At Jos. Schmitt Construction, some of the most rewarding work we do is school construction. Regardless of whether it’s a small renovation or a completely new project, the positive impact it can have on the students, teachers, and community as a whole is immeasurable. Read on to learn more about all the ways modernized school facilities can improve student performance, teacher retention, and more—and how we can help make it possible.
Why Do New Schools & School Renovations Matter?
The need for new or renovated school facilities will always be an ongoing need due to our education system’s ageing infrastructure (The average school building is nearly half a century old!), outdated facilities, and ever-evolving educational needs.
But you may be wondering: Is newer always better? Here’s why it’s important to renovate or rebuild schools:
- Safety & accessibility: Old schools can pose safety risks and prevent accessibility for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
- Technological advancements: Education has changed significantly from what it was even a decade ago, requiring accommodations for new methods and technologies.
- Energy Efficiency: Schools with outdated windows, lighting, or HVAC systems can pose serious health risks to students and staff, as well as result in high operational costs.
What are the Positive Impacts of School Construction?
1. Increases Student Performance
Studies have proven that modern, newly updated school facilities can increase test scores by an average of 10% in math and an average of 5% in language arts. It can also boost attendance rates, with students showing up for an additional four days of school per year.
That’s because the ultimate goal of school construction projects is to make learning easier. And once it’s easier (and more enjoyable) to learn, performance has been shown to improve. Examples of school construction changes that can positively impact student performance include:
- Multi-functional classrooms: Depending on the teaching methods, group size, and student needs, these rooms can be configured to create personalized learning environments.
- Common areas: Create opportunities for socialization, communication, and collaboration that help build healthy, enduring relationships amongst students.
- Plenty of natural light: A study found that students with more natural light progressed 26% faster in one year on reading tests than students who received less.
- Upgraded ventilation systems: Allow for proper air circulation, boosting student immunity and decreasing the number of reported sick days.
- Modern media centers: Digital literacy is a critical skill in today’s world, which is why media centers are a helpful tool for educating students on a wide variety of technology use.
- Durable materials: By using low-maintenance, long-lasting materials, the school facilities will last longer (and be enjoyed more by students) before breaking down.
Remember: When it comes to school construction projects, the #1 beneficiary should always be the students. Whether it’s to build a new school or make updates to an existing one, the whole reason for doing so is to improve the student experience.
2. Improves Student & Teacher Safety
When parents send their children to school, they often have one major thing on their mind: safety. However, what many parents don’t realize is that safety features in new school construction go beyond just the standard alarm systems, double doorways, and window locks. Modern designs also include:
- Accessible emergency exits
- Strategic stairway locations
- Hallways with clear sight-lines
- Controlled access points
These things can have a profound impact on the lives of teachers and students in an emergency situation. Parents can rest easy knowing that there are preventative measures in place to keep their loved ones safe, while teachers and students are also provided the comfort they need to put their energy towards learning, not worrying.
3. Encourages Teacher Retention
Students aren’t the only ones who benefit from a new school or renovation. Teachers at more modern, recently renovated schools tend to report better morale, increased job satisfaction, and lower turnover rates than those working in a more outdated environment.
In fact, it’s been reported that these factors are more likely to affect a teacher’s decision to stay or leave than dissatisfaction with pay. That’s because the quality of the school can severely impact a teacher’s stress levels and their ability to do their job properly. In new or updated school construction, teachers have been found to value:
- Proper lighting
- Temperature control
- Spacious classrooms
- Integrated technology
- Space to collaborate with peers (ex: teacher’s lounges)
4. Boosts Community Morale
What do you think the number one thing is that people look up when buying a home in a new community? It’s the quality of the local schools! New or recently renovated schools can help increase property values, decrease crime rates, and strengthen local connections through community-held events (such as sports games).
But that’s not where the benefits stop! Many times, these projects are funded by taxpayer dollars, which means that everyone in a community contributes to them in some way. That means when a school project is done right, it’s something that the entire community gets to feel proud of—regardless of whether they have children in the school or not.
Trust Jos. Schmitt With Your Next School Construction Project
At Jos. Schmitt Construction, we understand the importance of creating state-of-the-art, student-centered spaces. For decades, we’ve helped our clients create educational environments that inspire, innovate, and endure, allowing for the generations of students that follow to be set up for success.
Check out our video below outlining some of the work we did to improve Oostburg Christian School in Oostburg, Wisconsin! Then, if you’re ready to begin exploring what’s possible at a school near you, contact us today.
