What do you think of when you hear “school” or “schooling”?

Hi, my name is Susie Fahrer and I am the executive director of Rainbow Community School and Omega Middle School. Have you ever stopped to wonder what comes to mind when you hear the words “school” or schooling? For many of us , we were transported to a large building, often with a wide hallway, usually having classrooms on either side, particularly designed with tables and chairs, oriented towards the front of the room, where perhaps the teacher is standing delivering their content for the day.

How do you design a space for learning?

And more often than not, nowadays we’re probably picturing a classroom filled with computers or iPads where students are behind a screen engaging technology as a primary part of their schooling experience. While much of this is creating a foundation, perhaps if we would change the scope, if we considered reframing the question. What would you think about if we actually asked, how do you design a space for learning?

The Elements of Space

Well, for many of us, we start to imagine the beauty of a space. Natural light and beautiful materials. Creating a space that feels welcoming. Or maybe we think about how we engage a diversity of learners through design for flexible seating and hands-on materials. And maybe still, we think about that technology, but we recognize that it’s integrated with intention and balance.

Designing for Learning at Rainbow

Also offering space for discourse and project-based learning and meaningful curriculum. And finally, for some of us, the walls might even dissolve, and we consider stepping out into the natural world, engaging space for play and physicality. Understanding that brain science allows us to know that optimal learning is spent both indoors and out. So here at rainbow, we have the ability to design for learning.

A Learning Village

For many people, when they first step on our campus, they describe it as a village. And this couldn’t be a better imagery to capture the vibrancy with which we design our classroom and our campus spaces, to meet the needs of preschoolers through middle schoolers in an engaging and joyful learning experience. If you are new to rainbow, I invite you to look at our website or perhaps book a tour and come see what we’ve built here and designs for learning and an optimal experience for children where they are nurtured and supported through a learning journey from the earliest childhood experience into adolescence.

The Door is Always Open

For those of you who are already part of our community, I invite you to come and sit with me and continue the conversation. My door is always open.

Download our free guide, Designing Space for Learning at Home to help you envision an optimal home learning environment for your child.