By JASON ALEXANDER / Times Herald

Schools aren't being built for just math and reading anymore.

Rather, contemporary schools have as much, or more, room dedicated to extracurricular activities as they do to learning.

Take Marysville High School, which opened this month, for example. About 70% of the 238,000-square-foot building is dedicated to things such as gyms, a pool and even a coffee bar. That can be compared with older high schools such as Port Huron and Port Huron Northern-- built in 1957 and 1964, respectively -- where Superintendent H. Ronald Wollen said classrooms account for 75-80% of the buildings.

There are several reasons schools are taking on a new look, educators and builders said, and at least one is self-serving: As districts struggle to maintain enrollment, catching the eyes of students and parents elsewhere is important.

Another explanation is education itself is changing, Wollen said. Teaching today's students -- "21st century learners," as Wollen calls them -- is a whole new ball game.

"There's no question in my mind that many schools are going to look different than what we are used to," he said.

Plus, local superintendents said the community at large is playing a role in the changing dynamic. If districts are going to take out bonds, which means increasing taxes, to build or update schools, taxpayers want to make sure they can use the buildings, too.

A look around

A look at some of the Blue Water Area's newest schools followed by a glance at older ones paints the picture.

At Marysville High School, there are 25 standard classrooms that account for a combined 20,000 square feet. Eight science classrooms account for a combined 8,800 square feet. Then, there are eight more "specialty classrooms" -- for subjects such as art and music -- that vary in size for a combined 10,000 square feet.

The dining commons is 12,000 square feet, while the media center is 10,750 square feet, and the two gyms are 21,527 square feet combined. The natatorium is 10,860 square feet and the district administration offices account for 7,700 square feet. The remaining space includes high school offices, hallways, locker rooms, kitchen and storage.

Anchor Bay High School, which opened in 2003, is nearly 500,000 square feet, which includes a large commons area used for a variety of activities. It also is used for art shows, dance team practice and drama rehearsal. Much of the square footage comes from two gymnasiums, music rooms and multi-purpose areas.

Croswell-Lexington soon will double in size from 85,000 square feet to 155,000 square feet with a $17 million addition for which ground was broken in June. Although the addition will have 12 new classrooms, including two new science laboratories and a band room, much of the new space is dedicated to features such as a new gym and indoor track, a cafetorium and fitness center, which Cros-Lex Superintendent Kevin Miller described as "hybrid" areas. That means they will be used for instruction during the day and will have other uses at night -- the fitness area, for example, will be open to the public.

Port Huron and Port Huron Northern high schools, in comparison, have fewer frills. Before performing arts centers opened at the schools, classrooms accounted for nearly 90% of the buildings, Wollen said.

Added appeal, changing world

Square footage aside, the newer schools even have fancier touches.

For instance, the $42 million price tag for Marysville's new high school included a two-story library with extensive skylights and four connecting computer rooms.

There's no doubt school officials across the state are trying to send a message by upping the ante, said David Martell, executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials, a nonprofit organization.

Schools of Choice -- a program that allows students to attend school districts outside the one in which they live -- rears its head when districts break ground, he said.

"Families are making decision on what schools to send their kids to by what they offer," Martell said. "Schools are forced into it, trying to have the best facilities. People are much more demanding than they used to be."

Marysville Public Schools Superintendent John Silveri said Schools of Choice did not play a role in how the new high school was designed. But, he acknowledged marketing is important.

"You want to build the school to meet the needs of the students you have," Silveri said. "You do hope, however, to attract families who are looking to move into the area. You hope they are attracted in part because of the community and in part because of the schools."

From an education standpoint, Gary Jelin, vice president for education design with TMP Associates in Bloomfield Hills, said districts are dedicating more space to computer labs, science labs and areas for hands-on learning. Plus, districts are allowing for larger multi-purpose areas to accommodate changing lesson plans.

As school officials prepare for the future, common areas that can be changed to classroom space are being included in many new schools, Jelin said.

"It's not just four walls and desk anymore," said Jelin, whose company has designed and built hundreds of schools in Michigan, including Anchor Bay High School. "Officials don't know what teaching methods will be in 10 years, so they want adaptable spaces that can hold a variety of equipment."

Community

In Croswell-Lexington and Marysville, many of the new perks will be available to the public.

It's something officials said community members wanted when the designs were discussed and something Martell, with the Michigan School Business Officials, said seems to be growing more important statewide.

"What we think of cities and towns, now are really just school districts in some cases," he said.

Jelin, with TMP Associates, agreed.

"Schools don't sit idle in the evenings anymore. Instead, they are places where the whole community can gather," he said. "We are seeing it quite a bit."

Plus, he said, cities with smaller school districts don't always have facilities such as pools and gyms.

That's the case in Croswell, City Administrator Suzanne Dobson said.

"There are a few small workout places (in the area), but having it at the school will make it more accessible ...," Dobson said. "It will be easier for the community."

The school district also has offered up space for City Council meetings to be recorded, she said.

"We look at like we are responsible for more than just kids in the building," Cros-Lex Superintendent Kevin Miller said. "It's used as a school during the day, but why should it sit empty afterward?"

Kevin Palmateer, president of the Marysville school board, said district residents -- responding to a survey in 2003 -- said a new pool was important. So, the district built one.

Martell said another thing that prompted recent design changes is the Michigan High School Athletic Associations change of season. The switch, he said, might have forced some teams to practice late at night because of competition for gym time.

"Multiple gyms are much more common than in the past, even baseball and softball are using those facilities more," he said. "Extracurricular activities are becoming more advanced and sophisticated than in the past."

Palmateer said it's one of the reasons having two gyms at Marysville was important.

"We've got to have somewhere to put people when we have things going on," he said. "People in Marysville came to expect that."

Footing the bill

Karen Wilson of Marysville, who has a fifth-grader attending Marysville schools, doesn't mind paying extra for a nice facility.

"To me, it's well worth it," she said. "The old building was too small when I was there. This community is fortunate to have this facility."

Sue Clark of Marysville has two children in the district. The high school, she said, represents the city.

"Our kids are lucky to have the great technology," Clark said. "We have a great community. The nice building shows that we have a strong focus on education. As a taxpayer, I'm all for it."