21st-Century Buildings: Essential for Successful Teaching and Learning
Three brand new school buildings opened in Baltimore City Public Schools in 2013-14. The planning and design of these buildings predated the launch of the district’s 21st-Century Buildings Plan, which will drive the renovation or replacement of all district school buildings in the coming years. But these buildings underscore the role space plays in supporting successful teaching and learning. And they reflect City Schools’ hopes for all of its 85,000 students.
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There’s more thinking space. You can think anywhere. – Kylea, 5th-grade student, Waverly Elementary/Middle School
The facility is beautiful. It’s just so fresh and clean, and it’s so up to date. The kids don’t stay in just one class, they can move around in the building and get taught at the right level for them.
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– Chanel, parent, Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School
I have space! It allows the students to spread out and take chances with bigger work and there’s an aesthetic calm. I think they’re more at ease. – Rebecca Belleville, art teacher, Baltimore Design School
“We have a lot of wall space and board space. It can be a humanities laboratory. We can try out different ideas. We have wonderful light. We can display things. This is our space to take chances and learn and try new things.” – Michael Russell, geography and U.S. history teacher, Baltimore Design School
“I love the movable pod and the students like it a lot. We call it ‘our house.’ The white board is their height. I think it helps them learn better because they look at it and they’re more engaged and they write a lot.”
“I think the fact that we’re learning in a better environment helps me learn more.” – Zen, 8th-grade student, Baltimore Design School
– Maria Ontiveros, teacher intern, Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School
“I especially like the glass windows and skylights. The sun helps you think and smile.” – Dayja, 5th-grade student, Waverly Elementary/Middle School
The flexible space and mobile structures “challenge the teachers and students to create different learning for different students.” – Lance McCoy, 6th-grade social studies teacher, Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School
“Success is more than nature. Environmental elements, such as lighting and space—all of that influences the child. I’m grateful that students in Baltimore will get the experience which other students in more affluent areas experience. It will affect their learning.” –Danielle Casson, science teacher, Waverly Elementary/Middle School
Implementation of the 21st-Century Buildings Plan is an essential body of work that City Schools could not do without the strong leadership and support of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, other city and state officials and the district’s many partners.