1. OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
DESIGN GUIDELINES
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21st Century Classrooms
Date [01/31/12]

2. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Table of Contents
I. Contributors (p. 3)
II. Vision (p.4)
III. Supporting School Programs (p. 5)
III. Components (p. 6)
IV. 21st Century Classrooms
a. Flexible Classroom (p. 7)
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b. Furniture (p. 8)
c. Storage (p. 9)
d. Technology (p. 10)
e. Utilities (p. 11-12) D R
f. Adjacencies (p 13)
V. Specialized Programs
a. Kindergartens & Child Development Centers (p 14)
b. STEM (p 15)
c. Programs for Exceptional Children (p 16)
VI. Additional Resources (p. 17)
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3. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Contributors
Soraya Brooks Tracey Logan
Teacher Project Manager
Prescott Elementary School Technology Services, OUSD
Joe Cavanagh Cesar Monterrosa
Deputy Program Manager Facilities Coordinator
SGI Construction Management, OUSD Facilities Planning and Management
Kelvin Chan Kara Oettinger
Manager Coordinator
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Technology Services, OUSD Programs for Exceptional Children
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Caleb Cheung Matt Okazaki
Science Manager Strategist
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OUSD MKThink
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David Colbert Manisha Patel
Facilities Coordinator Project Manager, Process Improvement
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Facilities Planning and Management, OUSD Technology Services, OUSD
Roma Groves Cheyenne Pronga
Principal STEM Grant Coordinator & New Teacher Support
MLK Jr. Elementary School OUSD
Randy Horn Charles H. Smith
Program Director Buildings & Grounds, OUSD
Facilities Planning and Management, OUSD
Mia Settles-Tidwell
Josh Jackson Instructional and Operational Alignment
Senior Strategist OUSD
MKThink
Leah Jensen
Instructional Technologist
Instructional Technology Unit, OUSD
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4. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Vision
The guidelines for classrooms in this document Topic Areas
outline criteria for new construction and renovation
projects as described by the Oakland Unified • Flexible Classroom Configurations
School District’s Educational Specifications. The
Educational Specifications align with the district’s • Furniture & Equipment
2012 Facilities Master Plan and the Community
Schools, Thriving Students strategic plan to support • Technology Infrastructure
the creation of a Full-Service Community School
District. • Utilities
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The specifications provide a consistent framework • STEM
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for equitable facility designs across the district, but
the unique characteristics of each school site and • Programs for Exceptional Children
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the distinct character and needs of each school
program mean that each school facility project will
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have different architectural outcomes.
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Guiding Principles
OUSD’s classrooms will be modern, functional
spaces that will support teaching and learning. In
order to maximize sustainability, designs should
align with the Collaborative for High
Performance Schools (CHPS) best practices, and
simplify maintenance and upkeep. Classrooms
should also be flexible so as to support a variety of
curricular pedagogies, and accommodate changing
technologies.
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5. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Supporting School Programs
Common Core Standards and Next Generation
Science Standards
In order to provide a consistent, clear
understanding of school curriculums, OUSD is
implementing the Common Core State
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Standards and Next Generation Science
Standards, which will be completed in March of
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2013. Classrooms in the district should support
teachers working with these standards.
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Pedagogies
Every school is different and every teacher is
different. New and renovated classrooms should
have equal quality across the district while
allowing many different teaching methods to
take place within them.
Technology
Infrastructure Lifecycles
It is essential that classrooms have the capability
to support evolving uses of technology. Buildings
Buildings have much longer lifecycles than
technology, so preparing the facilities for Renovations YEARS
changes in technology is crucial.
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
0 25 50 75 100
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6. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
21st Century Classroom Components
Illustrative Example
Large-Capacity,
Running Water
Speakers and Multi-Use Conduits
Distributed Sound
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Acoustic Tiles Transparent Entrance
Natural
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Lighting
Mounts for Teaching
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Permanent & Wall Surfaces
Secure Storage
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(Cabinets or
Closets)
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Network Access
Teacher Station Portable Storage
Adequate Re-configureable
Power Furniture Intercom/Phone
& Wiring
Artificial Lighting Controls
Classrooms must be at least 960 SF, as per the Title 5 California Code of Regulations. Rooms larger than
1,000 SF require two exits. Refer to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/title5regs.asp and the Educational
Specifications for further information about minimum specifications of performance.
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7. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Flexible Classroom
An essential element of classroom design is Illustrative Examples
flexibility. Classroom spaces should support a
variety of potential teaching and learning
styles, as well as provide appropriate
accommodations for additional users, including
after school programs, adult education, and
childcare services.
