for natural light, a moveable wall for the ability for small group space or the ability to open to one large classroom, a tackable wall and a showcase wall to display student work.
Campus International K-8 School | Cleveland, OH
Students gather in a collaborative space outfitted with a teaching wall, small platform stage area, a variety of seating, and workspace choices for group or individual learning. These areas connect to learning labs, maker spaces, or small group areas as well as an outdoor learning area.
North Ridgeville 3-8 School | North Ridgeville, OH
“One of the goals was to make the spaces flexible, so that teacher instruction matches the space…
At times, you need to introduce a concept to a large group of students, or you need room for collaborative learning groups. Other times, you will need students doing independent work.”
Incorporating learning outside of the classroom.
Designed to serve as a teaching tool for students, Max S. Hayes Career Technical High School in Cleveland features the interior parts of an elevator and exposed mechanical and plumbing to demonstrate how systems work.
Connecting students to spaces and 21st century technology.
A collaborative environment which incorporates the latest technology and flexible furniture.
Paradigm Center | Mentor, OH
Students design in the fabrication lab which is located adjacent to a plaza so that fabrication projects can be constructed outdoors when desired.
North Ridgeville 3-8 School | North Ridgeville, OH
Features three distinct, yet interconnected spaces, including a research center, collaboration classroom and a Maker’s Space to bring students’ ideas to life with 3-D printers, embroidery machines, laser cutters, tools and more.
Innovation Center | Chagrin Falls, OH
Students are provided with a tablet device to assist in their learning. A smart board located in the hallway extends the boundaries of the classroom and provides a comfortable, flexible setting.
Willoughby-Eastlake School of Innovation | Willoughby, OH
A small renovation can make a huge impact: garage doors and updated technology were added to the North Ridgeville Early Learning Village to support collaborative instruction.
North Ridgeville Early Learning Village | North Ridgeville, OH
“I really think these spaces help support the 21st century skills we are trying to teach…
We want our students collaborating and using technology to solve problems and think critically, and these spaces really support that.”
Walk the halls of your new school – before it’s even built.
Willoughby-Eastlake Longfellow Elementary School students learned about being an architect and walked the halls of their future school (currently in construction) during career day.
Prioritizing mental and physical wellness
Environments that support student-centered learning can also serve to promote the overall health and well-being of those who use them.
So, what if we placed students at the center of learning?
We know each situation presents unique challenges, vision, opportunities and inspiration. We love that. We also love dessert.
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