1. A New School from the Students’ Perspective
A Post Occupancy Evaluation through the Eyes of
Students
CEFPI World Congress – San Antonio
September 2012
Tammie Yeadon, Charleston County School District
Andrea McLean, Heery International
2. Campus Overview
Redevelopment of Bonds Wilson Campus for 3
district-wide magnet schools
• Academic Magnet High School (AMHS)
– National Ranking: 7th (2008 Newsweek cover story)
– Named Gold Medal School (US News & World Report 2012)
• School of the Arts High School (SOA)
– Named Gold Medal School (US News & World Report 2012)
• School of the Arts Middle School
• Added a District-wide Hearing Impaired Program
3. Campus Overview
• Budget:
– $97,950,319
• Student Capacity & Size:
– 1,825 students
– Approx 330,716 sq ft on 42.5 acres
• Schedule:
– Campus opened in 3 phases:
• SOA – 01/10
• PAC – 04/10
• AMHS – 08/10
7. School Overview
SOA
• Admission based on
competitive audition:
– Creative writing
– Dance
– Instrumental band
– Piano
– String orchestra
– Theater arts
– Visual arts
– Vocal music
AMHS
• Admission based on:
– MS grades
– Test scores
– Teacher recommendations
– Written essay
• SAT scores second best in state
since 1998
• Graduates must:
– Complete original thesis
– Fulfill 90 hours of service
– Complete 4 AP courses
– Complete 1 year with mentor &
teacher advisor for graduate level
research project
8. Vision & Philosophy
• Part of City’s historic
neighborhood transformation
plan to sustainable community
• Equity in academic & social
needs
• Fusion of art & science
curriculum
• Designed to LEED silver
standards
• Help promote economic
equity
• One shared campus supports 3
schools, saving operations
money
9. Design Elements Addressed
• Overall campus:
– Sustainability
– School communities
– Safety & security
– Complexity
– Shared campus
– Technology
– MS & HS interface
– Community interface
10. Post Occupancy Evaluation Topics
• Campus & building layout
• Interior spaces:
– Hallways
– Classrooms
– Shared & in between
spaces
– Admin areas
• Appearance & aesthetics
• FF&E
• Learning in the spaces
11. Campus & Building Lay Out
• What we learned:
– Students love to
congregate for both social
and study
– Lounge areas & outdoor
space is important
– Variety of spaces &
different size spaces are
great
– Like the daylight (except
when using Smartboard)
– Amenities are both noted
and appreciated
REVIEW NOTE: Main video will be shown here
13. Interior Spaces
• What we learned:
– Any place on campus is a
learning space – students
loved this aspect
– Some areas are reserved
for students that earn right
to access them
– Outdoor space is just as
popular as indoor space
– Lounge space is important
– Most prefer intimacy of
600 seat theater over
larger theater space
REVIEW NOTE: Interior Spaces video will be shown here
16. Appearance & Aesthetics
• What we learned:
– Love the classrooms but
windows, blinds and
Smartboards compete
with one another
REVIEW NOTE: short video shown here
24. FF&E
• CCSD developed
strategic sourcing plan
for FF&E for all capital
projects
• Developed standards to
update FF&E
• FF&E reflects school
curriculum &
educational models
REVIEW NOTE: FF&E video will be shown here
Strategic
Sourcing
Best
Practice
sharing
Spec
Create
partnership
with
Suppliers
Access to
new
Suppliers
Cost Savings
Increase
Quality
Standardize
Pricing
25. FF&E Goals
• Establish FF&E standards for all school levels
– FF&E must support learning & teaching climate &
classroom activities
– Incorporate new trends as they develop
– Apply to existing & new schools
– Provide a variety of furniture, properly equip all
areas
– FF&E should improve school climate & impact
learning
26. Strategic Sourcing
• Standardization of FF&E improves quality, equity
& safety
• Centralized procurement reduces costs
• Centralized management eliminates inequities
• Strategic sourcing allowed CCSD to buy best
product & services at best value
• Decisions were based on research
• Allows for continuous improvement of standards
27. FF&E
• What we learned:
– Students love the different
choices & colors
– Separate desks & chairs
work better
– Desks & tables allow room
to spread out & work
– Soft seating “like at home”
is great
– Ergonomics were both
noticed & appreciated
28. Learning in the Spaces
• Students feel the school
spaces support their
learning environment
• They love the variety of
furniture provided
• Students do recognize
what a great school
they have
REVIEW NOTE: Short video will be shown here
29. Summary
• “The Center of Arts and Academics epitomizes what is possible
when schools, community members, local government
leaders, and design and construction professions collaborate
in a shared vision. Not only do the students have facilities
suited to their unique interests, but the CAA campus is a point
of pride for everyone in Charleston County.” – William Lewis, CCDS
Chief Operating Officer for Capital Programs
• The students couldn’t agree more!
