Posts in category: News

Our next installment of thought starters will cover training and classrooms for active learning. We will showcase spaces that support flexibility, collaboration, focus work, and more.

What Are Active Learning Environments?

Training and classrooms for active learning provide students and employees options and tools to actively engage in the learning process. New design principles for these spaces include: Me + We: Spaces that equally support large groups, small groups and individuals Fixed to Fluid: Multimodal spaces support multiple purposes and pedagogies Open + Enclosed: More shielded “me” and activate more open “we” spaces Braiding Digital + Physical: Increase video use in “me” and “we” spaces.

Renderings

Ideal for higher education or large-group training, this traditional setup centers on a speaker at the front of the room, providing an optimal learning environment with clear focus and engagement.

This environment is a good example of the Me + We design principle in use. The seats in front of computers are “me” spaces for individual use or support a group lesson. Additionally, a collaboration space supports group work.

These two grade school classrooms create an interactive learning environment with their bright colors,
collaborative spaces, and seating arrangements. Teachers can easily transition their students from one
activity to the next thanks to furniture that supports multiple learning postures.

Fixed to Fluid is on display in this space. While the layout pictured supports a typical lecture format, the whiteboards and casters on these tables allow for fully functioning group work activities.

Real Spaces

Multiple studies have shown that students in active learning environments consistently outperform those in traditional lecture-based classrooms. Active learning has been linked to lower failure rates, particularly in STEM subjects.

Movable boundaries provide shielding in open classrooms giving students and educators more control over privacy.

In this hyflex classroom, students can choose to join the class remotely or in-person. Thoughtfully integrated technology improves both the in-person and virtual experience.

Active learning is still possible even when teams are separated by distance. This flexible blended learning space includes mobile furniture, markerboards, acoustic boundaries, carts and a digital display on wheels to get people up, moving and engaged. This is an excellent example of braiding the digital and the physical.

Group activities inherent in active learning enhance collaboration and communication abilities.

This node chair with an attached worksurface is the perfect “me” space. With the ability to move and work anywhere it can function well in an open or enclosed space.

Highly-mobile and versatile furniture in these classrooms supports fluid transitions between different learning modes for all the ways students learn.

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Today our series continues with Work Cafés. We will peruse work cafe renderings of and see how they support different activities. Then we will explore real culture boosting work cafés that serve as break rooms, game areas, and more.

What is a Work Cafe?

A Work Café is a dynamic space that connects people with colleagues, their work, and their organization. It transforms traditional corporate cafeteria real estate into destinations for connection, collaboration, focus and innovation. For companies seeking to create a destination for hybrid workers, work cafés are an excellent amenity to attract employees to the office and foster community.

Renderings

This work café can pull double duty functioning providing a coffee shop vibe for hybrid workers or serving as a collaboration space for large groups.

Transform your cafeteria into a welcoming environment designed to foster conversation, brainstorming, hosting, and socializing.

Real Spaces

Culture boosting work cafés should be welcoming and vibrant. Leverage design attributes that set a welcoming atmosphere and vibrant ambiance, reflecting the desired brand and culture.

A work café functioning as a meeting commons offers a system of spaces that promotes collaboration, both planned and spontaneous.

Biophilia can have a significant positive impact on employees in a workplace setting as well. Incorporating elements of nature into the design of a workplace can lead to reduced stress, improved cognitive function, increased creativity, better mood and well-being, improved physical health, increased employee satisfaction, and reduced absenteeism.

Integrating technology in your work café allows any worker, as an individual or as a group, to work and meet at any place. Access to power, presentation devices, and Wi-Fi is key for success.

A welcoming work café is an excellent resource for hybrid workers. It can support a community of mobile workers who learn and share knowledge with each other.

Spaces like these are important because employees who feel connected to their organization and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

A work café can function as a specialty zone supporting workers with dining amenities and various food options.

Creating a social zone in your organization using nourishment as an attraction increases opportunities for chance encounters and cross-pollination.

The hosting characteristics of your work café can serve as an excellent tool to retain talent.

Hosting is ultimately about making employees feel connected to the organization, their work and each other.