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Group Work
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Traditional Lecture
Various Group Work
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8. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Furniture
Chairs
- Durable
- Easily moved and rearranged
- Stackable
- Separate unit from the desks
- Modular components for ease of maintenance
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- Footing material will not scratch floors
- Stackable
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- Secondary grades: no storage attached to chairs
- Elementary grades: individual storage can be
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attached to chairs
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- Should be an appropriate size for each grade level
- Consider ergonomics of furniture
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- Durable
- Easily moved and rearranged
- Able to be configured in various arrangements
- Modular components for ease of maintenance
- Secondary grades: no storage attached to desks
- Elementary grades: individual storage attached to
desks
- Should be an appropriate size for each grade level
Teacher Station
- For grades 6-12, when possible classrooms should
be equipped with a teacher podium with capability of
supporting:
- Computer
- Audio/visual/network controls
- Document camera
- Easily portable
- Able to be secured or locked
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9. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Storage
Permanent Storage - Cabinets
- All rooms should have some amount of permanent
storage; consult with program leaders to determine
appropriate amount of storage
- All rooms will host a variety of different types of
storage
- Able to be secured or locked
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- Consider bookshelves when possible, in addition to
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lockable cabinets or closets
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D Permanent Storage - Closet
- All rooms should have some amount of permanent
storage; consult with program leaders to determine
appropriate amount of storage
- All rooms will host a variety of different types of
storage
- Able to be secured or locked
Mobile Storage
- Facilities should consider having some amount of
mobile storage
- Storage should have the ability to be secured or
locked
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10. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Technology
Facilities should be able to accommodate a connectivity and comply with the district’s E-
variety of technology infrastructure, so that as Rate programs.
technology changes, buildings do not require
renovation.
- Coordinate with Technical Services regarding
materials and configurations to support
Power & Wiring
• Appropriate cabling and outlets will be installed in each
classroom to provide for a variety of network
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technologies and stand alone equipment.
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• The recommended minimum number of drops will be 15
• At least one wall will have power and outlets running
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along the entire length of the room
• When possible, outlets should be located at counter-
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height
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• Ground outlets will also be provided when possible
• Consider use of drop-down outlets
• Consider sustainable design elements to reduce energy
consumption.
Lighting
• Lighting should provide a comfortable classroom
environment with appropriate visual conditions.
• Where possible, there will be a combination of natural
lighting and artificial lighting
• Artificial lighting should have brightness controls and
zoned variable lighting controls
• Adjustable sun shades should be installed to reduce
overheating in rooms with direct solar exposure
Network Access & WIFI
• All classrooms should have network access. It is OUSD’s
goal that all students should have access to WIFI.
• Consider mounting WIFI with projector when scaling
ceiling conduit.
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11. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Utilities
Educational Technologies
- Classrooms should be able to equip a variety of
technologies, which might include:
- Document Cameras
- LCD Projector System
- Interactive Whiteboard
- Interactive ‘clicking’ remotes
- Be mindful of mounting technology to avoid lighting glare
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Intercom and Phone (2-way communication)
- All classrooms should be equipped with a
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communications and paging system that allows school-
wide communication from the classroom
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- The system should allow 2-way talk back communication
from the within the classroom
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- The system should be able to call outside of the school as
well
Acoustics
- Classrooms must have a maximum (unoccupied) noise
level of 45 dBA LAeq., with maximum (unoccupied)
reverberation times of 0.6 seconds.
- Consider installation of acoustic panels to insure the
appropriate noise levels
Distributed Sound
- Distributed sound is a method that improves acoustic
quality throughout a classroom
- Classrooms should be equipped with amplifiers and
speakers to provide balanced sound coverage.
- Consider room conditions such as acoustics and facility
materials when determining sound systems and during
installation.
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12. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Utilities
Ventilation
- Classroom ventilation should provide comfortable
temperatures.
- Use passive ventilation and sustainable design options
when possible
- Avoid placing fans under lights to eliminate flicker
- Avoid A/C when possible
- All classrooms should have independent control of
heating systems
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- Install interlock system that would turn off heating and
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cooling when doors and windows are opened.
- Consider methods to improve indoor air quality
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Sinks & Plumbing
- All classrooms should be equipped with a sink and
running water
- Classrooms should be near other sources of running
water (bathroom, fountains, teacher preparation areas)
- Refer to the Materials Standards as well as the California
Code of Regulations for details.
Materials & Flooring
- Flooring material should be durable and scratch resistant
- Avoid carpeting and rugs
- Flooring should promote furniture mobility
- Wall materials should foster acoustic quality
- Walls should be light-colored for high light reflectance
- One wall should be dedicated to flexible display space
and presentations
- Refer to Materials Standards for further detail.
