The upper school underwent numerous changes during the summer, most notably the addition of new seating infrastructure in the science and math spaces, as well as the library and pods.
The updates were made possible through a grant from the David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation, awarded after the school submitted a proposal written by Science Department Chair Dr. Daniel Goduti and Math Department Chair Mr. Justin Gaudreau.
The foundation, which focused on STEM education, also awarded a second grant to support faculty professional development.
The project was based on best practices for engaging, student-centered classrooms that administrators had observed at peer schools across the country. To execute the plan, the school partnered with Corbett, Inc., a design firm specializing in active classroom furniture.
Representatives from multiple school areas, including academics, business, facilities, communications, and technology, worked together to finalize decisions, even traveling to Norristown to evaluate the furniture firsthand. In total, fifteen classrooms, two offices, and four pods in the upper school were updated.
The decision to focus on the upper school was intended to ensure the greatest impact, as the middle school was redone five years ago, and the lower school is already undergoing related projects.
Student responses to the changes have been mixed. Many students have found the new seating difficult to manage, even as they recognize improvements in other areas of the campus.
“I don’t like the [new] chairs [in the math and science classrooms], because they take a lot of effort to move them even a little bit,” Fifth Former Anantvir Othie said.
The project also included updated library seating and flexible classroom layouts intended to support collaborative work, but many students have had trouble seeing the benefits.
“I’m extremely happy with the redesign of the library because the couch can fit more people. I used to have to sit on the floor when the seating was taken.”
Eli Dixon ’27
“I was displeased with the change in chairs because I couldn’t move in the slightest. I like to ask, ‘what’s the point in having wheels if they don’t move?’” Fifth Former Eli Dixon said. “I didn’t even realize there was a change in the whiteboards.”
Other students echoed this lack of mobility in the chairs and the addition of similar whiteboards.
“I do not see a difference between the old whiteboards and the new ones. You can write on both and erase on both. They’re just whiteboards,” Sixth Former Jack Ford said. “For the chairs, I think they are a perfect example of something that works better in theory than in practice. While they do prevent students from rolling around during class, they also make it extremely difficult to push yourself in or adjust your position after you have sat in them. This makes it very annoying to use during class, and overall has caused more frustration for me than the previous ones.”
Other students approve of the new library design, which has made daily life more comfortable. The library was under construction the entire summer, under the leadership of Library Services Coordinator Mrs. Marla Wilson.
“I’m extremely happy with the redesign of the library because the couch can fit more people. I used to have to sit on the floor when the seating was taken,” Dixon said.
The library updates included new tables and seating arrangements designed to accommodate larger groups and encourage collaboration.
“I like the new library seating and table format,” Othie said. “But the seating brings in many more students, and as it gets super crowded during lunch, it’s hard to find a spot with your friends when you can’t move chairs.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.