The following standards for new schools are for the use
of all school districts for the purposes of educational appropriateness and
promotion of school safety:
(a)
Educational Specifications.
Prior to submitting preliminary plans for the design and
construction of school facilities, and as a condition of final plan approval by
CDE, school board-approved educational specifications for school design shall
be prepared and submitted to the California Department of Education based on
the school district's goals, objectives, policies and community input that
determine the educational program and define the following:
(1) Enrollment of the school and the grade
level configuration.
(2) Emphasis
in curriculum content or teaching methodology that influences school
design.
(3) Type, number, size,
function, special characteristics of each space, and spatial relationships of
the instructional area that are consistent with the educational
program.
(4) Community functions
that may affect the school design.
(b) Site Layout.
Parent drop off, bus loading areas, and parking shall be
separated to allow students to enter and exit the school grounds safely unless
these features are unavailable due to limited acreage in urban areas or
restrictive locations, specifically:
(1) Buses do not pass through parking areas
to enter or exit school site unless a barrier is provided that prevents
vehicles from backing directly into the bus loading area.
(2) Parent drop off area is adjacent to
school entrance and separate from bus area and staff parking.
(3) Vehicle traffic pattern does not
interfere with foot traffic patterns. Foot traffic does not have to pass
through entrance driveways to enter school. Crosswalks are clearly marked to
define desired foot path to school entrance.
(4) Parking stalls are not located so
vehicles must back into bus or loading areas used by parents. Island fencing or
curbs are used to separate parking areas from loading/unloading
areas.
(5) To provide equal access
to insure the purposes of the least restrictive environment, bus drop off for
handicapped students is in the same location as for regular education
students.
(c) Playground
and Field Areas.
Adequate physical education teaching stations shall be
available to accommodate course requirements for the planned enrollment,
specifically:
(1) A variety of
physical education teaching stations are available to provide a comprehensive
physical education program in accordance with the district's adopted course of
study (including hardcourt, field area and indoor spaces).
(2) The physical education teaching stations
are adequate for the planned student enrollment to complete the minimum
instruction and course work defined in Education Code Sections
51210(g),
51220(d)
and
51225.3(a)(1)(F).
(3) Supervision of playfields is not
obstructed by buildings or objects that impair observation.
(4) Joint use for educational purposes with
other public agencies is explored. Joint use layout with parks is not
duplicative and fulfills both agencies' needs.
(d) Delivery and Utility Areas.
Delivery and service areas shall be located to provide
vehicular access that does not jeopardize the safety of students and
staff:
(1) Delivery/utility vehicles
have direct access from the street to the delivery area without crossing over
playground or field areas or interfering with bus or parent loading unless a
fence or other barrier protects students from large vehicle traffic on
playgrounds.
(2) Trash pickup is
fenced or otherwise isolated and away from foot traffic
areas.
(e) Future
Expansion.
Site layouts shall have capability for expansion without
substantial alterations to existing structures or playgrounds:
(1) Site layout designates area(s) for future
permanent or temporary additions that are compatible with the existing site
plans for playground layout and supervision.
(2) Utilities to the expansion area are
included in the plans and have the capacity to accommodate anticipated
growth.
(3) Exits, corridors,
stairs, and elevators are located to accommodate capacity of additions,
particularly in such buildings added as the multi-purpose/cafeteria,
administration, gymnasium/or auditorium.
(f) Placement of Buildings.
Building placement shall consider compatibility of the
various functions on campus and provide optimum patterns of foot traffic flow
around and within buildings. Site layout of buildings, parking, driveways, and
physical education areas shall be adequate to meet the instructional, security
and service needs of the educational program:
(1) Building placement is compatible with
other functions on campus; e.g., band room is not next to library.
(2) Physical relationship of classrooms,
auxiliary, and support areas allows unobstructed movement of staff and students
around the campus.
(3) Building
placement has favorable orientation to wind, sun, rain, and natural
light.
(4) Restrooms are
conveniently located, require minimum supervision, and, to the extent possible,
are easily accessible from playground and classrooms.
(5) Parking spaces are sufficient for staff,
visitors, and students (where applicable).
(6) The campus is secured by fencing and
electronic devices such as code entries, electronic monitoring or motion
sensors when needed.
(g)
Classrooms.
