Strong leadership. A great school has a principal who is a visionary leader and who sets high expectations for students and staff. The principal creates a positive school culture and climate where everyone feels supported and valued.
High-quality teachers. Great schools have teachers who are passionate about teaching and who are experts in their field. They are skilled at differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students.
Challenging and relevant curriculum. Great schools offer a curriculum that is challenging and relevant to students' lives. The curriculum is aligned with state standards and prepares students for college and careers.
Collaborative and supportive staff. Great schools have staff who work together to support the learning of all students. They are open to new ideas and are willing to share their expertise.
Safe and supportive environment. Great schools are safe and welcoming places where students feel respected and valued. They have clear rules and consequences that are consistently enforced.
Family and community involvement. Great schools have strong partnerships with families and communities. They work together to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
North American architecture schools are at the forefront of innovation, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Explore the latest trends in sustainable architecture, smart buildings, and social impact design at these top schools.
at The Cooper Union in New York City. This LEED Platinum-certified building was designed by Studio Gang and features a dynamic glass facade that allows natural light to flood the interior.
Name: Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
Year Built: 2023
Location: New York City, New York, United States
Size: 230,000 square feet
Architect: Studio Gang
Community environment: The Richard Gilder Center is located in the heart of New York City's Upper West Side, surrounded by a diverse community of schools, businesses, and cultural institutions. The building is easily accessible by public transportation and offers stunning views of Central Park.
This school was designed by Snøhetta and features a number of performance and exhibition spaces, as well as a number of sustainable design features, such as a green roof and a rainwater harvesting system.
Name: The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Year Built: 2018
Location: Houston, Texas
Size: 168,000 square feet
Architect: Snøhetta
Community environment: Located in the heart of downtown Houston, the school is surrounded by cultural institutions and businesses.
is a LEED Platinum-certified building that houses research labs, classrooms, and offices. It is designed to be highly energy efficient and to use sustainable materials.
Name: University of British Columbia Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS)
Year Built: 2010
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 5,675 square meters (61,300 square feet)
Architect: Perkins+Will
Community environment: CIRS is located on the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, British Columbia. The campus is surrounded by forests and mountains, providing a beautiful and natural setting for the building. CIRS is also close to public transportation, making it easy for students, faculty, and staff to get to and from the building.
Experts in innovative school construction in Africa, operate in a team that has a proven track record of designing and building schools that are sustainable, safe, and affordable. Use the latest technologies and materials to create learning environments that are conducive to student success.
in Rwanda is a school that was built using recycled materials and is designed to promote social inclusion. It won the 2017 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Name: Ubuntu School
Year Built: 2015
Location: Rwamagana District, Rwanda
Size: 10,000 square meters
Architect: MASS Design Group
Community environment: The Ubuntu School is located in a rural area of Rwanda that is home to a diverse community of people. The school is designed to promote social inclusion by providing a space where all students, regardless of their background, can feel welcome and supported.
in Ghana is a school that is built using recycled materials. It was the winner of the 2019 Green Apple Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Name: The Earthship School
Year Built: 2017
Location: Ghana
Size: 3,000 square feet
Architect: Michael Reynolds
Community environment: The Earthship School is located in a rural community in Ghana. The school is surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife. The school provides a safe and supportive environment for students to learn and grow.
by NLÉ Architects. This school is built on stilts in the Lagos lagoon, and is designed to withstand flooding. It is made from sustainable materials such as bamboo and timber.
Name: Makoko Floating School
Year Built: 2013
Location: Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria
Size: 220 square meters
Architect: NLÉ Architects
Community environment: Makoko is a densely populated slum community in Lagos, Nigeria, that is built on stilts in the Lagos Lagoon. The community is often flooded, and the school was designed to withstand flooding and provide a safe and sustainable learning environment for the children of Makoko.
Discover the most iconic and innovative school buildings in Asia, from China's soaring towers to Japan's critically designed spaces.
This school has won numerous awards for its sustainable design, including the Green Apple Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2013. The school's roof is covered in solar panels, and it also has a rainwater harvesting system.
Name: Australian International School, Singapore
Year Built: 1993
Location: 1 Lorong Chuan, Singapore 556448
Size: 100 acres
Architect: Kerry Hill Architects
Community Environment: The AIS is located in a quiet residential area of Singapore. The school is surrounded by lush greenery and is close to a park. This provides students with a peaceful and healthy learning environment.
is a LEED Platinum-certified building that was designed to be a "living laboratory" for students and researchers. The building features a variety of sustainable design elements, including a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation.
Name: The Learning Hub at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Year built: 2015
Location: Singapore
Size: 30,000 square meters
Architect: DP Architects
Community environment: The Learning Hub is located in the heart of the SUTD campus, which is a vibrant and diverse community of students, researchers, and faculty. The campus is home to a number of green spaces, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
is a K-12 school that was awarded the "Sustainable School of the Year" by the Green Schools Asia Foundation in 2016. The school has a number of sustainable features, including a rainwater harvesting system, solar panels, and a green roof.
Name: The International School of Bangkok (ISB)
Year Built: 1992
Location: Nichada Thani, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Size: 37 acres
Architect: Not publicly disclosed
Community Environment: Nichada Thani is a family-friendly community with a variety of housing options, shops, and restaurants. The community is also home to a number of schools, making it a great place for families with children.