The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and KnowledgeWorks Foundation have partnered to create a video case study and discussion guide that will educate local leaders and residents about the benefits of creating “Schools as Centers of Community.”

This video showcases the transformative story of John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School, by Ankeny Kell Architects, a struggling St. Paul, public school that is reborn as a beacon of academic excellence, design innovation, and community involvement. In keeping with the latest thinking in school design and planning, John A. Johnson opens its doors to the community so that it may both benefit from local resources and offer social, fitness, and educational services in return. John A. Johnson is a recent winner of the Richard W. Riley Award for Excellence for Schools as Centers of Community.

The “Schools as Centers of Community” model of school planning and design is growing increasingly popular in the U.S. Schools are becoming a gathering place—a place of lifelong learning, shared health and fitness facilities, and a host of other services to enhance community and student success. At its core, this is also a question of design. To create “schools as centers of community,” architects, educators, designers, local officials, and residents must think differently about our schools and create spaces that reflect a new understanding of the school building.

An idea whose time has come
“Creating schools that serve as centers of community is an idea whose time has come,” said Ronald E. Bogle, president and CEO of the American Architectural Foundation. “Schools that are integrated into the fabric of their communities can take advantage of the many resources in the local neighborhood, while providing wonderful services for the community itself. Community involvement in school building projects is essential at a time when the United States is spending nearly $30 billion annually on school construction and renovation.”

This 17-minute video and discussion guide are part of AAF’s growing Great Schools by Design resource library. The video, in DVD format, is accompanied by a printed discussion guide that will help local leaders, individuals, and community groups guide conversations about the topics raised in the video. Viewers will learn more about the story of John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School and discuss how this example relates to their own community.

“By creating school facilities that accommodate a wide range of community activities and support student and community use outside of traditional school hours, communities create new and more effective opportunities for students, adults, and other community members,” says Chad P. Wick, president and CEO of KnowledgeWorks Foundation. “It is important that communities across the country consider this significant strategy for school excellence.”

Launched in 2003 by the American Architectural Foundation, the Great Schools by Design initiative aims to improve the quality of America’s schools by promoting good design, encouraging collaboration in the school design process, and providing leading-edge resources to local community leaders. The AAF and KnowledgeWorks Foundation are providing a limited number of videos and discussion guides at no charge to individuals, school groups, and other community groups. Request copies by sending an e-mail to info@archfoundation.org or by calling the AAF, 202-626-7318. In addition, the “Schools as Centers of Community” video and a full PDF of the discussion guide are available on AAF Web site.

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