PERSPECTIVE CHARTER SCHOOL€¦ · • All students must be accepted to college before graduating. Perspectives not only prepares its students for life in college, but also keeps

A New Architecture for a New Education Ball State University

CASE STUDY: ChiCAgo, iL

PERSPECTIVE CHARTER SCHOOL

Figure 1.8.1: Perspectives Charter School in downtown Chicago’s southside is a catalyst for development.

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HistoryPerspectives Charter School was created to fill a void in the educational system of urban Chicago. Kim Day and Diana Shulla-Cose, the school’s founders, sought to create an environment conducive to learning and one in which the students could be challenged. A feeling of safety was a primary concern for its students. Additionally the relationships between 1)parents and teachers and 2)teachers and students was carefully constructed in the curriculum’s mission. One-on-one attention

was seen as the key to a student’s development, sense of belonging, and self-value.

Through the creation of charter schools in Chicago by the Illinois General Assembly in 1996, Kim and Diana used the opportunity to create their own inner-city, disciplined public middle and high school of choice.

MissionPerspectives Charter School was chartered in 1997 as one of five charter schools in the

Chicago area. Perspectives provides students with a rigorous and relevant education, based on “a disciplined life”. This prepares them for life in a changing world and helps them to become intellectually reflective, caring, and ethical people engaged in a meaningful life. The “disciplined life” according to Perspectives builds a culture of success, both personal, and academic. The goal of this philosophy is to build productive members of society through the understanding that character, growth and academic progress are interdependent; each attribute reliant on the other.

The 5 Guiding Principles of the Perspectives Charter School 1) A disciplined lifeCreate an environment where students and teachers are compassionate, hardworking, and healthy individuals.

2) Academic rigorProvide a rigorous and relevant curriculum, and the expectation that all students will succeed. A “college for certain” culture is maintained constantly keeping goals and objectives high. Class work is kept focused and intensive to meet the needs of every student.

3) Community engagementInternships, community action projects, field studies, and social justice classes use the city as an external classroom.

4) Family involvementFamily is expected to participate, and parents are to be partners with teachers in their children’s education.

5) Professional developmentProvide instructional mentors and hold on-going critical discussions pertaining to best classroom practices. Problems are addressed from an entrepreneurial perspective allowing innovative solutions to be created and put into action by the experienced and committed staff.

Academic RigorDefinition of “academic rigor” developed by Perspectives teachers:

Academic rigor is the pursuit of intellectual inquiry in which students strive to meet clear and challenging objectives, consider previous knowledge, think on multiple levels to construct new knowledge and seek wisdom, demonstrating


Charter School Patterns of Innovation A Building Better Communities Project


understanding through authentic application in new contexts.

Perspectives is dedicated to the belief that each Perspectives Charter Schools student is capable of attending and succeeding at a four-year university. This “college for certain” environment means that faculty and staff are actively preparing students for a future in higher education.

College for CertainEach school has a full-time College Counselor • and College Preparatory class for seniors.Juniors travel across the country for one week • each year visiting selected universities and colleges.Sophomores spend one week visiting regional • colleges and universities.All students must take the ACT twice.• Perspectives uses PrepMe.com’s Premium • Online ACT Preparation program for all of its juniors.Each senior must apply to at least 5 colleges • and for at least 10 scholarships.All students must be accepted to college • before graduating.

Perspectives not only prepares its students for life in college, but also keeps in contact with recent graduates. There is a “college mom” on staff who coordinates regular communication

Figure 1.8.2: Stairs off of central “commons” area and main entry. Figure 1.8.3: Bar chart indicates student enrollment by grade level.

Grade Six Grade Seven Grade Eight Grade Nine Grade Ten Grade Eleven GradeTwelve

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with recent graduates as they transition to higher education. They also hold at least two annual alumni gatherings to support and celebrate the work of their students.

A Disciplined Life“A disciplined life” nurtures intellectual individuals prepared to thrive in a rigorous academic environment, and engage members of their community in spirited debate and dialogue. It gives students the tools to foster a genuine community of young adults who understand, appreciate, and respect the differences of their peers.

The 26 principles of “a disciplined life” are the language of the Perspectives Charter Schools family and serve as their code of living.

