The sound of learning: Why acoustics are critical in schools

In school districts throughout the country, education leaders are broadening the definition of what makes a classroom truly supportive. Beyond the familiar priorities of lighting, layout and safety, a new dimension is gaining attention: sound. Once overlooked, sound is now recognized as essential to how students learn and how teachers connect.

For decades, acoustics were treated as an afterthought in school design. Today, research is bringing sound to the forefront, recognizing it as a critical factor that directly influences learning, focus and student well-being. At Wold, we help districts design schools where thoughtful acoustic strategies reduce distractions, improve comprehension and create spaces where every student can thrive.

Many studies also indicate that schools with better acoustic design show improved attendance rates and reduced teacher turnover. Following Colorado schools’ adoption of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) acoustic requirements and growing attention from sustainability and wellness programs like LEED, sound is no longer just background noise. It’s recognized as essential to improving comprehension, reducing anxiety and supporting student well-being in learning environments, making acoustics both a practical and compassionate priority in education.

Start with students’ needs

Before designing spaces, it’s important to understand how students experience sound. Academic success isn’t possible when students are distracted by noise or struggling to hear or process information. Background research by Wold shows that poor acoustics can cause students to miss up to 25% of spoken content in noisy classrooms, and every 10-decibel increase in background noise corresponds to a 5-7% drop in comprehension scores.

Students with hearing impairments, learning differences or non-native language backgrounds are disproportionately affected, particularly in areas like Colorado with many Spanish-speaking learners. To be effective, acoustics must be considered from the onset of design planning, as early decisions have lasting impacts on student outcomes. Quiet, intentionally-designed acoustic environments give all students the chance to flourish. Additionally, schools with better sound environments report higher attendance, reduced teacher turnover and stronger engagement across the student body.

Loud and quiet: Balancing a spectrum of sound

Modern schools are moving beyond outdated “padded rooms” toward wellness-focused spaces that support mental health and emotional regulation. Calming areas with soft lighting, beanbags and soothing music provide restorative zones for students who experience sensory overload. These spaces not only reduce stress but also allow students to re-engage in learning with focus and confidence by accommodating a wider range of student needs.

However, schools also need to accommodate active, high-energy areas like gyms, cafeterias and makerspaces, which require different acoustic solutions than quiet zones. Districts can incorporate a layered approach to acoustics by using sound-absorbing materials like acoustic ceiling panels, soft flooring and wall treatments to reduce echo and control noise levels. In flexible multipurpose spaces, movable partitions, sound-rated doors and zoned lighting can help adjust both the volume and the mood of the space, allowing it to seamlessly transition between large assemblies, small group collaboration and quiet, focused work.

Flexible spaces, thoughtful sound

Open-concept designs are increasingly popular, but without careful planning, noisy and quiet zones can interfere with each other. Partial-height walls, lowered ceilings and material variation can create subtle separation that minimizes sound transfer while maintaining visual connections and supervision. The result is a school that feels open, collaborative and supportive – without sacrificing speech clarity or focus.

Every learning space serves a different purpose, and its sound quality should reflect that. Classrooms benefit from short reverberation times that make speech clear and easy to follow. Music rooms, on the other hand, come to life with longer reverberation that adds warmth and fullness. Special education and sensory-support spaces require quiet, calming environments that reduce stress and distraction. By layering these strategies, schools can create inclusive environments where every student’s auditory needs are met, providing them the opportunity to fully engage.

Sound solutions: Where design meets performance

Additional studies show that improved acoustic design can boost student outcomes by up to 16%, while poor acoustics impair speech perception, reading comprehension and cognitive performance. So, what can we do to foster inclusive learning environments through acoustic design?

1. Engage an acoustician: Effective acoustic design starts with early planning and expert input. An acoustician can help define sound performance goals and guide material selections to achieve strong acoustic outcomes while staying efficient with both budget and operations. Leaders at McClave School District have illustrated how to use an acoustician to make every square foot count – balancing budget, flexibility and performance.
   
   During early design discussions stakeholders prioritized learning environments that extend beyond traditional classrooms, featuring high-volume expanded learning areas and dynamic commons to encourage collaboration throughout the school day. Layered acoustic strategies preserve these open, energetic spaces without disruptive noise: ceiling soffits and suspended acoustic clouds divide large volumes into smaller zones, alcoves and breakout niches enable focused small-group work and specialized wall and floor treatments reduce reverberation. These measures allow large gatherings, casual collaboration and quiet study to coexist, maintaining both vibrancy and acoustic balance.
2. Incorporate spatial strategies: Improving existing solutions and integrating technology are all key priorities when planning thoughtful acoustic design in schools. For example, Primero School District demonstrated that even large, flexible spaces can benefit students acoustically when early planning is intentional. Strategic design ensures that quiet zones, study nooks and multipurpose areas can coexist harmoniously, improving student experience and outcomes.
3. Integrate technology: Acoustic performance isn’t just about walls and ceilings. Microphone and speaker systems, real-time sound management tools and amplification solutions help classrooms of all sizes function optimally. At St. Vrain Valley Schools, these technologies enhance clarity and accessibility in classrooms, particularly in larger or acoustically challenging spaces, to support students across all learning levels.
4. Improve existing solutions: Even conventional tools like ACT (Acoustical Ceiling Tiles) ceilings, which are highly effective for sound absorption and masking messes, can be thoughtfully integrated. At Riverview PK-8, the cafeteria uses standard ACT tiles in ways that feel warmer and more visually connected, demonstrating that practical solutions don’t need to feel institutional. Similarly, Cañon City Schools transformed four major school buildings by modernizing learning environments, expanding CTE facilities and building new and improved gymnasiums while implementing acoustic design considerations to provide better-equipped spaces that will empower learning for generations to come.The Cañon Exploratory School addition prioritized transforming the new library and learning commons into an active hub for collaboration, exploration and community gathering. Acoustic clouds and varied soffits balance the space’s vibrancy with quiet study and defined zones for group work, presentations and independent study while complementing the school’s outdoor-inspired aesthetic.
   
   The Cañon Exploratory School addition prioritized transforming the new library and learning commons into an active hub for collaboration, exploration and community gathering. Acoustic clouds and varied soffits balance the space’s vibrancy with quiet study and defined zones for group work, presentations and independent study while complementing the school’s outdoor-inspired aesthetic.
   
   Classroom renovations addressed long-standing acoustic issues, replacing flimsy partitions with sound-insulated walls extended to the structure above, creating private and functionally modern learning environments.

When we design for the future of learning, every student gets a seat at the table. Acoustics are an integral part of creating schools that support today’s students. From classrooms to common spaces, quiet zones to high-energy cafeterias, thoughtful acoustic design increases focus, mental health and well-being among young learners. When districts consider sound alongside lighting, layout and technology, they create environments that are not just functional but genuinely nurturing.

The bottom line: The best learning spaces don’t just look inspiring; they sound supportive.