Facilities that make it easier for staff to supervise students and reduce outside interruptions result in a better learning environment.

Even though school shootings have made headlines this year and last, schools remain among the safest places for students, according to a recent study by the Justice Policy Institute. However, school administrators and architects should remain vigilant in their efforts to design, build, and operate schools that are secure from vandalism and free of student rights and other acts of violence, Safety and security are recognized as the most important facility design factors affecting the learning process.

The equation is simple: Facilities that make it easier for staff to supervise students and reduce outside interruptions result in a better-behaved student body and a better learning environment.

With this in mind, what can be done to increase security and student supervision at schools and allow students and teachers to focus on education? There are several design techniques that move toward a more secure education environment.

Eliminate Stairwells

A one-level design can improve school security by eliminating stairwells, which are often cited by educators as trouble spots for fights and cigarette smoking. Some schools have responded to trouble in stairwells by placing teachers on each landing during class changes to monitor student behavior.

Teachers would argue that preparing for classes rather than serving as a stairwell monitor is a better use of their time. A one-level school eliminates the need to monitor stairwells and offers the added benefit of reducing non-educational space, which improves the overall efficiency of the floor plan.

Strategically Place Planning Areas

Hallways are also a source of trouble and places where teachers spend precious class planning time monitoring bad behavior. One solution is to place teacher planning rooms strategically along main corridors where they can plan for their classes and keep a watchful eye on students in the hallways. An office with windows on three sides that extends into the hall has been successful, providing an almost 180-degree view of the corridor and bathroom entrances. Students are less likely to act up when teachers are nearby and, at the same time, teachers can complete their lesson planning.