Did You Know? BCA’s Five Ways to Design Student Sucess

Christopher High School in Gilroy California has been recognized for incorporating all five important design aspects to stimulate student success

For years, professional organizations and governmental agencies have been calling attention to the deteriorating condition of the nation’s schools.  It’s widely recognized that students in classrooms with adverse conditions are absent more often, lose hours in the classroom, and are less productive.

Here are five educational design aspects that BCA has mastered, effectively working to shift the paradigm and help students succeed in the classroom.

1.  Safety

Whether speaking of students’ personal safety or the general safety of their built physical learning environment, schools should be in good physical condition and “personal safety” should be guaranteed in order for effective learning to occur.

2.  Intrinsic Motivation

Without a doubt, the quality of school’s design has an impact on student motivation. Most students learn more and achieve at higher levels if the school’s design can evoke positive emotions. Both teachers and students are more effective in a creatively-designed and well thought out environment – one that students and teachers can be proud to see every morning.

3.  Comfort

The condition of a school is very important to help students find a degree of mental and physical comfort in their surroundings. In general terms, students don’t want to come to school and look at an unmaintained building. Well-kept and clean environments have shown to have a calming and positive affect on students and staff moods.

4.  Peer Behavior

Peer behavior and conduct can be a catalyst in determining success, as well a possible distraction from accomplishing educational tasks and goals. When provided with a well-designed environment, students feel an elevated level of professionalism and are thus are more respectful towards one another.

5.  Learning Space 

Students can feel irritated if placed in a small, or overcrowded environment. Adequate amounts of natural day lighting and properly ventilated and air-conditioned spaces contribute to effective student learning. Also, interactive whiteboards, WiFi and other helpful learning tools offer a comprehensive and creative approach to education.

BCA Architects designed the newly opened Christopher High School in Gilroy, California. When compared to the neighboring and elder Gilroy High School, it is clearly seen how BCA’s innovative designs provide for a positive learning environment.

2011

Gilroy High School API Scores 740 2011

Christopher High School API Scores 796 (7.6% increase)

2010

Gilroy High School API Scores 729 2010

Christopher High School API Scores 783 (7.4% increase)

The Students of CHS are the same students that were at Gilroy HS the previous year. The Teachers of CHS are the same teachers that were at Gilroy HS the previous year.

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