The following story is from the September 2025 Greatness Update magazine. For the full issue, visit plcschools.org/magazine.

Collaboration. Movement. Serving all learning styles. These are the recurring themes you will hear from teachers about the importance and benefits of spacious classrooms. As our understanding of how students learn best continues to evolve, one factor has emerged as increasingly important: physical space. Larger classrooms aren't just a luxury. They're becoming essential.

Physically expanding classrooms has been a key element of the 2023 Bond Issue construction. Parkview Heights, Tara Heights, and Trumble Park elementary schools all received building additions that allowed square footage to be added to classrooms. The classroom expansions in these older buildings bring them up to today’s teaching standards. But what does that really mean, and why are larger classrooms necessary?

Student-Centered Learning

What once worked in classrooms - rows of desks arranged to face the whiteboard - no longer serves modern research-based teaching practice. “The learning environment back when I was in elementary school (late ‘80s-early ‘90s) was more teacher-centered with lectures and limited interaction,” notes Melani Weale, a third grade teacher at Tara Heights Elementary. “This type of instruction didn’t require much space. The learning environment today is more collaborative.”

“I think students will just be excited to have the extra space to move around. Students will love the freedom to move around and engage with the dynamic learning environments that we create.” - Melani Weale

Garrett O’Dell, also a third grade teacher at Tara Heights, describes this historical style of learning as “sit and get.” He contrasts it to today’s classroom culture of active participation, collaboration, and engaging learning activities. “Learning is about being student-centered,” he explains.

Modern Classroom: Movement and Interaction

Ms. Weale and Mr. O’Dell both started this school year in a newly expanded room, which already makes it easier to conduct whole class discussion, partner and group work, and hands-on practice. “We have a lot more movement integrated into our lessons, and larger classrooms help teachers incorporate this movement safely,” Ms. Weale adds. “Research has shown that incorporating movement into instruction increases engagement and information retention.”

By having the flexibility to set up their classrooms in a variety of ways, teachers can personalize the educational experience of their classrooms to accommodate different learning styles and help each student succeed. “Bigger classrooms mean more flexible seating and collaborative learning spaces,” Mr. O’Dell said. “This helps encourage students to get involved and interact with each other.”

“I’m excited about having the room to build upon the flexible learning areas that I've done before to support both individual focus and group collaboration. The extra space will also make it easier to do hands-on activities and create a comfortable and inclusive classroom atmosphere.” - Garrett O’Dell

Ms. Weale gives the example of the learning exercise known as the Kagan Inside-Outside Circle, where students form two circles and rotate to discuss concepts with different partners. In cramped quarters, this becomes difficult to execute safely. With adequate space, teachers can easily fold active learning activities into their lessons to get the blood flowing and reinforce academic concepts.

Empowering Teachers

In larger spaces, teachers can create distinct areas for different purposes: quiet zones for independent work, collaborative spaces for group projects, flexible desk arrangements, and still have room to gather to sit on the floor at the front of the room. Increased storage for materials can be distributed throughout the room, preventing bottlenecks during transitions and reducing the time lost between activities. 

At their roots, the building enhancements empower teachers to format learning according to best practice and to best serve the learners in each of their rooms.