Classrooms at new school sites shall have adequate space
to perform the curriculum functions for the planned enrollment as described in
the school district's facility master plan, specifically:
(1) Classroom size standards:
(A) General classrooms, grades one through
twelve are not less than 960 square feet. Classrooms proposed of less than 960
square feet require written justification to be submitted to and approved by
the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Adjacent instructional space
shall be included in the calculation of square feet for purposes of approving
classroom design.
(B) Proposed
classrooms of less than 960 square feet have written justification consistent
with the educational program and curriculum indicating that the district's
education program can be delivered in the proposed size
classrooms.
(2) Total
classroom space meets or exceeds the capacity planned for the school using the
district's classroom loading standards in accordance with State Allocation
Board policy.
(3) Consideration is
given to some classrooms which are easily alterable in size and shape at a
reasonable cost.
(4)
Conduit/cabling and outlets are available for technology in each classroom to
provide network and stand alone equipment related to the planned and future
potential educational functions.
(h) Specialized Classrooms and Areas.
Specialized classrooms shall be designed to reflect the
function planned for that portion of the educational program. If any of the
following classrooms are needed, these standards apply:
(1) Small-Group Areas.
(A) Small-group instruction areas are not
included in the computation of classroom size unless the area is an integral
part of the classroom and can be visibly supervised by a teacher from the
classroom.
(B) Small-group
instruction areas are designed to allow for collaborative learning
opportunities where appropriate to support the regular education program and
are located in the vicinity of classrooms.
(2) Kindergarten Classrooms.
(A) Kindergarten classroom size for permanent
structures is not less than 1350 square feet, including restrooms, storage,
teacher preparation, wet and dry areas.
(B) Kindergarten classrooms are designed to
allow supervision of play yards (unless prevented by site shape or size) and
all areas of the classroom.
(C)
Play yard design provides a variety of activities for development of large
motor skills.
(D) Classrooms are
located close to parent drop-off and bus loading areas.
(E) Storage, casework, and learning stations
are functionally designed for use in free play and structured activities; e.g.,
shelves are deep and open for frequent use of manipulative materials.
(F) Windows, marking boards, sinks, drinking
fountains, and furniture are appropriate heights for kindergarten-age
students.
(G) Restrooms are
self-contained within the classroom or within the kindergarten
complex.
(3) Special
Education Classrooms and Areas.
(A) A new
school designates at least 240 square feet for the resource specialist program
and provides additional space in accordance with the allocations in Education
Code Section 17747(a) as larger enrollments are being planned.
(B) A new school designates at least 200
square feet for the speech and language program which is close to classrooms
when an individualized instruction program is necessary.
(C) A new school designates office area for
the psychologist/counseling program which provides for confidentiality and may
be shared with other support service programs.
(D) Special day classrooms are at least the
same size as regular education classrooms at that site and are properly
equipped for the students who will occupy the space, for their age and type of
disabling condition.
(E) The square
footage allowance in Education Code Section 17747(a) for special day class
programs is used for the design of classroom space and other space on the
campus to support the special education program. The support space includes but
is not limited to speech specialist area, psychologist, counseling offices and
conference area.
(F) Special day
classrooms are distributed throughout the campus with age appropriate regular
education classrooms.
(G) A cluster
of two special day classrooms may be considered if support or auxiliary
services (e.g., bathrooming, feeding, physical or occupational therapy) are
needed to serve the students throughout the school day.
(H) A conference area is available to conduct
annual individualized education program meetings for each special education
student.
(I) Medical therapy units,
if planned for the site, are close to visitor parking areas and accessible
after school hours.
(i) Laboratories shall be designed in
accordance with the planned curriculum.
(1)
Science laboratory:
(A) Size is at least 1300
square feet including storage and teacher preparation area.
(B) Science laboratory design is consistent
with the requirements for proper hazardous materials management specified in
both the "Science Facilities Design for California Public Schools," published
by the California Department of Education, 1993, and the "Science Safety
Handbook for California Public Schools," published by the California State
Department of Education, 1999.
(C)
Accommodations are made for necessary safety equipment and storage of supplies;
e.g., fire extinguisher, first aid kit, master disconnect valve for
gas.
(D) Secured storage areas are
provided for volatile, flammable, and corrosive chemicals and cleaning
agents.
(E) Properly designated
areas are provided with appropriate ventilation for hazardous materials that
emit noxious fumes, including a high volume purge system in the event of
accidental release of toxic substances which may become airborne.
(F) Exhaust fume hoods, eye washes, deluge
showers are provided.
(G) Floor and
ceiling ventilation is provided in areas where chemicals are stored.
