Students at Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences in Chestnut Hill were recently named the regional winners in the SchoolsNEXT Design Competition, an international program that challenges young people to design “learning environments of the future.”
The competition is organized by the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and encourages students to act as architects and urban planners. The jury, led by Paul Bradshaw of Grimm + Parker Architects, praised the Jenks team for its “clearer real-world impact, feasibility, and depth of community engagement.” In a summary of the …
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Students at Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences in Chestnut Hill were recently named the regional winners in the SchoolsNEXT Design Competition, an international program that challenges young people to design “learning environments of the future.”
The competition is organized by the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and encourages students to act as architects and urban planners. The jury, led by Paul Bradshaw of Grimm + Parker Architects, praised the Jenks team for its “clearer real-world impact, feasibility, and depth of community engagement.” In a summary of the results, jurors noted that the project included phased planning, timelines, and a deep analysis of sustainability, accessibility, and student well-being.
“I am incredibly proud of the depth of the learning process our students embraced,” said Corinne Scioli, principal of Jenks Academy. “They didn’t just design a space; they listened to their community, navigated complex challenges, and grew both as individuals and as a team. Watching their transition from students to professional thinkers has been the most rewarding part of this journey.”
One of the most significant achievements of the Jenks proposal is its immediate viability. Unlike many conceptual entries in the contest, the Jenks team’s work has already resulted in secured grant funding to begin the actual renovation of their learning environment.
The project’s success was made possible through the mentorship of the Jenks faculty, including Jon Tietz, an art teacher and STEM facilitator, whose leadership was instrumental in guiding the students through the complex process.
Laureal Robinson, assistant superintendent for Learning Network 6 in the School District of Philadelphia, expressed high praise for this achievement.
“This is an extraordinary moment for our district,” Robinson said. “I am so deeply proud of these children for their brilliance and their work ethic. Seeing our Philadelphia students succeed at this level is a testament to what happens when we empower them to lead.”
Following their regional victory, in which they bested several other schools, the Jenks team is now preparing to compete at the national level, with the potential to represent Philadelphia at the international finals in Australia.
