The need to fully engage parents, students, teachers, and other community members in the planning and design process is an equally important consideration in creating schools that are true centers of communities. Elementary and secondary school enrollments will swell from 52.7 million in 1998 to 54.3 million in 2008. States and localities will need to build thousands of new schools to accommodate the growth by millions of students in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as incoming students over the next decade. Students in school buildings that were in poor condition performed at 6 percent below the achievement level of students in schools that were in fair condition, and 11 percent below students in schools in excellent condition. The Discovery Middle School in Vancouver, Washington, was developed through the extensive involvement of parents, students, educators, architects, business partners, and other community members.
Outside access is available at the school for environmental studies.
The Community Center, a special room near the school's main entrance, reaffirms Discovery Middle School's place within the Vancouver community. The Community Center is dedicated for use by community organizations, school partners, and social service support. Gaylord High School in Gaylord, Michigan, serves as a secondary education institution as well as a community center. Built with the community in mind, the school houses senior activities, day-care, and performing arts programs, allowing students to interact with other members of their community. School officials believe the bond referendum to build the high school would have never passed without the inclusion of community activities.