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Schools are important places. They’re where we send our kids and teenagers to receive an education, make friends, and learn how to cooperate socially. Each student will spend hundreds of hours in school each year, essentially making their classrooms a sort of home away from home.
But schools are also busy, noisy places. Classrooms and hallways are filled with the sounds of activity, conversations, and laughter. While this is what learning and socialization sounds like in action, all that noise can be a serious distraction for many students – particularly those with neurodivergence and unique learning needs.
How can schools continue to provide a vibrant and engaging learning environment for their students without leaving those who need a bit more space for quiet focus behind? One of the simplest, safest, and most versatile solutions is a soundproof booth.
How soundproof booths can add value in the classroom
On their own, soundproof booths already have a lot of scores in the pros column: they’re easy to install, moveable, and cheaper than traditional construction. But what makes them the perfect solution for school settings specifically? Here are a few ways that booths can be used in classrooms from kindergarten straight through high school:
Special accommodations for students with IEPs
Many students with disabilities have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) that describe specific learning modifications and accommodations they need to be successful in school. It’s not uncommon for some of these students to require environmental accommodations to reduce auditory and visual stimulation so they can focus on learning. Soundproof booths are excellent ways of providing quiet and distraction-free areas for those who need extra help focusing on their school work or space for testing accommodations.
Privacy for services like speech therapy, counselling, and remote learning
Some students work directly with professionals who provide specialized services such as speech therapy, counselling, or other personalized education support. While these services are critical for the students’ learning and wellbeing, it can often feel isolating and othering when a child is removed from their classroom and friends to get the one-on-one support they need. With their windowed sides and industry leading soundproofing, booths provide the best of both worlds by giving students and their support providers the privacy they need while allowing them to stay in the same environment as their peers and teacher.
Sensory spaces for mindfulness and decompression
Whether a student is neurodivergent and needs a quiet space to support their wellbeing or they’re simply having a hard day and need a safe space to reset, soundproof booths make ideal sensory rooms in schools. The soundproofing works both ways, keeping external noise out and internal noise in, which means students on either side don’t have to worry about distracting anyone else. Booths can also be outfitted with specialty furniture, dimmable lighting, and stimulus-blocking curtains to create a calm and comfortable retreat for those who need a break from the classroom.
Multimedia studios for creative learning and expression
Video and audio have never been more valuable in education than they are today. There are so many opportunities for students to use digital media in their studies, and it’s a creative medium that helps to keep young minds engaged in learning (not to mention providing them with skills for potential future careers!). By equipping them with the right tech, soundproof booths make perfect dedicated studios for multimedia creation such as video production and audio/podcast recording.
Why soundproof booths are ideal for learning environments
School districts and administrators have a lot to consider when making the right choices for their students. Safety and overall value are high on the checklist when making an investment, so here are some of the reasons why Bureau’s soundproof booths check those needs off:
- Supervision and line of sight: Soundproof booths are compact enough that they can be installed directly in the classroom and their windowed sides and doors mean that students receive privacy without isolation, while allowing teachers to supervise without leaving the class.
- Safety standards and certifications: We’re proud to say that Bureau booths are the world’s most certified soundproof booths, offering the highest levels of certification in safety, electrical, sustainability, quality, and soundproofing. Our safety certifications cover seismic bracing, flame spread, and air quality, ensuring that students are always secure in a Bureau booth.
- ADA considerations: Bureau offers a range of accessible booths, including floorless and wider-door models to improve accessibility for all students while also maintaining the same soundproofing features of our standard booths. We also offer Bureau Belong, a sensory wellbeing kit that allows you to easily transform your booth into an inclusive, sensory-friendly space.
- Durability of investment: Kids are hard on things, which is why you’ll be glad to know that Bureau booths are built to last. Every component is built for durability and can be easily repaired or replaced if needed. The booths are also designed to be easy to maintain and clean.
- Two-way soundproofing: Bureau booths provide soundproofing that works both ways. They offer 30+ decibel soundproofing both inside and out, which means outside noise won’t disrupt students working in a booth, and sounds from within the booth won’t leak out into the classroom. This level of soundproofing means quiet and privacy for everyone.
Ready to find the right fit for your school? Browse Bureau’s full collection of soundproof booths to get started.
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