Self PerceptionAccept only quality work from yourself• Take responsibility for your actions• Seek wisdom• Be open-minded• Think critically and be inquisitive• Love who you are• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and decency• Be generous• Be a life-long learner• Live a healthy lifestyle•

CommunicationCommunicate effectively• Challenge each other intellectually• Show gratitude• Solve conflicts peacefully• Respect each other’s differences• Be positive and supportive of each other• Show compassion•

ProductivityDemonstrate a strong work ethic• Use your time wisely• Listen actively• Be punctual and prepared• Be organized• Be reflective• Be reliable• Take initiative• Demonstrate perseverance•

Demographics

EnrollmentStudent enrollment: 274Students per full-time teacher: 69Full-time teachers: 4Number of classrooms: 13274 students in grades 6-12

Ethnicity63.5% African American33.9% Hispanic2.6% White15% Special Needs82.5% Qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch

Teacher/Student RatioClassroom:Average Class Size (Elementary): 23Average Class Size (Secondary): 20Student-to-Teacher Ratio (Elementary): 23Student-to-Teacher Ratio (Secondary): 11

Graduation RateCompletion Rate: 04-05 Graduation Rate: 78.3%04-05 Dropout Rate: 1.5%03-04 College Acceptance Rate: 95%




Test ScoresStandardized Test Performance:

04-05 PSAE Composite Performance: 21.7% meeting or exceeding standards 04-05 PSAE Math Performance: 9.1% 04-05 PSAE Reading Performance: 36.4% 04-05 ACT Average Composite Score: 15.5

08-09 PSAE Math Performance: 20% 08-09 PSAE Science Performance: 12%08-09 PSAE Reading Performance: 20%08-09 ACT Average Composite Score: 25.5

After School ProgramsChess Club Perspectives NewspaperArtSisters 4 ScienceCheerleading/DanceHomework ClubCreative WritingStocks ClubBuilding with BooksShow ChoirGardening/Environmental ClubSci-Tech ClubWorld Travelers Club

Community ProgramPerspectives students take the skills learned in the classroom out into the community. This program teaches students that they can play a critical role in the world and their community. The goal is to develop students into caring and ethical individuals who are dedicated to improving the world around them.

Middle School students participate in three years of community service two days a month. 10th grade students spend two days a month working with various organizations or social agencies in order to effect change in the community.

Context and SiteThe 30,000 sq. ft. charter school is placed on a 24,500 sq. ft. site. The surrounding context, a low income area, has been dramatically affected by the charter school’s presence. Perspectives Charter School is not only a place to educate, but has become a center for community. As a community center, the school acts as an investment in the neighborhood, aiding in the rebirth and revitalization process of a dying

Figure 1.8.4: The corrugated metal facade relates to the nearby industrial area and the working class surrounding context.

Figure 1.8.5: The irregular shaped building and its configuration breaks the common city grid and in a way, points to a new positive direction for the entire community.

Figure 1.8.6: Perspectives Charter School, located in a lower-income neighborhood, provides exemplary safety and security precautions.

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area. The school represents a second chance for all the people that attend. Community leaders and occupants feel that this wonderful piece of architecture will mark a new start for the area. The “gem in the rough” acts as a catalyst for future building projects, current economic and neighborhood redevelopment. The Perspectives Charter School has reestablished pride in the area as a wonderful place to live and work.

Image and IdentityThe corrugated metal facade relates to the industrial area, the working class, and surrounding context. The north and south facades relate to the housing units across the street by respecting building heights and human scale. The sculpture like entrance on the east facade acts as a community landmark and reaches out into the community establishing a sense of pride. The building and configuration, on a irregularly shaped triangular site, breaks the common city grid and in a way points to a new positive direction of community, education, and economy for the area.

Safety and SecurityThe building facade acts as a protective shield, abstractly protecting and containing the safely harbored interior activities. The two ends of the school, however, act as open arms reaching into the community, promoting interaction between school activities, community involvement, and the city of Chicago.

Perspectives Charter School provides exemplary understanding of promoting safety and security through access control, natural surveillance, and territoriality. Designed with a circulation

Figure 1.8.7: The welcoming entry contains a lowered awning which covers the main entrance and draws attention to the entry’s function. The scale of the entry also creates a link between the scale of the site and the building’s interior.

