Proposal for Efficient Use of Classrooms at LCA

By Helen Kwon

 

 

There is not enough space in Lexington Christian Academy.

 

LCA has a total of 20 classrooms and a little over 75,000 square-feet, which should be more than enough to encompass both the middle school and the high school. But it doesn’t. This is, not, however, a matter over the size of the building or the increasing number of students— now numbering 315 students—but instead an issue over the use of space at LCA.

 

During the school day, students are all confined to one area—the library. While high school students on privileges are given the freedom to go “anywhere in the school” during their study halls—meaning the hallways or commons—the library is the only space available with tables and chairs to finish homework or to collaborate on projects.

 

This is the problem.

 

Since the initiation of the headphones policy, the library is constantly loud and space is limited. The library turns from what should be an academic space to a local hang out. And when the library is quiet, study groups and group collaborations are not allowed to meet.

 

Should LCA open up the 20 available classrooms to students during study halls and after school, classmates would be able to work collaboratively on group projects without bothering other students, and students could work in silence without the distraction of others.  Because LCA does not have any group study rooms, classrooms are a great alternative and a more efficient use of the available space.

 

Students of Lexington Christian Academy are trustworthy and mature enough to take on this responsibility and privilege. Even still, many teachers may feel uncomfortable leaving their classrooms open without any supervision. Therefore, rules could be implemented to prevent any possible incidents.

 

Here are a few proposals:

 

• For now, only high school students are allowed to use the classrooms.

• Students will need written permission from the teacher to use their classroom after and during school

• Teachers will have a signup sheet where the students can log in the time they used the classroom

• If no student had asked the teacher to use their classroom that day, the classroom may be locked after the teacher leaves (in the case of using classrooms after school)

• Classrooms will be closed at 5:30 - the same time the library is closed

 

Opening up the classrooms would not only promote a more academic environment in the library, which could be reserved for quiet study, but it would also provide more space for the students for collaborative work and open more space in the hallway. LCA students are ready to take on this responsibility, however the important question is whether the faculty are willing to place trust in their students.