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This week we are focusing on how to create collaboration spaces that fit what teams need to achieve success. We walk thought renderings of different layouts and discuss what kind of groups they support. Then we will wrap up with real life examples of spaces that support hybrid collaboration among teams.

Supporting Hybrid Teams

Create better collaboration spaces for hybrid teams. Explore a range of spaces and technology experiences designed to support in-office and remote teams of all sizes – whether you need to collaborate one-to-one or many-to-many.

Renderings

A space designed for teams to use throughout their project fosters hybrid collaboration. Tall seating accommodates various postures, while movable furniture lets teams quickly adapt the space for hybrid meetings or in-person sessions.

Maximize natural light in your collaboration spaces while reducing screen glare. Use commercial window coverings to minimize glare and create a bright, comfortable environment for productivity.

This space supports multiple postures. From stools in the stadium seating to table height on the bench it is easy to switch up positions and take different postures.

This space makes collaborative meetings more approachable by removing the traditional conference table and replacing it with moveable tables. This room is perfect for informal discussions.

With movable chairs and tables, this space can fit a large group of people or be moved to accommodate smaller groups.

Real Spaces

This hybrid space reimagines the traditional conference room by shifting the configuration to landscape. The Ocular table faces the long wall, optimizing the Microsoft Teams Front Row experience for seamless eye-to-eye interaction between in-person and remote participants. The Tap Touch Controller enables easy meeting access, while the Rally Bar Mini below the ultra -wide display enhances visual engagement.

Spaces like these are important because employees who feel heard and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

This hybrid meeting space is designed for seamless hybrid collaboration among teams and connection with remote colleagues. Soft surfaces and acoustic tiles reduce sound distractions, while a cool-toned backdrop creates an appealing on-camera environment. The off-camera entry ensures minimal interruptions, making it ideal for focused, professional interactions.

The Everwall system of modular privacy walls offers a flexible and aesthetically pleasing way to design adaptable spaces. This reconfigurable solution allows for easy adjustments over time and eliminates the need for permits, making it a convenient choice for dynamic environments.

Effortlessly shift from focus work to a video call in private, tech-enabled enclaves that makes it easy to connect with remote colleagues.

This open collaboration space, featuring a Microsoft Surface Hub, ensures engaging brainstorming
sessions for both in-person and remote participants. The Roam cart adds flexibility, allowing remote
teammates to be positioned where the action is—whether viewing markerboards or presenters.

This conference room is uniquely designed to accommodate a variety of postures. Whether perching on a stool, standing, or sitting on a plush couch, this environment encourages open conversations.

Besides being more attractive, spaces with biophilia reduce stress by 15%, increase productivity by 6%, and help employees be 15% more creative.

These informal hybrid collaboration settings encourage open dialogue and comfortable, private conversations with both virtual and in-person participants.

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Today we are continuing our series showcasing ways to create office and outdoor setting to help your organization function at its best. Today we are focusing on high-functioning workstations. We will show renderings and real spaces showcasing a variety of fixed to fluid solutions.

Workstations That Fit The Modern Workforce

Teams need a home base – a space where they can do focus work and have spontaneous moments of collaboration or relationship building. Access to personal storage, a height adjustable desk and an ergonomic chair are a must for today’s teams.

Renderings

While the footprint of this space may be small, it is packed with under desk storage and file storage. With the whiteboarding panels behind the chairs, this workstation is perfect for the tech or finance industry for employees to do quick calculations. Clear glass at the top of the panels provide a sense of privacy while allowing natural light into the space.

Modern workplaces demand flexibility and innovation. Our solutions go beyond traditional cubicles, offering advanced privacy, control, and comfort tailored for hybrid environments. Enjoy quick adaptations for video calls and focused work with our adaptable, privacy-enhancing systems.

Real Spaces

High-functioning workstations can promote collaboration which helps employees feel connected to their work and are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

Providing necessary amenities like storage can boost employee morale while keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Steelcase Flex Personal Spaces give people a heightened level of privacy, control and comfort in the hybrid workplace.

