An Irresistible School: The Ridgemont Story

The Technological Revolution is reshaping what it means to learn in the 21^st century and its impact on the built environment is immense. But it’s not enough to just design and build future-thinking schools.

At its heart education is about the student, the teacher and the environment where instruction takes place. Students change. Teachers adapt. And the physical space must keep pace in order to ensure the appropriate canvas for all types of learning to take place.

Most will agree that today’s students are not just technologically savvy, but technologically dependent. They are unusually collaborative, and very open with their thoughts and experiences. In response, educators are adjusting curricula and updating teaching philosophies with a focus on critical thinking and digital literacy. They are empowering students to own their education, and providing an outlet for creative, collaborative learning.

While we see these trends and developments across all of our clients, one–the Ridgemont School District in central Ohio–has an especially interesting, instructive and inspiring story. By changing the conversation from “what education should be” to “what education could be” the Ridgemont story offers many lessons for anyone looking to improve their schools and their community.

SHP has just published a book about this journey: IRRESISTIBLE, A story of how passionate leadership and smart design changed a school–and a community.  The book not only tells the Ridgemont story in detail but also examines six key attributes that we believe shape the best of education–and the spaces where it occurs. We hope it helps other districts imagine and bring into existence 21^st Century-worthy, irresistible education in their communities.