Private Education Healthy body, healthy mind
One school’s new fitness center illustrates how educational facilities today are designed around the whole student experience — not just the classroom experience BY SCOTT PICKERING
spickering@eastbaymediagroup.com
So much has changed in the span of one generation that a classroom today bears little resemblance to a classroom “back in my day.” A school today is a very different place from what a school was “back then.” And a student, though each is wildly different from the other, bears little resemblance to a student from another era. It’s quite clear that students today expect more of their experiences than would be expected a generation ago. Most school leaders recognize this and are making investments accordingly. Especially in the world of private education, where institutions can be more nimble than in the public sector, schools are increasingly investing in the whole of the educational experience — devoting time, resources and money to facilities that extend beyond the classroom. Tour a college campus these days. Some of the newest buildings on many university campuses are student unions, recreation centers, gyms, and dining halls. Gorgeous, gleaming buildings, ablaze in sunlight from towering windows and filled with indulgent modern amenities, they are cathedrals to the student experience. Private schools understand this dynamic and are making similar investments in the student experience. “We definitely think about our students holistically,” said David Tinagero, head of school at St. Andrew’s School in Bar-
RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.
St. Andrew’s Head of School David Tinagero talks about how the new Conklin Fitness Center has been a hit since it opened earlier this month. He said the space is packed after school every day. rington, referring to their philosophy of ter,” said Tinagero, while standing inside response has been overwhelmingly a 360-degree education. Students learn the newest improved space on their positive. in their classrooms, but they also learn campus. “We do want students to have a great on their campus, in their residence St. Andrew’s has had a fitness center experience, and I think that’s what we halls, in their library and through their for the past 30 years, but it had grown accomplished here,” Tinagero said. clubs and sports teams. outdated and in need of refurbishment. “The students seem to love it so far. “You’ve seen how universities, and This summer, crews swept into the old They’e really enthusiastic.” schools in general, have invested heavi- space and transformed it into a modern Students and faculty together ly in co-curricular facilities, whether it’s facility loaded with new St. campus centers, student centers, gyms, Andrew’s-branded equipment. The St. Andrew’s has a student population libraries,” Tinagero said. St. Andrew’s space is filled with cardio and weight that blends day students with boarding has been steadily doing the same. machines, free weights, exercise balls students. The fitness center is available “Our last few major Investments have and bands and more. to all, as well as the school’s sports included our student center, our library, The new Conklin Fitness Center offi- teams and the faculty and community which we refurbished last year, our cially opened earlier this month, and squash center and now this fitness cen- according to the head of school, See ST. ANDREWS Page 2