With so many new ways to bring in interesting materials, textures and colors, your workplace can express its personality like never before.

As workplaces evolve to meet modern needs, benching systems offer a flexible solution for hybrid employees who don’t require fixed workstations. Ideal for dynamic work environments, benching systems support collaboration and adaptability.

Sit-stand options encourage healthy movement and celebrate individual preferences as they change throughout the day.

Employees who feel connected to their organization and valued are significantly more likely to stay with an organization.

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We are excited to publish a new series of articles that will help you discover office and outdoor spaces that are perfect for your organization. Every organization is different with unique needs, so you need spaces that support your processes and culture.

Today, we are going to go through a series of high-performing private offices.

Why Private Offices Are Still Important

The movement toward more open, collaborative spaces is undeniable. Yet the need for private offices persists, especially in professions – such as legal, financial and human resources – that must promote high degrees of confidentiality and confidence. But amid economic, cultural and generational shifts, what people need from private offices is changing.

Where in the past, people may have established a routine of reporting to the office, sitting down and working all day, work is different now. It’s more dynamic, it has more dimensions – and it is significantly enabled by technology. For example, videoconferencing allows for remote work, and collaboration software allows for ongoing, agile work among distributed project teams. Additionally, organizations also face a new external reality: the rising cost of real estate, especially in dense urban areas. In response, they must do more with less.

Renderings

When designed well, you can create high-performing private offices at any size. These spaces can be assets to employee efficiency and productivity.

An existing large private office is repurposed with an intentional mix of micro zones to serve an individual or a small group. When the primary occupant is away, rather than sit empty, this space swings into service for busy coworkers.

Where present, high-performing private offices are smaller in size than their predecessors and standardized for simplicity and adaptability.

As real estate prices escalate, private offices must make more of every square foot — including horizontal and vertical planes — in order to deliver the productive focus and collaboration needed.

This compact but hardworking office makes room for receiving and processing large volumes of digital and analog information, as well as collaborating with other members of the organization.

Real Spaces

Responding to the needs and wants of top talent, private offices must help people achieve physical and emotional comfort, express identity and stimulate the cognitive process.

Loss of productivity due to noise distraction doubles in open plan offices compared to private offices.

As the workforce grows more mobile and dynamic, private offices must flex so individuals can adjust their environment in the moment, and organizations can repurpose offices for future needs.

To cultivate privacy, orient desks so users can see the door and be aware of entrants to the space. Select materials and wall/door treatments that optimize visual and acoustical shielding. Offer storage that can conceal confidential materials.

Create dual purpose spaces that serve as private offices or meeting rooms.

Help employees do their best work in a 10′ x 12′ or 10′ x 10′ footprint. Ample work surfaces and deep open shelving help maintain flow as employees switch from task to task. Digital and analog tools and guest seating support collaboration and quick, frequent conversations.

Create private offices within an open plan using glass walls. They offer acoustical privacy while maintaining visual connectivity with the surrounding space. This modular solution is easily movable and adaptable to changing needs.

Amid stress and overload, private offices can help restore cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing in order to enhance performance and satisfaction at work.

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We recently read a fantastic breakdown of hybrid work stats and what companies are planning in CBRE’s 2024 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey. You can read the results in their entirety or stick with us to learn a few takeaways we found most helpful for decision-makers.  2024 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey | CBRE (All graphs in this article come from the CBRE Survey Report.)  

In our synopsis of this report, we will cover how companies are responding to the following categories:  

• Office Attendance Policies and Mandates  

• Employer Expectations for Office Attendance vs. Actual Show-Up  

• Measurements of Workplace Effectiveness  

• Corporate Real Estate Technology Priorities  

• Most Desirable Amenities for Occupiers  

Office Attendance Policies and Mandates 

According to CBRE’s data, 80% of companies have a return-to-work policy in place. That means the majority of companies in the US prioritize having their employees in the office so much that 51% have mandated it. However, there is a discrepancy between the mandates, and how strictly companies enforce them. The first step to mandating a policy should be measuring whether or not it is being followed and only 45% of companies are reporting to be doing that. Additionally, only 17% of those policies are enforced.  