1st Floor PlanTeacher WorkspaceCommonsStorageMechanical

ReceptionAdministrativeCirculationClassroom

Figure 1.8.8: The first floor plan houses a reception and administrative area at the school’s entrance, perimeter classrooms that surround a multi-purpose common area, and a library at the conjuncture of the building footprint.

Figure 1.8.9: The wedge-shaped entrance and lobby provides natural surveillance. The open two story space allows a receptionist or hall monitor to “keep an eye” on first and second floor corridors.

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core at the hub of a double-stacked layer of classrooms, administrative offices, and support areas, Perspectives is an interior courtyard with the main shared space used as a multi-purpose “commons.” Surrounding the commons is circulation on both floors, providing numerous overlooks and alcoves. Clear visibility into the school’s various spaces provides informal surveillance and aids in way finding. A reception area allows someone to greet people and direct them to appropriate places within the school. The building is also designed in layers from the inside out. The central gathering space, acting as a hearth for the building, fosters most activities and interaction to take place. The next layer, circulation corridors, are arranged for easy way finding. The outermost layer contains all of the schools classroom spaces.

ArchitectureGross square footage:30,000 sq. ft.Total construction cost:$4.5 million

The discipline and academic rigor championed in the school’s principles find embodiment in the building’s structured and dynamic form. Classrooms and learning spaces dominate the floor plan and are structured for more traditional learning models rather than many of the more flexible, adaptable models we see today. The school is primarily concerned with giving students the most comprehensive education possible. Therefore, other aspects of a “typical” high school’s program are less important in Perspective’s program. For instance, there is no on site gymnasium other than an outdoor basketball court and some limited space in the mixing core for physical activity.

Spatial PlanningA reception area and administrative office wing are located at the entrance of the school, enforcing the notion of safety and security within the school. The classrooms, which are located around the perimeter of the building, act as a “protected shield” for the main commons, a multipurpose gathering space and cafeteria. A library, which also acts as a landmark at the corner of the site, is located at the juncture of the triangular floor plan. Classrooms on the second floor plan are also located along the perimeter of the building, allowing a two story atrium-like space over the common area below. A teacher work space and lounge are located on the second floor plan, directly above the administrative and lobby space.

Figure 1.8.10: The second floor plan houses perimeter classrooms, teacher lounge and preparation space, and small group area.

Figure 1.8.11: The library space, which has computer work stations, and book shelf niches, is bright with natural daylighing and bold colors.

2nd Floor PlanCommonsStorageMechanical

AdministrativeCirculationClassroomTeacher Workspace

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Interior Color and MaterialityThe interior spaces of Perspectives Charter School are quite interesting. Materials like sealed concrete and corrugated metal are juxtaposed against both vibrant and cool colors and soft plastic furnishing. This relationship between materials is a metaphor for the school itself. Set against an aging, industrial context, the school convincingly accepts its site conditions but also suggests a new level of dynamism and activity. The library displays vivid colors and historically significant names and ideas while the multipurpose area utilizes a subdued palette displaying the school’s guiding principles in Spanish and English. Vibrant colors are used to create energy in what is typically considered a calm environment while a cool color is used to temper the activity housed within a very active environment.

Color, signage, and text are used well throughout the building as a way of stimulating the mind and highlighting architectural features.

Building FundingCharter schools use state and federal programs that provide loan guarantees for “community facilities.” For instance, charter schools in rural areas are eligible for loan guarantees under a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. On a local level, some districts have even extended loan

Figure 1.8.12: Open staircase to below promotes informal surveillance

Figure 1.8.13: Classrooms, being placed at the perimeter of the floor plan, have numerous windows and an abundance of natural day lighting. guarantees to charter schools. Chicago Public Schools, commonly abbreviated as CPS by local residents and politicians, is a school district that controls over 600 public elementary and high schools in Chicago, Illinois. Perspectives Charter School, which serves a diverse, low-income population in grades 6-12 in downtown Chicago, recently was guaranteed $4.5 million of a $5.5 million letter of credit.

SourcesPerspectives website

Perkins + Will Architects website

Tour of facility by students

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PERSPECTIVE CHARTER SCHOOL€¦ · • All students must be accepted to college before graduating. Perspectives not only prepares its students for life in college, but also keeps

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