Our Foundation's Schools as Centers of Community initiative is inspiring the public to become engaged in their local schools, and encouraging the school district and the community to build partnerships to provide new and exciting ways to utilize what was formerly known as just "the local school."
We provide the tools, research, publications, and funding that inspire and aid community conversation and engagement, and encourage partnerships between school districts and community organizations that culminate in much-needed on-site community services and activities, such as health clinics, gymnasiums, or even evening courses for adults.
The planning and design process of a school facility is complex, as are the Foundation's recommendations for guiding it. Below is just a sample of the criteria we recommend all communities and school districts consider when rebuilding their schools. Engaging Communities in the Design Process
The Foundation believes that authentic and early community engagement in the planning and design of a new school is critical to both the development of the school's overall academic mission and community use. When considering community engagement, questions school districts might ask themselves include: - Why do we want to engage the community?
- How will we engage community members?
- How will the community's aspirations be reflected in the planning and design of our facility?
For more in-depth information see our Community Engagement Guide and Schools as Centers of Community: Citizen's Guide for Planning and Design. Partnering and Collaborating with Communities
One of the most promising trends in school design is the growing collaboration of school districts with other civic institutions in an effort to maximize public resources and provide new opportunities for learning. When considering facility partnerships and community collaboration, questions communities might ask themselves include: - What are the needs and assets of the community?
- What community organizations could we partner with that would benefit both students and community members?
- What resources are duplicated in both the community and school (e.g., public library, gymnasium, or theater)?
- What academic, physical, and emotional needs do our students have that might be most effectively fulfilled through community partnerships?
Designing a Welcoming Facility
In designing a school for community use, a host of factors must be considered, including the safety of children, and community accessibility. Questions community and school members might consider include: - How can learning spaces be designed to accommodate both student and community use?
- How can we give community members easy access to on-site facilities?
- How do we design an entrance and lobby that welcomes our community members?
- How do we create nighttime safety after hours?
Anchoring the School within the Community
Assuming its location is well-planned, a new school can become the "anchor" for the entire community and encourage other civic initiatives that sustain and help the community to thrive. But too often in the past, school districts have opted to build a new school on the edges of a community on the assumption that children can either be bussed or driven to school. Questions communities might consider to help ensure smart development include: - Where can we build that gives the school the greatest access to community resources, and gives community members the greatest access to the school?
- How can we sustain and build upon existing neighborhoods?
- How can we preserve open spaces?
Further Reading:
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