WELL Building Standard for Schools: Simple Steps Toward Healthier Classrooms

As someone who has dedicated my career to improving indoor environmental health, I've seen firsthand how our built environments directly impact our well-being, focus, and productivity. Nowhere is this more critical than in our schools, where children spend over 940 hours each year learning, growing, and developing.

The WELL Building Standard has emerged as the premier Certification system for spaces that prioritise human health. While complete WELL Certification might be beyond many school budgets, the principles behind this standard offer a roadmap for creating healthier classrooms—even without pursuing official Certification.

Understanding the WELL Building Standard

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being. It focuses on air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.

For schools, these standards translate to environments that can:

• Reduce absenteeism by improving indoor air quality¹

• Improve test scores through optimised environmental conditions²

• Enhance cognitive function with better air quality and ventilation³

• Decrease behavioural issues by creating comfort and reducing stress⁴

  
  

While comprehensive certification requires significant investment, adopting key principles can yield meaningful improvements with minimal cost. Let's explore how to implement these standards in four critical areas without breaking your classroom budget.

Air Quality Improvements: Why It Matters

Poor indoor air quality directly impairs cognitive function—specifically, the skills essential for learning. Harvard research shows that cognitive scores can be significantly higher in environments with better air quality³. Common classroom air pollutants include VOCs from supplies, CO₂ from occupants, particulate matter from outdoors, and allergens.

In the Australian context, CSIRO research has found that indoor air quality in schools can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, making this a critical area for improvement⁵.

Easy Implementation Ideas

1. Create a "Fresh Air Schedule" Establish a routine for opening windows at specific times during the day (before school, during lunch, after school) for 10-15 minutes. This costs nothing but can dramatically improve air exchange rates.

2. DIY Air Quality Monitoring Simple CO₂ monitors now cost under $50 and can help you identify when ventilation needs improvement. When CO₂ levels exceed 1,000 ppm, it's time to increase fresh air intake. The National Construction Code of Australia recommends keeping CO₂ levels below 850ppm in classrooms⁶.

3. Clean Smart, Not Hard Replace conventional classroom cleaners with simpler non-toxic alternatives and use microfibre cloths that trap particles without chemicals

4. Scheduled Air-Intensive Activities Plan arts and crafts, science experiments, or other activities that might release odours or particles for times when ventilation can be maximised—like before a scheduled window opening or when natural ventilation is highest.

Water Quality Enhancements: Why It Matters

Proper hydration is fundamental to cognitive function, with even mild dehydration impairing attention, memory, and processing speed. Studies show that properly hydrated students can perform better on cognitive tests than dehydrated peers⁷.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines establish some of the highest standards in the world, but delivery systems in older school buildings can still introduce contaminants⁸.

Easy Implementation Ideas

1. Classroom Hydration Station Create a dedicated water area with:

• A large dispenser with a spigot (ideally glass or stainless steel)

• Reusable bottle filling space

• A tracking system encouraging regular water breaks

2. Simple Filtration Solutions Consider:

• Jug-style filters (around $30) can remove many common contaminants

• Tap-mounted filters (around $20-40) that can be installed without maintenance permissions

• Requesting water testing from your education department (many will provide this at no cost to teachers)

3. Hydration Routines: Build regular water breaks into your classroom schedule:

• Morning "water toast" to start the day hydrated

• Pre-lunch water break (drinking before eating improves digestion)

• Post-recess hydration recovery

• "Two before you go" (two sips before leaving the classroom)

4. Educate About Quality Create a simple water quality lesson that doubles as a classroom improvement:

• Test your classroom water with student involvement

• Research local water quality reports as a class project

• Create informational posters about hydration benefits

Optimising Lighting: Why It Matters

Proper lighting synchronises students' circadian rhythms, affecting alertness, mood, and sleep quality later at home. Research has linked optimised natural lighting with faster progress in math and reading comprehension⁹.

With Australia's abundant natural light, there's tremendous opportunity to harness this resource in classrooms while also addressing heat management concerns unique to our climate.

Easy Implementation Ideas

1. Maximise Natural Light

• Rearrange seating to ensure all students receive some natural light exposure

• Keep windows clean (a student job that promotes ownership)

• Use light-coloured, removable window treatments rather than permanent coverings

• Organise classroom layout so walkways are near windows and work areas receive indirect natural light

2. Strategic Supplemental Lighting

• Add 2-3 floor or table lamps with full-spectrum bulbs (under $30 each) for cloudy days

• Create lighting zones (reading corner with warmer light, project area with task lighting)

• Replace cool fluorescent bulbs with full-spectrum alternatives when possible (check with maintenance first)

• Consider LED replacements that meet Australian energy efficiency standards¹⁰

3. DIY Light Diffusion For harsh overhead fluorescents:

• Light covers made from translucent fabric stretched over simple frames

• DIY light filters using safe materials approved by maintenance

• Strategic placement of hanging decorations that softly diffuse overhead light

4. Lighting Schedule Aligned with Learning

• Brighter, cooler light for analytical activities

• Softer, warmer light for creative work

• Natural light for testing periods when possible

• Gradual dimming before quiet activities or day's end

Natural Ventilation Strategies: Why It Matters

Proper ventilation dilutes and removes indoor pollutants while providing oxygen-rich fresh air that supports cognitive function. Classes with adequate ventilation show higher rates of successful task completion¹¹.

Australia's varied climate zones require tailored approaches to ventilation, with special consideration for extreme heat days, bushfire smoke events, and seasonal allergies.

