Do School Facilities Affect Academic Outcomes?

This review explores the ways that school facility attributes affect academic outcomes. The research covers six main categories: indoor air quality, ventilation, and thermal comfort; lighting; acoustics; building age and quality; school size; and class size. The review concludes that school facilities affect learning, and that spatial configurations, noise, heat, cold, light, and air quality impact students’ and teachers’ ability to perform. The review asserts that adequate funding and competent design, construction, and maintenance are needed to support clean air, good light, and a quiet, comfortable, and safe learning environment.