As we begin the design work for our three new schools, and all the work we’re doing to improve the learning environments for our children, we’ve created some guiding principles to follow. Here they are:
- Provide integrated and flexible teaching and learning spaces that serve the diverse needs of the whole child, accommodate diverse learning styles and teaching modalities, and support academic achievement for all students.
- Create a secure, safe, and accessible campus for students, staff, visitors, and all users. Employ best practices and appropriate security measures within buildings and across the entire site. Ensure pedestrian safety at vehicle and bus zones.
- Welcome and support the community with spaces that accommodate broad involvement, promote unity, and foster a sense of belonging.
- Size spaces appropriately for the activities they will serve. Provide dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces for specific functions, from small-scale individual learning spaces to school-wide and community events.
- Integrate the most current technology throughout the entire facility and ensure there is capacity to adapt to changing technology.
- Honor the history, identity, and culture of each unique school community, and recognize the unique natural and cultural influences of the Pacific Northwest region.
- Create a facility that is easy to service and maintain, durable, adaptable to changing patterns of use, and capable of growing as needed over time.