New AIA report links school safety, student wellbeing, and learning success to the design of learning spaces

WASHINGTON – October 28, 2026 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released Let Kids Be Kids: A Progress Report on Schools and Safety, a comprehensive resource authored by Caroline Lobo, AIA, and Dina Miris Sorensen, Assoc. AIA, examining how school design can foster safety, well-being, belonging, and student success.

Launched at the EDspaces 2026 conference in Kansas City, Let Kids Be Kids builds on more than a decade of research conducted by the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) Research Subcommittee and Safe Schools Working Group. The report examines how school design influences student experiences and well-being, exploring the critical connection between the built environment and feelings of safety, belonging, and support. Moving beyond a narrow focus on security measures, Let Kids Be Kids advocates for a holistic approach to school safety that embraces community, promotes mental health, advances inclusion, and creates environments where students can learn and thrive.

"Safe schools are about more than protecting students from harm. They are about creating environments where children feel welcome, valued, and empowered to thrive," said Sorensen. "Let Kids Be Kids provides architects, educators, and community leaders with practical tools and research-informed strategies to design schools that support the whole child."

Designed as a modular toolbox, the report allows readers to explore individual topics based on their priorities or engage with the publication as a comprehensive guide. The resource addresses key issues shaping school design today, including safety and security, community engagement, mental health, design justice, post-occupancy evaluation, and strategies for fostering a sense of belonging.

The report serves as a resource for architects, educators, school administrators, policymakers, and community stakeholders seeking to plan new facilities, improve existing schools, or inform broader conversations about the future of educational environments.

Through research findings, case studies, and actionable insights, Let Kids Be Kids encourages communities to rethink schools as places that not only safeguard students but also strengthen relationships, support emotional well-being, and create opportunities for every child to succeed.

"As communities continue to evaluate what students need to learn, grow, and flourish, the design of school environments plays a critical role," said Lobo. "This report offers a framework for creating schools where safety and belonging work hand in hand."

Learn more about Let Kids Be Kids: A Progress Report on Schools and Safety.