Flexible Spaces and Time at WAB

These are not isolated experiences; they reflect a broader philosophy of learning at WAB: that time and space, when thoughtfully designed, become active contributors to student growth. Across the school, classrooms, labs, and creative hubs are no longer static rooms; they are dynamic environments that inspire collaboration and agency. 

Flexible learning spaces are intentionally crafted to support multiple ways of learning. Movable walls, writeable surfaces and adaptable furniture allow classrooms to be opened-up for interdisciplinary sessions or closed for focused study. Teachers can connect adjoining rooms for shared lessons or team projects, and reconfigure layouts to support discussion, experimentation, or presentation.  

In Middle School Science, for example, flexible tables and open layouts let students move easily between group experiments and class-wide discussions. In High School, purpose-built labs provide the specialized equipment and stability needed for advanced study. Across divisions, students learn to match their approach to space, and adapt the spaces to their learning, collaborating when it’s helpful, working independently when it’s needed. 

The power of flexible design extends beyond the classroom walls. Outdoor environments, like the Early Years Little Village, blend of exploration, play, and inquiry. The Middle School’s interdisciplinary garden project, combining math, science, and humanities, takes that same spirit outdoors, allowing students to design, measure, and grow something real. These experiences connect learning to both the natural world and the community around them. 

WAB’s approach to flexible time complements these spaces. Initiatives such as Day 9 allow students to engage deeply with their learning goals across multiple sessions, fostering reflection, independence, and self-management. Whether catching up on coursework, attending extension workshops, or leading a club activity, students learn to balance structure with autonomy, a key step in developing agency. 

By designing spaces and time that are adaptable, responsive, and centered on student choice and ownership of their learning, WAB ensures that learning is active and connected to the real world. These innovations support academic growth and nurture creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, competencies that students carry far beyond the classroom. 

Looking ahead, WAB will continue to refine these spaces and programs with research, feedback guiding the next phase of innovation. From science labs to theater stages, connected classrooms to outdoor learning zones, students remain at the center of learning that is flexible, immersive, and deeply human. 

To learn more about Day 9, check out this previous story.

This year, through our Innovation Series, in collaboration with Stephen Taylor, our Director of Innovation, we’ll be sharing stories and examples of what innovation looks like across WAB. We’ll share stories from classrooms, examples from alumni, and insights from global partners. Our hope is that together, we can build a clearer picture of how innovation at WAB helps our students become better learners and prepared for life beyond WAB.