Great Schools by Design

is a national initiative of the American Architectural Foundation that seeks to improve the quality of America’s schools and the communities they serve by promoting collaboration, excellence and innovation in school design.

Learn more | Video overview

Latest News

Schools Designed for Learning: The Denver School of Science and Technology
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Louisiana Recovery Authority Adopts Principles from AAF’s National Summit on School Design
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National School Design Institute to Develop Plans for New School Facilities in Five Communities
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New Report Sets Direction for School Design in 21st Century
Target Joins Great Schools by Design National Initiative Read more

Report from the National Summit on School Design Issued
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School Design Institute to Spark New Ideas for Education Officials
from Chicago, Syrcause, Lincoln, Nashville and Peoria Read more

AAF Issues Report from Mississippi School Design Institute
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AAF’s School Design Institute in Akron, Ohio Encourages Innovation
WKSU/NPR, Kent, OH, USA Click here to hear this report

Akron School Design Institute Report Released
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Rethinking America's Schoolhouses, by Ronald E. Bogle
New Orleans Times-Picayune, October 10, 2005 Read more

New-Age Schools, by Chris Satullo
The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 30, 2005 Read more

New Video and Discussion Guide Champion “Schools as Centers of Community”
American Architectural Foundation and KnowledgeWorks Foundation Provide Resources to Help Improve School Designs Read more

Brighter School Days, by Chris Satullo
The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 26, 2005 Read more

American Architectural Foundation and Mayors’ Institute on City Design Hold First School Design Institute
Mayors and Superintendents from Four Major American Cities Attend and Seek Innovative Solutions for Their Schools Read more

Connecticut Post Reports on Great Schools by Design Mayors’ Institute
Bridgeport Officials Examine School Options Read more

 

Great Schools by Design is made possible by presenting sponsors Target and the American Architectural Foundation. AAF would also like to thank sponsors McGraw-Hill Construction, the American Institute of Architects, Cisco Systems, Inc., and KnowledgeWorks Foundation. Finally, we are grateful for the collaboration of our alliance partners. View a complete list of Sponsors and Partners

 

 

Why Great Schools by Design is important

  • More than 59 million students, teachers and education employees spend part of their day in schools
  • There are 120,000 schools in the U.S. Many of these are aging and in need of repair
  • $30 billion is spent annually on school construction, repairs and maintenance

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Downloads & Reports

To view all AAF publications, please click here.

 

 

National School Design Institute, A Report of Findings

 

Schools Designed for Learning, Video and Discussion Guide