Planning Rationale
The typical classrooms are efficient instructional spaces that support communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Students acquire not only their knowledge of the content, but also have the opportunity for advancing their soft skills. These spaces allow for a range of instruction styles including lecture based instruction and a range of participation and research by students, including individual and group work. As such, the basic organization of the classroom with two teaching walls, movable furniture, equipment and storage allows for flexibility of the room layout.
Design Considerations
Location
Classrooms shall follow all code requirements and shall not be located at the basement level areas with a floor level 2’-0” or more below grade. All classrooms are to have equal access to daylight and views. Grade levels shall be grouped together.
Classroom Layout
Classrooms shall have primary and secondary teaching walls, a teacher’s station, mobile laptop/tablet charging cart, and furniture based storage and bookcases.
- The Primary Teaching Wall: Located adjacent to the main classroom entry and perpendicular to exterior walls to reduce glare from windows.
- The Primary Teaching Wall includes a main marker board with tack surface located on both sides of the marker board. Tack strips to be located above marker board.
- Infrastructure for one or more of the following possibilities that are supplied by the school: short throw projector, interactive whiteboard, smartTV (centered above marker board)
- Clock (centered above marker board)
- Wall mounted intercom station located at the Teacher’s Station
- Teacher’s Station shall be located at the Primary Teaching Wall near the window/exterior wall with a direct line of sight of the entry door and student desks. Teacher’s Station to be mobile and comprised of three parts including a desk, box/file pedestal and lectern.
- The Secondary Teaching Wall: Located opposite the Primary Teaching Wall.
- The Secondary Teaching Wall includes an option of a traditional marker board and tack surface configuration OR
- (3) Frameless Vertical Marker Boards
- Student Desks: Individual desks and chairs to be arranged to provide clear sight lines to Primary Teaching Wall.
- Classroom Entry Wall:
- All exit doors shall swing out into the corridor and to be recessed so as not to infringe on corridor traffic.
- Furniture based elements are located along this wall including but not limited to wardrobe, cabinets, bookcases, and mobile laptop/tablet charging chart.
- IT Concentrator Enclosures serving classrooms are to be located in an adjoining storage, prep or workroom as the first location preference. If such space is not available then placement of the enclosure in a classroom is an acceptable alternative. The enclosure would be placed on the corridor wall next to the door alcove. See Chapter 9.0 for additional information.
- Window/Exterior Wall:
- Vertical Tack Panels 12” wide; mounted between windows on window wall when space allows.
- All classrooms shall have equal access to natural light and views to the exterior.
- Every operable window shall be accessible. A minimum of 2 operable/accessible to be provided for each classroom.
- Window shades with 3-5% openness shall be provided at every window.
Finishes
- Walls: Within the classrooms are to be painted a neutral color (3 walls) with one wall painted an accent color. If the primary teaching wall color is the accent wall, it shall not be a saturated color or be in high contrast to the marker board writing surface to avoid student eye strain. See 2.3.1 Standard Finishes.
- Floors: (3) color random pattern throughout for long-term maintenance and replacement. The random pattern should provide some visual stimulation and help mask soiling. See 2.3.1 Standard Finishes.
- Ceilings: Acoustical Ceiling Tile (NRC 0.7) 2’-0” x 2’-0” ceiling tile in grid. See 2.3.1 Standard Finishes.
Pull-out Rooms
Pull-out rooms are considered on a case by case basis when planning new schools and are identified in the approved program for new construction. Pull-out rooms are strategically placed near standard classroom spaces and are spaced throughout the building. Pull-out classrooms are used in a variety of ways from one on one teaching to small group learning. Pullout rooms shall include a primary teaching wall and secondary teaching wall if space permits. These rooms shall be accessed from the corridor and may be accessed from adjacent classrooms. When provided, full visibility to the corridor is required along with vision panels in doors.