Employer Expectations for Office Attendance vs. Actual Show-Up   

As seen in this table, employers expect a higher in-office attendance rate than employees actually show up. While it is not a huge discrepancy, there is an expectation gap nonetheless.  

This communicates that companies want their employees in the office, but they are not willing to take harsh measures to ensure employees come in. In many cases, employers are in a stalemate position with their employees and at risk of losing talent if they enforce these mandates. The question remains, should companies adjust their policies to be consistent with what they are willing to enforce? Or, should they keep the policies in hopes the economy may influence employees to comply?   

Measurements of Workplace Effectiveness  

It all comes down to workplace effectiveness and how you measure that. When decision-makers are trying to make the best long-term decisions regarding their space, space utilization is understandably the key indicator. How many days employees are in the office directly corresponds to how well you use and manage the space. That is why 74% of companies measure how fully the spaces they provide are used. Harder to measure is employee engagement. Yet, 65% of businesses find these important hybrid work stats to track. Another easier statistic to measure is employee retention and/or attrition. If you are losing employees then your space is not effective for work. That is why 35% of companies prioritize this measurement. Unexpectedly, only 28% of companies measure workforce productivity to determine a space’s productivity. This can also be hard to ascertain because so much of the in-office work is naturally collaborative.   

No matter how you look at it, time in-office is always going to be important and decision-makers should work to create spaces that employees both want and need to be successful. 

Corporate Real Estate Technology Priorities  

Some of the most important tools that support well-functioning hybrid environments are technology tools. It is a well-known fact that to support a hybrid workplace, technology must play a major role. That is why 82% of companies are prioritizing the addition of enhanced video conferencing tools followed by room booking software and building and occupancy sensors. It stands to reason that the more you know about how your space is used, and create spaces your employees need when they are in the office, the more effective your workplace will be. 

Most Desirable Amenities for Occupiers  

In addition to technology that supports employees, there is also a laundry list of other amenities that employees want and employers could use to lure them back into the office. The top draws are easy and reliable transportation (preferably with parking available), food and shopping access, and access to environments that prioritize wellness. While some of these amenities depend on location, businesses can offer some of these things in their building. For example, they could provide a fitness facility, create a cafeteria, or improve their parking situation by buying a lot or subsidizing parking for employees. 

In conclusion, employers want to maximize the effectiveness of their real estate and that often looks like filling it with employees. However, with the discrepancy between employer expectations and employee show-up rates, they have some work to do. They can start by supporting employees when they are in the office with the spaces, technologies, and amenities they need to be productive. Over time, they may just see the positive shifts toward in-office attendance they have been hoping for. 

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Gaming at work can get a bad reputation — conjuring up images of laziness, isolation or distractions. But the Harvard Business Review, CNBC and the Hubspot Blog suggest it’s time to toss out those antiquated ideas and embrace the power of play. In three years, more than three billion people will be playing video games worldwide. And now some organizations are taking cues from universities and leveraging gaming to make work more productive, engaging and just plain fun.

“We often try to power through the day to get more work finished, which might not be as effective as planning short breaks to make time for an engaging activity, such as video games, that can help people recharge,” says Michael Rupp, co-author of Human Factors study on the impact of video games at work.

Creating gaming spaces and forming groups pulls people into the workplace — giving them a reason to show up for much needed connection even before or after work. A gaming community at Steelcase grew to nearly 200 global colleagues who connect to play video games and Esports (a team aptly named ‘Take a Seat’), as well as board games, trivia and jigsaw puzzles, connecting people virtually and in-person.

Work hard. Play hard.

Encouraging a little play at work helps to:

Create community: “You can’t make people be friends. The best you can do is provide the environment in which they do it,” says Robin Dunbar, author of “Friends” and University of Oxford professor emeritus. Friendships at work improve talent retention, and boost trust, engagement, creativity and collaboration. This is where an intentional gaming community can come into play (pun intended).

