Sartell High School Learning Labs, Maker-Spaces Are Designed to Empower Students and Spark Creativity
Sartell-St. Stephen Independent School District, in Central Minnesota, is dramatically evolving traditional learning spaces and media centers to meet the needs of “next century” learners.
Cuningham Group Architecture and IIW Minnesota are partnering with the school district to construct a new 1,350-student high school opening in the fall of 2019. Early in the building design process, the school’s staff and community recognized a need to create innovative and collaborative spaces: They are radically reimagining the traditional library/media center.
Media centers have historically served as a centrally-located hub of learning and activity. But today’s media specialists, school leaders and designers recognize that as technology continues to evolve, designs need to incorporate flexible learning environments and skill-based learning opportunities.
Sartell High School Visual Learning Lab. Rendering by Cuningham Group
“For a long time, libraries were the centers of knowledge, and computer labs were largely windowless spaces that weren’t connected to the rest of the school,” said Cuningham Group Principal Judy Hoskens. “Our goal is to break out of that traditional mold and create spaces that are accessible and designed to meet a changing world.”
The Sartell High School design features Learning Neighborhoods connected by “bridges” to more specialized programs. By bridging general learning to advanced opportunities, the flow of the learning progression is visible and interactive, allowing students to collaborate, share and present.
“The design for the high school is intended to celebrate learning by creating environments that are open and connected,” said Tyler Whitehead, an architect with Cuningham Group.
Sartell High School, Sartell-St. Stephen Independent School District, in Central Minnesota. Rendering by Cuningham Group
The design and programming of the school came out of a comprehensive community engagement process. Cuningham Group worked with a planning committee of more than 70 members representing all major stakeholder groups in a series of workshops where they shared their vision, standards, criteria and priorities for the Sartell-St. Stephen School District’s facilities over the next 10 to 15 years.
“The staff and students provided an amazing amount of creative, thoughtful and forward-thinking input into how the media and classroom spaces should be designed,” Whitehead said. “They saw an opportunity to design varied and branded spaces for student learning. Instead of having one central media center, they suggested three technology-focused learning labs. Flexible learning spaces are nestled within the Learning Neighborhoods, Student Commons and Learning Labs. They are quiet environments for students to work on school projects or pull a book off of one of the many reading collections dispersed throughout the school.”
Sartell High School Design Learning Lab. Rendering by Cuningham Group
Sartell High School’s three specialized Learning Labs will be used by students taking either Career Technology Education (CTE) or traditional courses:
• Cloud (computer programming, graphic design and cartography)
• Visual (video production and recording studios)
• Design (prototyping, laser cutters, 3D printers, and robotics)
“The Learning Labs provide students with the tools to create and generate ideas and encourage them to be actively engaged in the design of their own learning. The labs are encased in glass, providing a literal window into learning. It is an exciting opportunity to allow all students to showcase their work with the entire school,” said Assistant Superintendent Kay Nelson.
“We are looking forward to add such a vibrant new school to continue our tradition of educational excellence in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District,” said Sartell Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert. “We are grateful for all of the community, staff and student input and support as we prepare for the future.”
