As another school year comes to a close, many educators are already looking ahead to the fall. Summer offers a unique opportunity to make meaningful improvements to school environments without disrupting daily instruction.

The most effective school improvement projects don't always require major renovations or large capital budgets. Often, small changes to how students move, interact, and engage within school spaces can have a significant impact on behavior, wellness, and school climate.

Research continues to show that school environments, physical activity opportunities, and student connectedness all play an important role in student success.

• The CDC reports that physical activity during the school day can help students improve focus, classroom behavior, grades, and test scores.
• Students who are physically active tend to demonstrate better academic performance, attendance, memory, and on-task behavior.
• School connectedness—students feeling valued, supported, and included—is associated with improved health, well-being, and academic outcomes.
• The CDC and SHAPE America identify recess and active play opportunities as evidence-based strategies that can support physical activity, attention, behavior, and academic achievement.

If your school is planning summer improvements, here are seven projects worth considering before students return.

1. Create More Opportunities for Movement Throughout the School Day

Students spend a significant portion of their day seated, yet research continues to demonstrate the connection between movement, attention, self-regulation, and learning. Less movement = less learning. According to the CDC, classroom physical activity can improve academic performance, increase on-task behavior, improve concentration, and reduce disruptive behaviors. Summer is an ideal time to evaluate areas where students experience long transitions, wait times, or periods of inactivity. Consider:

- Hallway movement opportunities
- Transition activities between classes
- Brain break spaces
- Active waiting areas
- Indoor movement zones for inclement weather

The goal is not to add more work for teachers but to create environments that naturally encourage purposeful movement throughout the day so that all students can be successful students!

2. Reimagine Recess and Blacktop Spaces

The CDC states that recess supports students' mental, emotional, and physical well-being while encouraging physical activity and peer interaction  For many schools, recess areas are underutilized simply because they lack structure or variety, and do not meet students every-growing  needs. This causes undesirable behaviors, disengagement, and lack of diversity. A fresh look at outdoor play spaces can help schools encourage physical activity, cooperation, creativity, and social interaction. Ideas include:
- Game zones
- Walking paths
- Fitness stations
- Educational pavement markings
- Sports skill areas
- Cooperative play activities

Even modest improvements can help create a more engaging recess environment that supports student wellness and positive peer interactions. And remember, CDC and SHAPE America guidance recommends schools provide at least 20 minutes of daily recess or a similar period of physical activity for all students. Ask any student, teacher, or parent, and they will tell you 20 minutes isn't nearly enough. Even the 60 minutes of overall daily physical activity recommended by the CDC is not enough. Schools play a critical role in helping students achieve any level of physical activity necessary while supporting academic success and healthy development for the whole-child.

3. Establish Wellness and Self-Regulation Spaces

Student wellness remains a growing priority for schools nationwide especially with the rising rates of anxiety, stress, and mental health conditions. Recent guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that movement breaks and recess support attention, emotional regulation, concentration, and overall student well-being.Many schools are creating dedicated spaces that help students recognize emotions, practice self-regulation, and develop coping strategies throughout the day. Potential additions include:

- Wellness zones
- Calm-down spaces
- Reflection areas
- SEL-focused displays
- Emotional regulation supports
- Positive affirmation walls

These spaces can serve as proactive supports that help students build self-awareness and emotional regulation skills.

4. Improve Hallways Beyond Traffic Flow

Hallways are often viewed simply as transitional spaces. However, they represent a significant portion of the student experience. This is where kids begin their day, laugh, chat, get things from their lockers, go to other classrooms, or get dismissed at the end of the day.  Schools increasingly use hallways to reinforce learning, encourage movement, promote positive behavior, and build school culture. Summer improvements may include:

- Educational graphics
- Interactive learning displays
- Wayfinding systems
- School pride installations
- Wellness messaging
- Student recognition areas

Transforming hallways into purposeful environments can help create a more engaging and welcoming atmosphere throughout the building.

5. Evaluate School Climate Through the Physical Environment

The CDC identifies school connectedness as one of the strongest protective factors for youth. Students who feel connected to school experience better mental health and improved long-term outcomes. But, school climate is influenced by more than programs and policies. The physical environment communicates important messages about belonging, safety, engagement, and expectations. Architecturally, the size of the spaces, the colors, lighting, furnishings,  and graphics all contribute to school culture messaging. As part of summer planning, consider:

- What do students see when they enter the building?
- Where do students gather?
- Are there spaces that feel inviting and inclusive?
- Are positive behaviors reinforced visually?
- Do school spaces reflect student needs and interests?

Small environmental changes can contribute to a stronger sense of connection and belonging for students and staff alike.

6. Support Positive Transitions

Many behavior challenges occur during transitions rather than during instructional time. This holds especially true when students return from recess. Research suggests that physical activity opportunities throughout the school day can help improve attention and behavior, making transitions and learning environments more productive. Summer is a valuable opportunity to identify transition points that could benefit from additional support. Examples include:

- Arrival and dismissal areas
- Hallway intersections
- Cafeteria entrances
- Waiting areas
- Before-school spaces
- After-school program locations

Designing these spaces intentionally and with guiding graphics, can help reduce downtime, improve flow, and support student success throughout the day.

7. Focus on Low-Cost, High-Impact Improvements

Schools are uniquely positioned to influence student wellness because nearly all children spend a significant portion of their day on a school campus. Not every improvement requires a major budget commitment. Many schools successfully implement projects that deliver meaningful results while remaining affordable and easy to maintain. Examples include:

- Visual supports
- Wellness messaging
- Active play markings
- Student engagement activities
- School spirit graphics
- Movement prompts
- Social-emotional learning displays

The most successful projects often begin with a clear understanding of student needs and a commitment to creating environments that support learning, wellness, and belonging.

Final Notes

Did you know?

• Physical activity is associated with improved grades, attendance, concentration, and classroom behavior.
• School connectedness is linked to better mental health and reduced risk behaviors.
• Recess supports students' social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• The CDC and SHAPE America recommend structured planning for recess and physical activity opportunities throughout the school day.

Looking Ahead to Fall

As educators reflect on the past year, summer provides a valuable window to make improvements that can positively influence the student experience from the very first day of school. Whether your goals include improving student behavior, increasing physical activity, supporting wellness, strengthening school climate, or enhancing recess, thoughtful environmental improvements can help schools create spaces where students are ready to learn, connect, and thrive.

At Fit and Fun Playscapes, we've spent more than 15 years helping schools transform hallways, blacktops, playgrounds, and shared spaces into environments that encourage movement, engagement, wellness, and learning. From sensory paths and wellness zones to playground stencils, activity graphics, and school pride displays, summer is often the perfect time to refresh existing spaces or create new opportunities for student success before the school year begins.

Reach out to us! We can help you with...
- Planning a sensory path for your school
- Creating effective recess zones
- Wellness spaces that support self-regulation
- Summer maintenance tips for school graphics and decals

The best time to prepare for a successful school year is before the first bell rings. Summer improvements made today can create lasting benefits for students, staff, and school communities throughout the year.