This piece was written by Mike Eichhorn, AIA, associate and educational planner at Wold Architects and Engineers, for the Illinois ASBO UPDATE Winter 2024 Magazine. Click here to view the full issue, or download this piece at the end of the article.
Today, schools are more than just places for learning – they are vital community centers. From sports games to career training, modern schools must serve both students and the surrounding community.
At Wold Architects & Engineers, we design versatile facilities that strengthen connections between schools and communities. We help districts maximize resources, foster meaningful partnerships and create spaces that work for everyone.
Effective school design starts with collaboration. Early partnerships with local organizations – such as park districts, businesses and local sports teams or clubs – ensure school facilities meet shared needs from the very beginning.
These conversations can uncover resource gaps and open doors to innovative, mutually beneficial partnerships. Organizations may even offer financial or in-kind contributions, such as maintenance services, in exchange for access to shared facilities. Districts can formalize these arrangements through intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) or shared-use agreements to clarify responsibilities and legal terms.
Multipurpose school facilities must balance public accessibility with student’s daily security. This requires thoughtful design that ensures both function and safety.
Dedicated entrances and secure access points welcome community visitors while keeping students safe. Amenities like family-friendly locker rooms, accessible parking and flexible-use spaces make these facilities practical and inviting for the entire community.
By applying these principles, districts create schools where students thrive and communities connect.
McHenry West High School and Owatonna High School show how school design can unite education and community needs.
At McHenry West in Illinois, career and technical education (CTE) programs were developed with local businesses to prepare students for in-demand jobs. The facility houses labs for manufacturing, robotics, biomedical sciences and construction trades, alongside a business incubator and journalism lab. These programs inspire students to explore various career paths while connecting employers with a pipeline of skilled talent, strengthening the area’s economy.
Similarly, Owatonna High School in Minnesota uses a career pathway model. The $104 million, 320,000-square-foot facility includes three learning communities that focus on nursing, culinary arts, manufacturing and performing arts. These hands-on learning spaces are designed in collaboration with business partners who provide mentorship and career-focused opportunities after graduation.
Both schools feature shared-use amenities that strengthen ties between students, businesses and the community, creating value beyond the classroom.
Projects like McHenry West High School and Owatonna High School show how design and collaboration can transform schools into vibrant community hubs and valued assets. Engaging stakeholders early in the planning process allows districts to create adaptable, secure facilities that enhance education, support local economies, and build lasting partnerships.
When schools open their doors to the community, they open doors to endless opportunities.
Read the full article from the Illinois Association of School Business Officials' UPDATE Magazine below.