(H) Room is provided for movement of students
around fixed-learning stations.
(I)
There is the capability for technology which complements the
curriculum.
(J) Classrooms are
flexibly designed to insure full student access to laboratory stations and
lecture areas.
(2)
Consumer Home Economics laboratory:
(A) There
is room for movement of students around fixed learning stations.
(B) Cooking equipment reflects current home
food preparation practices and/or commercial food preparation
simulation.
(C) There is the
capability for technology which complements portions of the curriculum, such as
fashion design, consumer economics, and nutritional analysis of
foods.
(D) There is space for
industrial or home sewing equipment consistent with the planned
curriculum.
(E) There is storage
for student projects and supplies.
(F) Space for work tables is provided for
such activities as cutting fabric or completing interior design
projects.
(G) Lecture area is
provided.
(H) At least 1300 square
feet is allocated for each laboratory.
(I) If part of the planned program, space for
a child care area or for a laboratory to teach child growth and development is
provided.
(3) Industrial
and Technology/Education Laboratory:
(A) Room
is provided for movement of students around fixed learning stations.
(B) Flexible stations with sufficient outlets
and power source for industrial type equipment is provided.
(C) Space is provided for various simulations
of job-related experiences and laboratory work stations.
(D) There is capability to utilize technology
which complements the curriculum, such as computer-aided graphics, electronics
and specialized tools.
(E) There is
lecture area within each laboratory or near the laboratory area where
appropriate.
(F) There are
accommodations for necessary health and safety equipment, such as fire
extinguisher and first aid kit.
(G)
Secured storage areas for volatile, flammable and corrosive chemicals and
cleaning agents are provided where appropriate.
(H) There are properly designated areas with
appropriate ventilation for the use of hazardous material that emit noxious
fumes or excessive dust particles.
(I) Proper storage and removal access for
hazardous waste materials is provided in each laboratory using such
materials.
(4) Computer
Instructional Support Area:
(A) If a standard
classroom is being designated as a computer laboratory, size is at least 960
square feet.
(B) Room is provided
for movement of students around learning stations.
(C) Sufficient outlets, power sources, and
network links for the amount of equipment are provided.
(D) Proper ventilation is provided.
(E) Room provides for security of
equipment.
(F) Lighting minimizes
screen glare and eye strain.
(j) Gymnasium, Shower/Locker shall be
designed to accommodate multiple use activities in accordance with the planned
enrollment:
(1) The gymnasium is secured from
other parts of the campus for evening and weekend events or for public use
purposes.
(2) The shower/locker
area is of sufficient size to allow students enrolled in the physical education
program to shower and dress each period.
(3) Toilets are available for the public in
facilities intended for shared community use other than in shower/locker
areas.
(4) Office space is provided
for physical education teachers.
(5) Space is available for specialized
age-appropriate physical education activities such as weight lifting, exercise
equipment usage, aerobics.
(k) Auxiliary Areas.
(1) Multipurpose/cafeteria area (indoor or
outdoor) shall be adequately sized and flexibly designed to protect students
from the elements and to allow all students adequate eating time during each
lunch period and to accommodate such uses as physical education activities,
assemblies, and extracurricular activities:
(A) Tables and benches or seats are designed
to maximize space and allow flexibility in the use of the space.
(B) The location is easily accessible for
student and community use, but is close to street for delivery truck
access.
(C) Stage/platform may have
a dividing wall to be used for instructional purposes but is not intended as a
classroom.
(D) Area for the
cafeteria line is designed for the flow of traffic for each lunch
period.
(E) Design of kitchen
reflects its planned function; e.g., whether for food preparation or warming
only.
(F) Space is available for
refrigeration and preparation of foods to accommodate maximum number of
students planned for the school.
(G) Office, changing, and restroom area for
food preparation staff is available and shall comply with local department of
health requirements.
(H) Ceiling
height allows for clearance of light fixtures for physical education
activities.
(2)
Administrative Office.
The administrative office shall have sufficient square
footage to accommodate the number of staff for the maximum enrollment planned
for the school consistent with the master plan for the school district and
shall be designed to efficiently conduct the administrative functions,
specifically:
(A) Students have direct
confidential access to pupil personnel area.
(B) Counter tops are accessible for an
age-appropriate population both at a standing and wheelchair level.
(C) Clerical staff have a clear view of
nurse's office.
(D) The nurse's
office has a bathroom separate from staff bathroom(s) in administration
area.
(E) Space for private
conference and waiting area is available.