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13. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Adjacencies
Entrances & Exits
- All classrooms doors should provide a view
panel, either within the door itself or
adjacent to it
- Zones should be established that would
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enable classrooms or parts of classroom
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buildings to be made available for use by
partner organizations while the rest of
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campus is secure
- All doors must be lockable
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- Consider extra safety measures or
indicators for elementary school classrooms
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Restrooms
- Restrooms should be close to classrooms
- There should be separate restrooms for
children and adults.
- All kindergarten classrooms must have an
adjoining restroom
- Classrooms used by some Programs for
Exceptional Children may have additional
restroom requirements
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14. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten & CDC Classrooms
Kindergarten classrooms and Child Development Centers
(CDC’s) have different needs and minimum performance
specifications than other facilities. Additional requirements
include:
Minimum Classroom Size of 1,350 SF
Includes restrooms, storage, teacher preparation, wet and
dry areas. These rooms should feature a second door that
a teacher may easily monitor and control.
Storage
Classrooms should have a large amount of storage. There
should be a variety of lockable storage, as well as easily
accessible units for students, such as open shelving.
Furniture and Furnishings Arroyo Viejo Child Development Center
Should be the appropriate scale and height for
kindergarten-aged children.
Restrooms
Classrooms should accommodate restrooms, which will be
appropriately fitted for kindergarten student.
Play Yard
Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations requires a play
yard adjacent to a kindergarten room that is designed to
develop student motor skills. This yard must be completely
visible from inside the classroom to allow supervision of
children.
Drop-off and Transportation Zones
Classrooms must be adjacent to parent drop-off areas, as
well as transportation loading zones such as bus stops.
Refer to the California Code of Regulations, along with the Educational Specifications,
for further detail.
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15. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
STEM
Classrooms that align with these guidelines should be capable of supporting STEM programs at
the elementary school level and most at the middle school level. This means accommodating:
- Hands-on classwork Critical Components for STEM include:
- Project-based learning - Network access
- A variety of technologies - Flexible configuration for project-
- Simultaneous lecture and group work based learning
- Running water
Specialized Classrooms
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For some technical education programs, specific programmatic needs will require specialized
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rooms with more space, more robust utilities, and the capability to accommodate special
equipment. These specialized classrooms should be designed with flexibility to handle a
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variety of furniture and set-ups, so that the specialization comes from the fittings the room is
configured with, rather than the architectural design itself.
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• 1300 square feet minimum
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• Diversity of secured storage options
• Avoid carpeting
• Modular furniture and workstations
• At least 15 network drops per classroom
• Controlled utility hook-ups for water and gas
• Capacity to install fume hoods
• Maximize natural light
• Use passive ventilation
• Durable and fire-safe furniture
• Adjacent teacher preparation
areas
At the high school level,
some STEM programs may
require additional
infrastructure for
equipment.
Examples: Illustrative Example
- Digital Fabrication Lab
- Bio-medical Science Lab
- Engineering Studio
For more information see the Middle School & High School Planning Design Guidelines.
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16. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Programs for Exceptional Children
Inclusion Dedicated Facilities
Many attributes of a classroom aligned with For students with more comprehensive
these guidelines will support OUSD Programs needs, facilities must be planned in
for Exceptional Children’s goal to include conjunction with the Programs for
every student in the least restrictive Exceptional Children. These facilities should
environment to the highest extent possible.
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be designed and modified according to
specific and unique needs.
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Examples of design features that support
inclusion are:
Classrooms in dedicated facilities should not
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- Lockable Storage be separated from the other classrooms, and
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- A variety of storage capabilities it is preferable that they be located under the
- Distributed Sound same roof. For these dedicated facilities,
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- Adequate utilities for equipment there should be particular attention towards:
- One entry/exit
Storage
Furniture, materials, and storage space Classrooms must be provided with sufficient
comparable to all other students in the storage that can be secured and accessed
classroom. only by teachers or staff for special
equipment.
Acoustic Controls
Students with hearing impairments need
resources through which acoustics are
appropriate.
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17. Design Guidelines 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS
Additional Resources
For more information regarding CHPS, refer to:
http://www.chps.net/dev/Drupal/node
For more information regarding Title 5, refer to:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/title5regs.asp
eSN Special Report
Reinventing Education
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Title 5, California Code of Regulations
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http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/title5regs.asp
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Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Scorecard
2009 Edition for Major Modernizations or a New Building on an Existing Campus
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http://www.chps.net/dev/Drupal/node/32
Info on ERate
Link to Materials Standards
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