Schools

Schools That Heal Now Published

The image shows a school surrounded by trees and plants with children playing and reading in the foreground

I’m beyond excited to announce that Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind is now available through Island Press. (Use the code LATANE for a 20% discount. For bulk orders, contact me.) Cover illustration by JT Bills. School drawings by Adrian Tenney. This book is a result of the tremendous support I received from the Landscape Architecture Foundation‘s Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership and the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation‘s Mid-Career Fellowship. Thanks also to the Prevention Institute and Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Landscape Architecture for continued partnership in sharing the deep connections between environment and mental health.

Backed by decades of research, Schools That Heal showcases clear and compelling ways to create schools that support students’ mental health, well-being, and feelings of safety. Now more than ever, we have the opportunity and responsibility to provide welcoming, inclusive school environments that address the traumas a majority of students experience in their lives. With invaluable advice for school administrators, public health experts, teachers, and parents, Schools That Heal is a call to action and a practical resource to envision and implement nurturing and inspiring school environments. Healthy, healing campuses will better prepare students to take care of themselves, their communities, their cities, and their planet.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Manal Aboelata
Preface

Chapter 1: Nine Reasons Why We Should Design Schools with Mental Health in Mind
Chapter 2: How School Environments Shape Mental, Social, and Physical Health
Chapter 3: Site Design Strategies to Support Mental Health, Safety, and Well-Being
Chapter 4: Leveraging Schools for Public Health, Equity, and Climate Resilience
Chapter 5: How to Communicate for the Best Chance at Change
Chapter 6: Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees … Or Does It?
Chapter 7: Ten Schools to Inspire and Guide You
Chapter 8: Conversations on Transformation by Design
Chapter 9: For the Love of Students

Resources
Endnotes
Index

10 schools featured in Chapter 7
Eagle Rock Elementary School. Los Angeles, California
Kesennuma Shiritsu Omise Primary School. Kesennuma, Miyagi. Japan
Sandy Hook Elementary School. Newtown, Connecticut
ASCEND School. Oakland, California
Daniel Webster Middle School. Los Angeles, California
B. Traven Community School. Berlin-Spandau. Germany
Environmental Charter High School. Lawndale, California
George C. Marshall High School. Falls Church, Virginia
Bridges Academy. Studio City, California
Redwood Park Academy. Coshom, Portsmouth. United Kingdom