Allow for authenticity: “Games let us bring who we really are into the workplace,” says Charlie Hunt who along with Pasha Oudsema lead the Gaming Core Team at Steelcase. Hunt says the gaming community helps people feel seen by letting them express their passions outside of work.

Give our brains a break: “When work feels stressful, this space lets that weight lift. I see friends and I feel okay to take a mental break,” says Oudsema. Rupp’s study agrees: a short game break helped people reduce cognitive fatigue.

Build diverse teams: When it comes to games, identities like age, role or department don’t determine who can play. Diverse people come together based on finding joy, creating connections and networks that otherwise would not exist.

Develop key skills: Today’s gaming skills connect closely to what’s needed for success in the office. In person and distributed teammates collaborate, communicate, make quick decisions and figure out how to solve problems — sounds a lot like most days at work, right?

Here’s a few ideas to help start your gaming community.

• Find your gaming hub. Good ergonomic chairs, tiered seating and tables, and a comfy lounge give people lots of places to connect and game online or in person.
• Start with one game night. Don’t pressure yourself to build a community all at once.
• Have the right intention. Encourage departments and other employee resource groups to schedule a game break to build community through play.
• Offer puzzles and pixels. Survey employees and offer both digital and analog games that generate the most interest.
• Connect via chat. Consistent communication is the lifeblood of global gaming. A robust digital chat leads to a vibrant gaming community in person.

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When Jill Manlove and Whitney Bachman of Morgan Marie Design began their journey designing the new Dutch Bros office space, they knew this project would be special. Not just because of the brand—one known for its vibrant energy and community focus—but because of the philosophy, they bring to every design challenge: collaboration, communication, and a smooth process from concept to completion.

At the heart of this Mother-Daughter duo’s work is a belief that great design isn’t just about the final product, but also about the process. They are guides, leading their clients through the intricacies of design, construction, and implementation. A successful project is when everyone, from the principal to the contractor, walks away with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Building the Dutch Bros Vision

The new Dutch Bros office was designed to reflect the brand’s ethos: bold, energetic, and community-driven. But more than that, it had to serve the practical needs of a fast-growing company. So, the designers aimed to blend the high-energy, inviting feel of a Dutch Bros coffee stand with the functionality of a cutting-edge workspace.

Right from the start, they worked hand-in-hand with Dutch Bros leadership to understand their vision. The building would support group interactions on its first floor with a full kitchen, pool table, lounge, gathering space, conference room, and a couple of offices. Upstairs, they created privacy and control with plenty of private offices, small huddle rooms, and a large conference room. What emerged was a space designed to foster creativity and connection—large open spaces for collaboration, cozy corners for individual focus, and plenty of areas for relaxation and casual conversation. 

Accessing the Dutch Bros Color Pallet

Since Dutch Bros is such a recognizable brand, Jill and Whitney wanted to reflect the culture of the younger generation that works there. So, they worked on special requests like disco balls and LED signs. Additionally, they used the entire Dutch Bros color palette for inspiration with new color additions to broaden the sense of energy and interest. They worked diligently to find just the right palette to bring all of that color into each room through paint, furniture, and accents. The result was a welcoming environment that is fun, loud, and vibrant. 

“They wanted their culture embodied in their design but didn’t know how to get there. After we were done, our Dutch Bros contact said, ‘It just feels so us, yet so grown up and sophisticated.’ I think that surprised them.” -Whitney Bachman | Designer

Fortunately for Jill and Whitney, Dutch Bros fully trusted their expertise throughout the process. The designers could lean fully into their creative process, let loose, and do what they felt was the best direction for the space. 

Everybody Loves A Challenge

One of the most challenging spaces to design was the gathering room on the main level. Naturally, the space feels a bit like a garage because of its large garage door connecting to an open room meant to support multiple uses. The challenge came in making it feel purposeful and connected to the rest of the building. Jill and Whitney achieved that through paint colors, the addition of a plant wall with an LED sign, and modular furniture. 

However, their favorite space to design was the large conference room. They got to tie together so many of the brand’s colors in one space. Working with the Create Spaces team, they selected colorful and mobile chairs that supported the brand and functionality of the space. By selecting a fantastic wallpaper, that perfectly incorporated the color of the chairs and tables, they designed a cohesive and energetic space.