Easy Implementation Ideas

1. Cross-Ventilation Optimisation

• Identify and map airflow patterns in your classroom

• Position fans strategically to enhance natural airflow (2-3 small fans, about $15 each)

• Create a visualisation tool showing optimal window/door positions for different weather conditions

• Consider Australian climate zones when planning (coastal, inland, tropical, temperate)¹²

• Run the ceiling fan as much as possible

• Monitor classroom air quality with simple visual indicators (green/yellow/red) for students to learn when ventilation actions are needed

2. Seasonal Ventilation Plans Create three simple plans:

• Warm weather ventilation (early morning fresh air, midday cooling strategies)

• Cold weather ventilation (shorter, more frequent air exchanges)

• Transition seasons (maximum window use strategies)

• Special protocol for poor air quality days (bushfire season, high pollen counts)

3. Window Maintenance Advocacy

• Document and report windows that don't function properly

• Request simple repairs like weatherstripping or lubrication

• Volunteer for quick fixes that maintenance approves

Getting Started: Your Classroom Assessment

Before implementing changes, take 30 minutes after school to assess your current conditions:

1. Air Quality Baseline

   • Note detectable odours

   • Identify potential pollution sources

   • Check the window functionality

   • Observe air movement (using tissue or ribbon)

2. Water Evaluation

   • Taste and examine classroom water

   • Note temperature, clarity, and odour

   • Identify closest water sources

   • Check for existing filtration

3. Lighting Analysis

   • Map natural light throughout the day (morning/noon/afternoon)

   • Identify glare and shadow areas

   • Note the quality of artificial lighting

   • Look for opportunities for light zoning

4. Ventilation Check

   • Map potential cross-ventilation pathways

   • Identify stagnant air spots

   • Note classroom temperature variations

   • Check HVAC vents for blockages

Prioritise improvements based on:

1. Zero-cost changes (rearrangement, schedules)

2. Low-cost, high-impact additions (plants, basic monitors)

3. Moderate investments with lasting benefits (lamps, filters)

Building Support for Wider Implementation

As you implement changes in your classroom, document the process and any noticeable improvements in student behaviour, attention, or well-being. This evidence becomes powerful when:

Sharing with Colleagues

• Host a simple "healthy classroom open house" during lunch or prep periods

• Create a one-page summary of your changes and observed benefits

• Offer to help colleagues implement one change that resonated with you most

Approaching Administration

• Present specific, data-backed requests rather than general complaints

• Highlight potential cost savings (reduced absenteeism, improved performance)

• Suggest pilot programs that can scale if successful

• Connect improvements to school performance metrics and education department goals

• Reference the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) framework¹³

Communicating with Parents

• Send home a simple newsletter about classroom health improvements

• Request specific support (water bottle donations)

• Share how families can implement similar principles at home

• Invite parent volunteers for specific implementation projects

Involving Students Create classroom jobs related to environmental health:

• Air Quality Monitors who track ventilation schedules

• Hydration Helpers who maintain the water station

• Light Managers who adjust blinds and supplemental lighting

Conclusion

The WELL Building Standard provides an excellent framework for creating healthier learning environments, even when formal certification isn't feasible. By implementing these small, affordable changes in air quality, water access, lighting optimisation, and ventilation strategies, you can significantly improve your classroom's health profile.

The Green Building Council of Australia has recognised the importance of these principles in their Green Star certification program, which shares many goals with the WELL Standard¹⁴.

Remember that incremental progress is still progress. Start with one focus area that seems most pressing for your specific classroom, document your changes, and observe the effects. Small improvements compound over time, creating learning environments where students—and teachers—can thrive.

What small change will you implement first? I'd love to hear about your classroom health journey.

About the Author

I'm the founder and principal designer at Haven, a boutique architecture studio specialising in creating healthy, sustainable spaces that enhance well-being and productivity. With expertise in the WELL Building Standard, biophilic design principles and indoor environmental quality, I help clients transform their spaces into havens that support optimal health.

My passion for healthy interiors developed from understanding how profoundly our built environments affect our physical and mental well-being. As a WELL AP, I focus on creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also function as supportive environments for human health through improved air quality, appropriate lighting, acoustic comfort, and connection to nature.

For more information on creating healthier indoor environments or to discuss how your school might benefit from a consultation, reach out directly at pip@havendesigned.com.au

References

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit. https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/indoor-air-quality-tools-schools-action-kit

2. Barrett, P., et al. (2015). The impact of classroom design on pupils' learning. Building and Environment, 89, 118-133. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132315000700

3. Allen, J.G., et al. (2016). Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(6). https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510037

4. Kim, J., et al. (2019). Indoor environmental quality factors that affect educational outcomes. Building and Environment, 151, 46-59. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132319305347

5. CSIRO. Research on indoor air quality. https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/air-quality

6. Australian Building Codes Board. National Construction Code. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/

7. Riebl, S.K., & Davy, B.M. (2013). The Hydration Equation: Update on Water Balance and Cognitive Performance. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, 17(6), 21-28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207053/

8. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines

9. Heschong Mahone Group. (1999). Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance. https://www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/shared/edusafety/training/pec/daylight/SchoolsCondensed820.pdf

10. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Energy-efficient lighting. https://www.energy.gov.au/households/lighting

11. Mendell, M.J., et al. (2013). Association of classroom ventilation with reduced illness absence. Indoor Air, 23(6), 515-528. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23506393/

12. Australian Government. Your Home: Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable homes - Ventilation. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/ventilation

13. Australian Government Department of the Environment. Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative. https://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/education/aussi

14. Green Building Council of Australia. Green Star. https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/