Surprise, surprise: Students excel in modernized K-12 school buildings

More than 49 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools as of fall 2021, according to the Digest of Education Statistics. Coincidentally, that number (the “49” in 49 million) matches the average age of a main instructional school building in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. More alarming, nearly four in 10 schools (38%) were built before 1970—and half of those have never had a major building renovation or addition.

Clearly, too many of the nation’s school districts are having to make it work with less-than-ideal educational facilities. But at what cost to student performance and staff satisfaction?

Newly released findings from a 28-school research study by Drexel University and Perkins Eastman reveal a strong correlation between the quality of school building environments and key educational indicators like test scores, graduation rates, enrollment, teacher retention—even community health and wellness.

The study, “Addressing a Multi-Billion Dollar Challenge” (140-page PDF download at BDCnetwork.com/2024-school-study), investigated the differences between modernized and non-modernized elementary, middle, and high schools—17 modernized, 11 non-modernized—throughout Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. 

The primary finding: When measuring the educational adequacy of schools, modernized schools outperformed non-modernized schools by a wide margin, representing 13 of the top 15 performers, including the top 11 schools. The research team looked at factors such as instructional space, safety and security, environmental quality, extended learning, assembly, community, organization, and civic presence.

Drexel and Perkins Eastman hope the study will inform school districts on how best to invest limited CapEx funds. Some recommendations from the research:

• Upgrades that enhance indoor environmental quality—air quality, lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort—can positively impact students’ ability to focus and learn.

• However, they warn that small incremental upgrades over time to items like HVAC systems can lead to potential detrimental impacts to the learning environments (e.g., unsightly conduit, blockage of windows).

• These five areas offer the greatest opportunity for improvement: instructional space ambiance, exterior presence, safety and security, community assembly space, and main office location.

• Overall, modernized schools better serve their community by being able to host initiatives like health clinics, food distribution programs, and public recreational facilities.   

Download the full report at: BDCnetwork.com/2024-school-study.