Using simple materials, bold colors, and an exterior that complements its surroundings, this earthquake-proof school (enrollment: 460) cost $2.8 million. It has received numerous awards and enthusiastic response from administrators, teachers, students, and the community. (PB)

Old schools are among the finest examples we have of period architecture, craftsmanship, and decorative use of building and art materials. Advises on how to decide if a school is worth saving, identifies preservation groups that can help, and describes three New Jersey schools that are classics. (MLF)

The community, students, and staff were given a voice in the design of this junior high building. (IRT)

Describes the measures taken to plan and design a unique elementary school. (JF)

Fernbrook Elementary School in Maple Grove, Minnesota, is designed with simplicity and flexibility. Interior walls can be torn down or moved around to accommodate future changes. The prototype design is expected to be used for at least four additional schools. (MLF)

An Illinois high school provided an innovative, low-cost solution to decorating the hallways of the school. It set up a committee of students and staff who decided on designs, then used supervised students to do mural paintings in the halls. (MD)

Describes one district's successful experience with the shift to an open plan school. (WM)

Describes the main structural features of a new high school built using component building systems. (DN)

Describes how a Michigan school district transformed several free-standing, "warm-weather" high school buildings into clustered areas connected by enclosed corridors. Space is now grouped by instructional area or the use of related equipment, and the building shell is tight and energy-efficient. (MLH)

Four profiles illustrate how architects designed additions to high schools that were considered obsolete. (Author)

A recently completed elementary school in Dublin, Ohio, has a 13-acre school-in-a-park locale shared with the community. On evenings and weekends, area residents have access to the school's activities area for a self-contained community center. (MLF)

Middle schools are not designed for good learning experiences. A teacher points out easy and inexpensive ways to improve the classroom environment. (MD)

By repeating innovative, modular building design and by teamwork among school executives, an architect, and a capital expenditure manager, this school system cut $32 per square foot from anticipated building costs. The district also achieved security, low maintenance, and pleasant learning environments. (PB)