While some students may be naturally more driven or gifted than others in certain areas, no student can reach their full potential if they’re in an inadequate learning environment. Conversely, optimal school conditions help all students thrive, regardless of their unique abilities and shortcomings. Many factors contribute to these conditions, of course, such as the quality and care of teachers and faculty. Beyond these less tangible considerations, though, the material conditions of a school (i.e. its structural integrity, design, health and safety protocols, etc.) can have a major impact on student performance -- here’s how.

Environmental Distractions

Most school settings are inherently filled with a number of distractions, but some distractions are more detrimental to education and performance than others. For instance, a school’s social dynamics (cliques, gossiping, etc.) can take students’ minds off their work, but these interactions also aid in student socialization, an important aspect of development. The distractions that have the greatest impact on student performance have to do with a school’s immediate environment. If the facility is falling apart due to a lack of building maintenance, fails to keep its students and staff comfortable with proper climate control, interferes with foot traffic and other accessibility concerns, plagues the airwaves with loud noises, and so on, it becomes difficult for students to focus on their education. In order for students to succeed, they must learn in an environment free from such distractions, whether visual, aural, material, or otherwise.

Sickness Stifles Progress

Some of these distractions can pose a health and safety risk as well. A lack of proper school cleaning can create tripping hazards, reduce air quality, and facilitate the spread of illness. And if a highly contagious disease such as influenza or the new coronavirus (COVID-19) makes its way into a school, it can have massive repercussions on student performance. Such diseases can keep students away from the classroom for several days, if not weeks or more at a time. While this year (2020) has seen a major shift in the need for and quality of online lessons, experts still note that virtual learning is no true replacement for in-person classes. As such, the spread of illness can cause many students to fall behind in their studies and miss out on key moments of understanding. For these reasons and more, administrators must increase and maintain their school’s disinfection efforts, especially during flu season and as this year’s pandemic continues to spread exponentially.

Morale, Productivity, and Creativity

Distractions and disease aren’t the only things keeping students from achieving success. Everyone does their best work when they’re in good spirits, and both student and teacher morale largely hinge on the school’s aesthetic condition as well. Faded walls, dull colors, outdated decor, and disorganized spaces don’t make for the most inspiring environments. Schools can help revitalize the spirits of their students and staff by investing in a fresh coat of paint and new furniture over the summer, along with creating initiatives such as school recycling programs that unite the community around a positive purpose. While these efforts might not be directly related to education, they serve to boost morale and encourage everyone’s creative impulses, which translates to increased productivity and performance.

Improving Student Performance by Optimizing Your School’s Condition

Your school’s structural integrity, cleanliness/disinfection efforts, and appearance all have a major impact on the well-being and success of your student body. If your school is lacking in any of these areas, The Budd Group is here to help. We provide facility management solutions, janitorial and maintenance offerings, professional disinfecting services, landscaping, and all other forms of facility support. To learn more about all of our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!