Morgan Marie Design Creates A Space That Feels Like Dutch Bros

When it was finally time to reveal the new office, it was everything Dutch Bros had hoped for. From the vibrant, inviting entryway to the sleek but welcoming workspaces, the new office is a place where employees can thrive. 

“Good design is being able to look at a blueprint and see something finished in your mind.” -Jill Manlove | Principal Designer

With the success of Dutch Bros under their belts, Jill and Whitney are eager to tackle more commercial spaces. While they design for both residential and commercial projects, their approach is the same. Being a good designer is more than great finishes. It is all about creating a seamless process that everyone involved enjoys. That is what Morgan Marie Design did for Dutch Bros, and what they hope to accomplish for many more clients to come.

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Oasis Academy in Fallon, Nevada is making a difference in its community by constructing a new high school campus. This public charter school opened its doors in August after a whirlwind of activity. The principal of the new state-of-the-art school, Rochelle Tisdale, tells us all about how the new school came to fruition and what it hopes to achieve in the near future.   

A Journey from Borrowing to Owning 

When Oasis Academy first opened its doors in 2011, the school operated out of a repurposed warehouse previously owned by Walmart. The building provided ample space for the school to build out all the classrooms they needed to hold their K-12 students. However, five years ago, the local community college opened one of its unused buildings for Oasis Academy to use for their high school students. This allowed the K-8 school to expand within its current space while the high schoolers enjoyed a separate campus.   

Unfortunately for Oasis, about two years ago, the community college received a grant to open a nursing program that required them to reclaim the building Oasis now used for its high school campus. So, the Oasis leadership team moved quickly to build a new high school in the two years they had to vacate the college’s space. Thanks to their fiscal responsibility and a grant from the William N. Pennington Foundation, Oasis constructed a brand new school in two years’ time.  

A Space Designed for Growth and Innovation  

The new Oasis Academy building spans 12,748 square feet and currently accommodates around 180 students, with plans to expand to 200 students in future phases. To provide the best education possible, Oasis keeps the class sizes between 24 and 26 students to preserve a personalized and close-knit learning environment.   

Safety and functionality were at the forefront of the design process. Classrooms feature windows strategically placed to offer natural light while maintaining privacy from the outside. Unique to this school, the building is designed to function similarly to a college campus in that teachers have dedicated offices rather than classrooms. Common areas and study carrels further enhance the collaborative learning atmosphere.  

As to the education students receive, Oasis is different than most public schools. They focus on preparing their student for the future by ensuring they leave high school with more than a high school education. 90% of the students graduate with either an associate degree or a certification in a career or technical training course thanks to their partnership with a local community college. By meeting with a school counselor weekly, 100% of students graduate, and many are work-ready whether they pursue further education or not.  

About 90% of our kids graduate with at least one associate degree. If they don’t get their associate’s degree, then we put them into a career and technical education course, like welding, or certified nursing assistant so they graduate with a Work Ready certificate.

Rochelle Tisdale | Principal

Flexible, Future-Ready Learning Spaces  

Regarding the design of the school, one of the standout features of the new building is its highly flexible furniture, selected with both current needs and future possibilities in mind. Partnering with the Create Spaces Reno team, the school chose furniture that is not only functional but also adaptable. Whiteboard surfaces and roller-equipped tables allow easy movement and reconfiguration, supporting a dynamic and engaging learning environment.  

The “Hangout” space where students eat and access their lockers has quickly become a favorite among students and staff alike. Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, this area offers various seating options, creating an inviting space for study, collaboration, and relaxation.  

The furniture allows for a lot of flexibility and movement. The teachers were very skeptical of it at first, but they like it now, because if they want to switch up the groups they have the kids move the furniture around. It has been quite nice. 

Rochelle Tisdale | Principal 

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future  

The new building has already made a significant impact on the educational experience at Oasis Academy. With better facilities and access to cutting-edge technology, students can now engage in more group projects and hands-on learning opportunities.   

