In 2015, ACDS greeted students upon on their return from summer vacation with exciting new changes to their classrooms. Completed in collaboration with the Dean of the New York School of Interior Design whose research focuses on how classroom design influences learning, and made possible by a $3M anonymous gift, the classroom renovations emphasize flexible classroom organization and reduction in visual distraction, as well as focus on enhancing teacher resources. Although the approach was slightly different in the Lower and Middle Schools, keeping with the needs of the different age groups, all classrooms now have ergonomically responsive furniture that encourages movement and improves student focus and engagement. Lower School students sit on Hokki stools that allow for movement while Middle Schoolers use adjustable standing desks. “There’s been a lot written in the last few years about the negative effects of sitting,” said Head of School Scott Baytosh. “We know that kids traditionally sit for very long periods of time, and we really had an opportunity to get ahead of the curve with that research in mind and do something bold.”
K-8, Co-educational Independent School