(F) Capability for such computer networking
functions as attendance accounting and communicating to each classroom is
considered.
(G) A faculty workroom
is available for a staff size proportionate to the student
population.
(3)
Library/Media Center and Technology.
Library space shall be proportional to the maximum
planned school enrollment. The size shall be no less than 960 square feet.
However, to allow adaptation for changing technology and communication systems,
the following is recommended:
-two square feet per unit of a.d.a. (average daily
attendance) for elementary;
-three square feet per unit of a.d.a. for middle or
junior high (grades 6-8);
-four square feet per unit of a.d.a. for high school. In
addition:
(A) Provide security for
technology and media equipment.
(B)
Space and capability for computer terminals is considered for student use,
research and report writing.
(C)
Visual supervision from circulation desk is available to study areas, stack
space, and student work centers.
(D) Design for open and closed-circuit
television, dedicated phone line, electrical outlets for stand-alone computers,
and conduit connecting all instructional areas is
considered.
(l)
Lighting.
Light design shall generate an illumination level that
provides comfortable and adequate visual conditions in each educational space,
specifically:
(1) Ceilings and walls
are white or light colored for high reflectance unless function of space
dictates otherwise.
(2) Lights do
not produce glare or block the line of sight.
(3) Window treatment allows entrance of
daylight but does not cause excessive glare or heat gain.
(4) Fixtures provide an even light
distribution throughout the learning area.
(5) Light design follows the California
Electrical Code found in Part 3 of
Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations.
(m)
Acoustical.
Hearing conditions shall complement the educational
function by good sound control in school buildings, specifically:
(1) The sound-conditioning in a given space
is acoustically comfortable to permit instructional activities to take place in
this classroom.
(2) Sound is
transmitted without interfering with adjoining instructional spaces; e.g., room
partitions are acoustically designed to minimize noise.
(3) The ventilation system does not transmit
an inordinate sound level to the instructional program.
(n) Plumbing.
Restroom stalls shall be sufficient to accommodate the
maximum planned enrollment and shall be located on campus to allow for
supervision.
(1) Refer to Part 5,
Title 24, of the California Code of Regulations.
(2) Outdoor restrooms having direct outside
access are located in areas that are visible from playground and are easily
supervised.
(o)
Year-Round Education.
If a school is being planned for multitrack year-round
operation, additional space shall be provided for associated needs:
(1) Additional space is available for storage
of records for staff for all tracks. Additional storage space for the supplies
and projects of off-track students is considered.
(2) Storage and planning space is available
for off-track teachers or teachers not assigned to a
classroom.
(p) American
Disabilities Act.
Schools shall comply with standards established by the
American Disabilities Act (Public Law 101-336, Title
II).
(q) Child Care
Programs.
Schools shall comply with the requirements set forth in
Education Code Section 39113.5 regarding plans and specifications for new
schools being designed to provide appropriate space to accommodate
before-school and after-school child care programs.
(r) Exemptions.
At the request of the governing board of a school
district, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant exemptions
to any of the standards in this section if the district can demonstrate that
the educational appropriateness and safety of a school design would not be
compromised by an alternative to that standard.
Notes
Cal. Code
Regs. Tit. 5, §
14030
1.
Amendment of section and NOTE filed 9-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 77, No. 39).
2. Amendment of article heading, repealer and
adoption of section heading and text, and amendment of NOTE filed 11-12-93;
operative 12-13-93 (Register 93, No. 46).
3. Amendment of
subsections (a), (b)-(b)(1), (g)(1)(A), (i)(1)(B), (n)-(n)(1) and (p)-(r), new
subsection (i)(4)-(i)(4)(F), and amendment of NOTE filed 10-30-2000; operative
10-30-2000 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 2000, No.
44).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 17251(c) and 33031,
Education Code. Reference: Sections 17047(a), 17251(c), 17310, 51210(g),
51220(d) and 51225.3, Education Code.
1. Amendment of
section and NOTE filed 9-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register
77, No. 39).
2. Amendment of article heading, repealer and adoption
of section heading and text, and amendment of Note filed 11-12-93; operative
12-13-93 (Register 93, No. 46).
3. Amendment of subsections (a),
(b)-(b)(1), (g)(1)(A), (i)(1)(B), (n)-(n)(1) and (p)-(r), new subsection
(i)(4)-(i)(4)(F), and amendment of Note filed 10-30-2000; operative 10-30-2000
pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 2000, No.
44).
