The Future Is Flexible: 21st Century Learning Environments at Ferndale Middle & High School

A priority of the bond proposal is to enlarge classrooms by adding approximately 30% more space inside. FHS & FMS science labs are programmed to be 200 sq ft larger, with flexible floor plan improvements that transform traditional rooms into learning labs and makerspaces. As the district has done in other buildings through the 2020 bond, this increased footprint enables more movement and flexibility. Instead of remaining seated and facing the chalkboard, students are encouraged to move about the classroom for a portion of the day. Educators have found that designating specific areas of the classroom to certain learning or work modes within the classroom—as within the modern workplace—teaches students to segment their workload and delegate activities to appropriate areas. This is made easier with flexible classroom furniture and technology that encourage student choice.

Breakout Rooms

Changing the environment has also been shown to stimulate the brain and improve learning. Often, collaboration is encouraged with group zones and cooperation areas. Proposed improvements also include breakout rooms for small groups or individuals to collaborate with acoustical privacy when projects demand higher focus (or higher volume).

Extended Learning Areas

Early plans for the 2025 bond improvements include multiple extended learning areas on each floor of the new addition. These large shared spaces are directly off the corridor and immediately adjacent to the classrooms. Access will be shared by 3, 4, or 5 classrooms for student collaboration and project-based learning. To further stimulate the brain, these spaces would include varied seating, writeable surfaces, and integrated technology.

Our vision of aligning student experiences across the district is a continuation of the 2020 bond work, once again partnering with GMB—an educational services firm who has supported recent improvements. “Our approach goes beyond the fundamentals of technology, flexible furniture, transparency, natural daylight, and indoor air quality—these are just the baseline. True transformation happens when space is designed to adapt to evolving educational needs, empower educators, and inspire students to engage, collaborate, and thrive.”

Grace Peterhans is the parent of two students at Ferndale Upper Elementary and FMS. She learned more about the bond proposal at the State of the District. "Expanding the common areas to allow for collaboration and experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting is exciting. Ferndale students deserve modernized accommodations that take both educational and safety concerns under consideration."