With the successful completion of the new building, Oasis Academy stands poised to continue its legacy of educational excellence, equipped with the resources and vision to prepare and empower future generations. 

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Idaho Novus Classical Academy (INCA) is a new public charter school in the Eagle, Idaho foothills. Having opened its doors to K-6th graders for the first time in August, it is rapidly becoming a shining example of how to revitalize classical education in modern times. To learn more about this new school and its mission, we interviewed the Head of School, Dr. Vincent Kane. While Dr. Kane will be guiding the academy’s administration, he is also deeply involved in its day-to-day life. As the school leader, he sets the example of fostering a close-knit, engaged community.  

Watch the Case Study Video Here

A Grassroots Initiative with Strong Leadership  

The academy’s journey began about four years ago, sparked by a group of dedicated founding parents and community members. Among them was Mrs. Ruth David, whose grassroots efforts were instrumental in bringing the school to life. The school’s conception was made possible by a deep love for the American Experiment and dedication to raising up the next generation with those principles.  

Funding, Philanthropy, and A Thoughtful Approach to Growth  

As a public charter school, INCA receives funding similar to other public schools. However, the role of philanthropy has been crucial in its success. Major contributions from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation and Bluum have provided significant financial support, enabling the school to achieve its ambitious goals.   

“As a public charter school, we don’t have access to the same financial resources that a district school would. We can’t bond or Levy, which means we have to spend operational funds on facility debt service. So, it is a much more responsible choice for a school like ours to open as a K-6 school, grow to K-9, and ultimately expand to K-12 at the right moment.”

Dr. Vincent Kane | Head of School at Idaho Novus Classical Academy

While there are plans to expand the school to eventually support a K-12 model, starting with only six grades ensures INCA can build capacity responsibly. Currently, the building can support up to ninth grade, so within four years, the school hopes to expand the building to support all twelve grades. Phase two will include building additional classrooms and amenities onto one end of the school as well as adding a gymnasium where there is currently open space next to the playground.  

Classical Education with a Mission  

While planning is critical for the future of the school, its mission is what will fill classrooms. The principles of classical education emphasize virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. Students will learn about truth, justice, virtue, and beauty through classic stories. The Great Books, and even moral and political philosophy classes in high school. Every decision made at INCA, from financial strategies to curricular choices, is filtered through its mission-driven lens. The school aims to form future citizens who are knowledgeable and capable of thriving in a free republic. They are taught to uphold the ideals upon which the country was founded and continue the American experiment. Just as the school’s founders envisioned, INCA will be responsible for shaping the next generation of citizens. It will prepare them to be both virtuous and knowledgeable.  

“We recognize that students have been left a vast intellectual and cultural heritage and as a classical school, we want to immerse students in the best of what those traditions have to offer.”

Dr. Vincent Kane | Head of School at Idaho Novus Classical Academy

Small Class Sizes and the House System at Novus

With an initial enrollment of about 378 students, INCA is focused on maintaining small class sizes to enhance the learning experience. Kindergarten and first-grade do not exceed 18 students. Meanwhile, grades two and above have a maximum of 27 students per class. The school also features a unique house system. Students and faculty are sorted into five houses inspired by influential founding fathers. This system promotes friendly competition, mentorship, and community spirit, culminating in a house championship at the end of the year.  

Practical Use of Technology at Novus

While the academic program at INCA is low-tech, the operational side of the school is high-tech to ensure smooth functioning. The school has partnered with the Create Spaces Boise team, to design and install its low voltage systems essential for effective operations. This system provides an equal experience for both wireless and wired operators. Using dependable technology ensures INCA can support its academic mission without distracting from teacher-student interactions.  

A Bright Future Ahead  

As INCA grows, the school remains steadfast in its mission to provide a high-quality classical education. Dr. Kane’s leadership, combined with strong community support and careful planning, positions the school for long-term success. The integration of core values, small class sizes, and the innovative house system all contribute to a learning environment that prepares students to become well-rounded, virtuous citizens. INCA is not just a school. It is a community dedicated to forming the next generation intellectually and morally.  

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