Publisher Description

The five volumes in the Schools of the Future set are uniquely valuable, comprehensive resources for all the stakeholders involved in a public school construction project, whether a new building, addition, or renovation. Each of these books—The Elementary School of the Future, The Middle School of the Future, The High School of the Future, and the forthcoming Magnet and Specialized Schools of the Future and The Community College of the Future—brings together essential information on every stage of the process of creating a new public educational facility. Unlike other books on school design, which are geared toward architects and engineers, the Schools of the Future books have been created especially for boards of education, school building committees, district superintendents, and other decision makers, offering them essential guidance on: ensuring that schools built today serve tomorrow's educational needs, using technological advances to control burgeoning square-footages, accommodating community groups and other after-hours users of school facilities, mounting effective campaigns to pass school-bond referenda, and planning, designing, and managing school construction projects collaboratively. This volume features case studies of recent exemplary elementary school construction projects, and provides a detailed educational specification that's genuinely future-oriented. Sustained attention is given to numerous issues influencing contemporary public school design including: the need to protect indoor environmental quality, the mandate to accommodate special-needs students, the desirability of sustainable design, and the need for good acoustical design.

Author Biography

Edwin T. Merritt has supervised many school construction projects as superintendent of public school districts in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Now Fletcher-Thompson, Inc.'s director of Educational Planning and Research, Merritt has written extensively on future-oriented school planning and design and is the recipient of numerous awards. James A. Beaudin has participated in the design of more than 100 schools in nearly 50 communities as the Principal of Fletcher-Thompson, Inc.'s Education Practice Group. Under his direction, the Education Practice Group has created more than 7.5 million square feet of educational space.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Yesterday and Today Part 2 Creating Schools Collaboratively Part 3 The Elementary School of the Future Part 4 Issues in Elementary School Planning, Design, and Construction

Review

These new offerings on school facilities construction are excellent references that chronicle how much has changed in the past 10-15 years. It is also evident that changes will continue in the years to come and the need to be constantly aware of new developments. They begin to enlighten us on some of the issues and various constituencies we need to address and respond to whenever we are considering new or renovation projects. These books are another valuable tool you can refer to when creating an optimum educational environment for our children. -- Bert Huszcza, past president, ASBO International
The Elementary School of the Future is an extremely valuable tool for school boards, public building committees, and superintendents who are beginning the process of building or renovating an elementary school in their community. -- David H. Larson, Ph.D., executive director, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents

Long Description

The five volumes in the Schools of the Future set are uniquely valuable, comprehensive resources for all the stakeholders involved in a public school construction project, whether a new building, addition, or renovation. Each of these books--The Elementary School of the Future, The Middle School of the Future, The High School of the Future, and the forthcoming Magnet and Specialized Schools of the Future and The Community College of the Future--brings together essential information on every stage of the process of creating a new public educational facility. Unlike other books on school design, which are geared toward architects and engineers, the Schools of the Future books have been created especially for boards of education, school building committees, district superintendents, and other decision makers, offering them essential guidance on: ensuring that schools built today serve tomorrow's educational needs, using technological advances to control burgeoning square-footages, accommodating community groups and other after-hours users of school facilities, mounting effective campaigns to pass school-bond referenda, and planning, designing, and managing school construction projects collaboratively. This volume features case studies of recent exemplary elementary school construction projects, and provides a detailed educational specification that's genuinely future-oriented. Sustained attention is given to numerous issues influencing contemporary public school design including: the need to protect indoor environmental quality, the mandate to accommodate special-needs students, the desirability of sustainable design, and the need for good acoustical design.

Review Quote

These new offerings on school facilities construction are excellent references that chronicle how much has changed in the past 10-15 years. It is also evident that changes will continue in the years to come and the need to be constantly aware of new developments. They begin to enlighten us on some of the issues and various constituencies we need to address and respond to whenever we are considering new or renovation projects. These books are another valuable tool you can refer to when creating an optimum educational environment for our children.

Details