Principal describes his experience in planning for the opening of a new high school. (PKP)

Just as technology has changed the way teachers teach and students learn, so too has technology transformed the way our industry manages school construction programs. Gone are the days when a school construction project had to be planned around the limitations of the contractor rather than the needs of students. Also different are the ways schools…

Declining enrollments and consolidation of school building resources throughout the 1970's resulted in strains on educational facilities as baby boomers now crowd classrooms in the 1980's. Outlines factors administrators should consider when deciding whether to begin new construction projects or remodel existing facilities. (MD)

Provides an outline of items for consideration when planning construction projects for new educational facilities. Establishing checkpoints, calendaring events, delineating responsibilities, and developing a checklist and timeline to follow during planning and construction as well as a close-out audit help ensure success. Includes a copy of a…

To meet the need for a new 750-student elementary school and avoid future underuse problems in one Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland) neighborhood, Thomas Clark Associates developed a program of prefabricated classroom and classroom support spaces. This program will allow the school to be moved to another site if enrollment changes. (MLH)

Recent studies show that built environment is a key element in a school's overall success. Since today's educators promote a thinking-based, integrated curriculum, the learning environment is especially important. Landscape architects can create ecosystems for students to explore, study, and adapt. Structural engineers can create lessons in…

Describes a Colorado school district's efforts to design and construct a compact, efficient, space-saving elementary school adapted to a wooded, aesthetically pleasing site. The project's complete cost, including interior furnishings and equipment, came to $52.60 per gross square foot, or $4,189 per student. The community is inordinately proud of…

School planning isn't easy. Compromises can inadvertently undermine critical health and safety features. Errors can go undetected until too late, becoming apparent only after the cement is dry. As a school design consultant, the author is often pointing out dysfunctional elements in otherwise fine school buildings. He would much rather catch them…

School construction overruns and other disappointments usually stem from inadequate planning, mismanagement, and inexperienced individuals. This article shows how to compute "ballpark" estimates based on a district's unique planning requirements for curriculum, scheduling, and class sizes; screen firms' and individuals' qualifications;…

Describes how two school districts--one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the other in Yorktown, Virginia--involved their communities in a school building and renovation planning process called discovery through viewpoint and diagram (DVD). (PKP)

Describes the partnership between high-tech industries and the schools in Orlando, Florida, which resulted in the planning and development of a $30 million high school known as "The Educational City of the Future." (MD)