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INTERSECT Case Study Port Washington High School

October 29, 2020
Port Washington High School Case Study

The fifth case study in INTERSECT Volume I delves into Port Washington High School. In this three-phased project, learning areas were distributed around the whole building to create a collegiate culture where students are encouraged to utilize all parts of the building to develop independence.

This Port Washington High School case study project demonstrates how flexible study spaces outside and within the classroom can support a dynamic educational experience to strengthen student retention and learning.

Graphic that charts dynamic (active vs. passive) education, noting that "Learning retention rates show the need for flexible learning environments, as education today is characterized by constant change and activity to promote progress."

In the academic wing, collaborative environments are carved out to function as resources spaces serving collaborative subjects like foreign language and math. Pods of five classrooms are organized around a central resource area. Sliding glass doors to the classroom allow instruction to transition seamlessly between classroom and resource space, providing an opportunity for teachers to engage students in multiple types of active and passive learning during one class period.

Diagrams taht show an expanded vs. contracted pod, highlighting flexible options for using the same space

Additionally, the grouping of five classrooms around the central resource space builds community and fosters relationships between teachers and students. The flexibility within these spaces allows all five classrooms to expand for multi-classroom collaboration, and to contract, easily breaking into small groups or independent study. This variety creates autonomy and choice when finding a functional learning environment that meets each student’s needs.
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To learn more about the Port Washington High School project, click here.

Read more about Bray’s INTERSECT scholarship + internship program


1 Kimball. “Evolution of the Learning Environment.” Kimball Learning – White Paper, n.d., 1-5.


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