As stewards of a school’s mission and assets, boards carry the responsibility to ensure that facilities not only meet today’s needs but also position the school for long-term success. Effective campus planning begins with a clear, shared vision—anchored in mission—and an understanding that place plays a pivotal role in shaping how learning happens and how community is built.

In this session, we’ll explore how boards, in partnership with school leaders, can frame and guide campus planning as a strategic priority, aligning educational goals, learning activities, and the physical environment to sustain the mission. We’ll consider trends shaping the future of education and examine why these trends matter when trustees plan for the school’s physical resources.

Participants will be introduced to a practical framework for alignment, including the use of Design Patterns as tools for translating vision into spaces that work. Finally, we’ll highlight case studies of schools that have successfully renovated or transformed their physical spaces to foster innovation, belonging and adaptability. 

Presented by James Seaman, PhD, AIA, ALEP
Managing Principal, Fielding International